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The Runaway Model #1
The Runaway Model
Kyle's music blog gets a boost from rumors about his affair with a closeted rock star, but his followers have no idea of the reality of his life on the streets of Vegas. Men? He only lets them get close enough to pick their pockets.
Until Bryce-- a wildcatter who struck it rich in North Dakota. He wants one last wild weekend without the bodyguards hovering. The hustler with the sexy English accent seems perfect for no-strings sex. But now Bryce can't get Kyle out of his head. Especially since that tempting smile is suddenly on every other magazine cover...
Kyle can steal a heart as easily as a precious sapphire. But can he keep the heart he stole once the truth is out about his past?
If you like contemporary gay romance with real characters in a setting that's a little glitzy and a little gritty, you'll love The Runaway Model. This full-length 75,000 novel is a complete in one volume, and it's absolutely cliffhanger free.
Until Bryce-- a wildcatter who struck it rich in North Dakota. He wants one last wild weekend without the bodyguards hovering. The hustler with the sexy English accent seems perfect for no-strings sex. But now Bryce can't get Kyle out of his head. Especially since that tempting smile is suddenly on every other magazine cover...
Kyle can steal a heart as easily as a precious sapphire. But can he keep the heart he stole once the truth is out about his past?
If you like contemporary gay romance with real characters in a setting that's a little glitzy and a little gritty, you'll love The Runaway Model. This full-length 75,000 novel is a complete in one volume, and it's absolutely cliffhanger free.
280 pages, ebook
First published February 12, 2016
22 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 26, 2016
This is a really hard book to rate, because the first 2/3 of it was pretty good ...edging up to 4. And then it suddenly went *completely* off the rails and stopped making any sense/feeling realistic whatsoever.
It was like if Pretty Woman suddenly turned into Die Hard or something. The book completely switched genres, had zero to do with the relationship between the MCs and suddenly was this unbelievable (in a bad way) action/adventure novel ... complete with total ridiculous crap.
And beyond that fact, it's done TERRIBLY. The author loses all control over PoV (every paragraph suddenly starts leaking a different PoV compared with authorial inserts, it's awful and feels like it was written by a completely different person than the first 2/3).
SO anyway, potentially pretty decent book totally trainwrecks for reasons I can't even figure out (I mean, why the genre switch, author?!) Also, the relationship with the MC goes from interesting and having chemistry and making you want them try to figure out how to have a life together to the author deliberately engineering a fake misunderstanding that leads one MC to think the other's moved on and then, when they meet again, *it doesn't get addressed at all*.
I mean, what even was the point of that? grumbles.
It was like if Pretty Woman suddenly turned into Die Hard or something. The book completely switched genres, had zero to do with the relationship between the MCs and suddenly was this unbelievable (in a bad way) action/adventure novel ... complete with total ridiculous crap.
And beyond that fact, it's done TERRIBLY. The author loses all control over PoV (every paragraph suddenly starts leaking a different PoV compared with authorial inserts, it's awful and feels like it was written by a completely different person than the first 2/3).
SO anyway, potentially pretty decent book totally trainwrecks for reasons I can't even figure out (I mean, why the genre switch, author?!) Also, the relationship with the MC goes from interesting and having chemistry and making you want them try to figure out how to have a life together to the author deliberately engineering a fake misunderstanding that leads one MC to think the other's moved on and then, when they meet again, *it doesn't get addressed at all*.
I mean, what even was the point of that? grumbles.
July 20, 2016
This book!
I've never read anything quite like it and I enjoyed it immensely despite how over the top far-fetched everything is. It's like James Bond meets Miami Vice with homeless assassin teenage models and rock stars thrown in the mix. Sounds crazy right? But it works! This is escapism to the extreme. I love all the exotic locals, accents... Every new experience the author opened me up to.
There were a few eye rolling moments for me but it's to be expected right? After all ass kicking supermodels? Rock stars? An almost billionaire oil tycoon under 30 who has mercenaries on speed dial? What's not to roll your eyes at... As you eagerly turn the next page to read what happens next ;)
*Personal Copy*
I've never read anything quite like it and I enjoyed it immensely despite how over the top far-fetched everything is. It's like James Bond meets Miami Vice with homeless assassin teenage models and rock stars thrown in the mix. Sounds crazy right? But it works! This is escapism to the extreme. I love all the exotic locals, accents... Every new experience the author opened me up to.
There were a few eye rolling moments for me but it's to be expected right? After all ass kicking supermodels? Rock stars? An almost billionaire oil tycoon under 30 who has mercenaries on speed dial? What's not to roll your eyes at... As you eagerly turn the next page to read what happens next ;)
*Personal Copy*
February 16, 2016
Kyle Marchane is being stalked by a teacher at his school. Everywhere Kyle goes, the man is there too and he can't seem to avoid him. The teacher, Roman Nigel, hasn't actually done anything incriminating quite yet, almost as if he knows what he can get away with, as if he's done this before. He stands too close, invades Kyle's space and Kyle's instincts are clearly telling him something is not quite right and he should get as far away from the man as possible,
So Kyle starts skipping school, turns to petty thievery, even taking things he doesn't like or will never use. His one light in the darkness of being stalked is his music blogs and the fandom of Stoney Rockland, his idol. When Stoney himself reblogs some of Kyle's posts, rumours abound on the internet that Kyle and Stoney might be an item. If only it was true, it would be Kyle's dream come true.
But the shadow of Roman Nigel hangs over everything and then he starts dating his mother. Kyle thinks it's a ploy in order to get to him and he runs away from home and to Las Vegas. But even in the USA he isn't safe.
Kyle survives on the streets of Las Vegas for a couple of years, not by selling his body as many do, but by stealing from those men who seem to linger on looking at him a little too long, a little too familiar. Kyle is not for sale, but he feels no qualms about stealing to survive.
Bryce has made his millions in the oil industry, very conservative most of the time and he is not exactly out. He spots Kyle in a piano bar and something about him draws him in. It's not the first time Bryce has picked someone up in a bar for a bit of fun, it's almost expected in Las Vegas. What he didn't expect was how strong his feelings were Kyle were. Even running to his rescue when Roman Nigel turns up again.
He knows he shouldn't get involved, but he can't turn his back on Kyle, no matter what. Not even if it seems like Kyle is in a relationship with a rock-star. How can Bryce compare with that?
This was an amazing story. There was angst, drama, true love, the stalker from hell and one heck of an adventure with Kyle and Bryce.
Kyle was such a lonely soul it shone through from the page, but he wasn't one to sit around moping feeling sorry for himself. He was a fighter and he clawed his way up from the streets of Vegas to be a New York cover model and someone in his own right.
At its heart, I think this is a coming of age tale, both of Kyle and Bryce. Bryce comes to terms with his feelings for Kyle and his own orientation. The two of them were so good together, you just knew this was going to be more than a one night stand.
Even though they spent a lot of the book apart, this is a love story. It's not a romance and chocolates love story, it's more deeper, more emotional than that. Both are damaged characters and help each other heal.
This is not a fluffy read, but it is a compelling one and I was captivated from the first page.
Review copy supplied by author.
So Kyle starts skipping school, turns to petty thievery, even taking things he doesn't like or will never use. His one light in the darkness of being stalked is his music blogs and the fandom of Stoney Rockland, his idol. When Stoney himself reblogs some of Kyle's posts, rumours abound on the internet that Kyle and Stoney might be an item. If only it was true, it would be Kyle's dream come true.
But the shadow of Roman Nigel hangs over everything and then he starts dating his mother. Kyle thinks it's a ploy in order to get to him and he runs away from home and to Las Vegas. But even in the USA he isn't safe.
Kyle survives on the streets of Las Vegas for a couple of years, not by selling his body as many do, but by stealing from those men who seem to linger on looking at him a little too long, a little too familiar. Kyle is not for sale, but he feels no qualms about stealing to survive.
Bryce has made his millions in the oil industry, very conservative most of the time and he is not exactly out. He spots Kyle in a piano bar and something about him draws him in. It's not the first time Bryce has picked someone up in a bar for a bit of fun, it's almost expected in Las Vegas. What he didn't expect was how strong his feelings were Kyle were. Even running to his rescue when Roman Nigel turns up again.
He knows he shouldn't get involved, but he can't turn his back on Kyle, no matter what. Not even if it seems like Kyle is in a relationship with a rock-star. How can Bryce compare with that?
This was an amazing story. There was angst, drama, true love, the stalker from hell and one heck of an adventure with Kyle and Bryce.
Kyle was such a lonely soul it shone through from the page, but he wasn't one to sit around moping feeling sorry for himself. He was a fighter and he clawed his way up from the streets of Vegas to be a New York cover model and someone in his own right.
At its heart, I think this is a coming of age tale, both of Kyle and Bryce. Bryce comes to terms with his feelings for Kyle and his own orientation. The two of them were so good together, you just knew this was going to be more than a one night stand.
Even though they spent a lot of the book apart, this is a love story. It's not a romance and chocolates love story, it's more deeper, more emotional than that. Both are damaged characters and help each other heal.
This is not a fluffy read, but it is a compelling one and I was captivated from the first page.
Review copy supplied by author.
July 5, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.25 stars
The Runaway Model is the first book in a three book series. Though the author claims that this book is cliffhanger free, readers will quickly realize that the story is far from being told and will have to wait to read the second book in order to start getting some answers.
Before I continue this review, I will warn readers that the story contains a child predator, attempted kidnapping, and date rape drugs being given.
The first third of the book deals with Kyle from ages 14 – 16 and his problems with stealing, having a single mom, a predator for a teacher, and his obsession with the rock star Stoney Rockland. I really enjoyed reading about Kyle during these formative years because it gave some insight into why he was the way he was.
Bryce was a much harder character to like. Bryce is obsessed with becoming a billionaire and I was constantly reminded of how rich he was…so much that at times I was picturing him as Ebenezer Scrooge sitting there counting his money. Yet, he did begin to grow on me.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
3.25 stars
The Runaway Model is the first book in a three book series. Though the author claims that this book is cliffhanger free, readers will quickly realize that the story is far from being told and will have to wait to read the second book in order to start getting some answers.
Before I continue this review, I will warn readers that the story contains a child predator, attempted kidnapping, and date rape drugs being given.
The first third of the book deals with Kyle from ages 14 – 16 and his problems with stealing, having a single mom, a predator for a teacher, and his obsession with the rock star Stoney Rockland. I really enjoyed reading about Kyle during these formative years because it gave some insight into why he was the way he was.
Bryce was a much harder character to like. Bryce is obsessed with becoming a billionaire and I was constantly reminded of how rich he was…so much that at times I was picturing him as Ebenezer Scrooge sitting there counting his money. Yet, he did begin to grow on me.
Read Wendy’s review in its entirety here.
July 21, 2016
Title: The Runaway Model
Series: The Runaway Model Book 1
Author: Parker Avrile
Publisher: Paris April Press
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: February 17, 2016
Genre(s): Male/Male Romance
Page Count: 284 pages
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Review:
This is a fun, exciting, interesting story. It is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone book. If you are anything like me, you will want to read book two when you are done. Plot Kyle runs away from his home in Britain. He is running away from his High School teacher that has a habit of popping up wherever Kyle is. When the teacher marries Kyle’s mom Kyle takes off to America and makes his home in Las Vegas. Kyle has his own obsession. Fellow Brit and Rock Star Stoney. Kyle writes a blog about Stoney and his band. He even spent some time with the Rock God, but Kyle was underage and didn’t want to risk getting Stoney into trouble. Hustling his way through the Vegas Strip, Kyle meets Bryce and the share an amazing time together, but again timing is off and signal were crossed. When Kyle’s past starts to catch up with him, Bryce is the one to come to his rescue. Talk about chemistry. This book has it sparking off the pages. Kyle is just so likable. This book is pretty fast paced spanning a few years. There is an exciting ending which leads to the next book. Kyle pretty much stays true to himself even as he grows and realizes that some of his actions were not the brightest. I have already started the second book and all I can say is WOW.
SCORES on a scale of 1-5 Stars rate each of the Following 5 Categories
PLOT: 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 5 Stars
PACING: 4 Stars
ENDING: 5 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 4 Stars
Review Copy of The Runaway Model provided by the Parker Avrile for an honest review. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club
Series: The Runaway Model Book 1
Author: Parker Avrile
Publisher: Paris April Press
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: February 17, 2016
Genre(s): Male/Male Romance
Page Count: 284 pages
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
From street kid to top model...
Kyle's music blog gets a boost from rumors about his affair with a closeted rock star, but his followers have no idea of the reality of his life on the streets of Vegas. Men? He only lets them get close enough to pick their pockets.
Until Bryce-- a wildcatter who struck it rich in North Dakota. He wants one last wild weekend without the bodyguards hovering. The hustler with the sexy English accent seems perfect for no-strings sex. But now Bryce can't get Kyle out of his head. Especially since that tempting smile is suddenly on every other magazine cover...
Kyle can steal a heart as easily as a precious sapphire. But can he keep the heart he stole once the truth is out about his past?
If you like contemporary gay romance with real characters in a setting that's a little glitzy and a little gritty, you'll love The Runaway Model. This full-length 75,000 word story is a complete novel with HFN in one volume, and it's absolutely cliffhanger free. Download it now, and get ready for a wild ride.
Review:
This is a fun, exciting, interesting story. It is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone book. If you are anything like me, you will want to read book two when you are done. Plot Kyle runs away from his home in Britain. He is running away from his High School teacher that has a habit of popping up wherever Kyle is. When the teacher marries Kyle’s mom Kyle takes off to America and makes his home in Las Vegas. Kyle has his own obsession. Fellow Brit and Rock Star Stoney. Kyle writes a blog about Stoney and his band. He even spent some time with the Rock God, but Kyle was underage and didn’t want to risk getting Stoney into trouble. Hustling his way through the Vegas Strip, Kyle meets Bryce and the share an amazing time together, but again timing is off and signal were crossed. When Kyle’s past starts to catch up with him, Bryce is the one to come to his rescue. Talk about chemistry. This book has it sparking off the pages. Kyle is just so likable. This book is pretty fast paced spanning a few years. There is an exciting ending which leads to the next book. Kyle pretty much stays true to himself even as he grows and realizes that some of his actions were not the brightest. I have already started the second book and all I can say is WOW.
SCORES on a scale of 1-5 Stars rate each of the Following 5 Categories
PLOT: 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 5 Stars
PACING: 4 Stars
ENDING: 5 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 4 Stars
Review Copy of The Runaway Model provided by the Parker Avrile for an honest review. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club
March 8, 2016
3.5 Heart Review by Kat
This is the first novel by new author Parker Avrile. I have to admit, it started off really slowly and I had no idea where she was going with this book. I went back to the book blurb and kept wondering if this really was the same book. The book was suppose to be in Vegas but it was somewhere in England, I believe, and it was a 14-year-old school boy. Add to the fact that they were speaking in thick English slang that I had no idea what they were saying. It wasn’t until part way through the third chapter that they were finally in America. The book picks up at this point some, then it finally had legs and became the book I was interested in. But there is way more to this story than the blurb lets on. The book has dangerous situations and harrowing events that kept me interested from that point on. I believe that the writer finally found her stride and I became interested in the MC’s and what was happening to them.
I know that the blurb states that this is a full-length complete novel that is cliffhanger free, but I don’t agree. First of all, it is the first in a three-part series. Secondly, she includes the first chapter of book two at the end of the story and it is a total cliffhanger! I suppose that you could end the story at the end of book one and think it is one of those “the MC’s fade to gray and you don’t know the rest of their story”. But that is not an option with the inclusion of the beginning of the next book. Now I have to sit and wait to find out what is going to happen to both Bryce and Kyle…ugh!!!! I so dislike cliffhangers! I am hoping that I just don’t have to wait long because I despise waiting for the next book in the series. That is the reason I don’t usually start new series, I just wait until they have all been published and read them straight through. With the volume of novels I read weekly, usually 5-7 books per week, it is difficult to remember the storyline when I have waited too long. We will just have wait and see how long I really have to wait.
So, now to the part that you are waiting for, do I recommend it or not. I do. Even though I almost DNF, I stuck with it because I am not a quitter and I am glad I did. Once the book got rolling, it really was good. You were held captive to where it was going after if finally hooked you. It just took a bit longer to get there. I know my rating seems a bit harsh, but that was due to the first several chapters. I realize that back story was needed, but it just didn’t grab me and almost made me stop. Also, the heavy northern English slang put me off a bit. But, I am looking forward to the next book.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
This is the first novel by new author Parker Avrile. I have to admit, it started off really slowly and I had no idea where she was going with this book. I went back to the book blurb and kept wondering if this really was the same book. The book was suppose to be in Vegas but it was somewhere in England, I believe, and it was a 14-year-old school boy. Add to the fact that they were speaking in thick English slang that I had no idea what they were saying. It wasn’t until part way through the third chapter that they were finally in America. The book picks up at this point some, then it finally had legs and became the book I was interested in. But there is way more to this story than the blurb lets on. The book has dangerous situations and harrowing events that kept me interested from that point on. I believe that the writer finally found her stride and I became interested in the MC’s and what was happening to them.
I know that the blurb states that this is a full-length complete novel that is cliffhanger free, but I don’t agree. First of all, it is the first in a three-part series. Secondly, she includes the first chapter of book two at the end of the story and it is a total cliffhanger! I suppose that you could end the story at the end of book one and think it is one of those “the MC’s fade to gray and you don’t know the rest of their story”. But that is not an option with the inclusion of the beginning of the next book. Now I have to sit and wait to find out what is going to happen to both Bryce and Kyle…ugh!!!! I so dislike cliffhangers! I am hoping that I just don’t have to wait long because I despise waiting for the next book in the series. That is the reason I don’t usually start new series, I just wait until they have all been published and read them straight through. With the volume of novels I read weekly, usually 5-7 books per week, it is difficult to remember the storyline when I have waited too long. We will just have wait and see how long I really have to wait.
So, now to the part that you are waiting for, do I recommend it or not. I do. Even though I almost DNF, I stuck with it because I am not a quitter and I am glad I did. Once the book got rolling, it really was good. You were held captive to where it was going after if finally hooked you. It just took a bit longer to get there. I know my rating seems a bit harsh, but that was due to the first several chapters. I realize that back story was needed, but it just didn’t grab me and almost made me stop. Also, the heavy northern English slang put me off a bit. But, I am looking forward to the next book.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
July 6, 2016
Title: The Runaway Model
Author: Parker Avrile
Series: The Runaway Model, Volume 1
Publisher: Paris April Press
Reviewer: Melissa
Release Date: February 17, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Romance
Page Count: 280
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Review:
“With his right hand he took hold of Bryce’s chin and gazed steadily into his eyes. Bryce felt exposed. It was obvious how much he desired Kyle. But was it obvious that his feelings were more than just desire?”
4 steal my heart stars!!! Oh wow, I’m in love
Kyle is a in high school and he’s seemed to attract the attention of his teacher. Everywhere Kyle goes, there he is. So when his teacher ends up in his house with him mother, he runs away to Vegas. At the age of 16 he starts working for a music blog, and he stays afloat by pick pocketing. While doing this he meet Bryce, a wildcatter, who’s also a millionaire. They share one hot and heavy weekend together and go their own way. Will these two leave it to just a fling or do they both want more?
This book had its moments where it broke my heart and other times, where I just fell in love/lust. I loved Kyle and while his story seems a little far fetched, I can see this happening to someone. It’s probably not that strange in this day and age. I loved the relationship between Kyle and Bryce and the connection they shared! Great start to the series. Can’t wait to see what else comes from it!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
Author: Parker Avrile
Series: The Runaway Model, Volume 1
Publisher: Paris April Press
Reviewer: Melissa
Release Date: February 17, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Romance
Page Count: 280
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Kyle's music blog gets a boost from rumors about his affair with a closeted rock star, but his followers have no idea of the reality of his life on the streets of Vegas. Men? He only lets them get close enough to pick their pockets.
Until Bryce-- a wildcatter who struck it rich in North Dakota. He wants one last wild weekend without the bodyguards hovering. The hustler with the sexy English accent seems perfect for no-strings sex. But now Bryce can't get Kyle out of his head. Especially since that tempting smile is suddenly on every other magazine cover...
Kyle can steal a heart as easily as a precious sapphire. But can he keep the heart he stole once the truth is out about his past?
Review:
“With his right hand he took hold of Bryce’s chin and gazed steadily into his eyes. Bryce felt exposed. It was obvious how much he desired Kyle. But was it obvious that his feelings were more than just desire?”
4 steal my heart stars!!! Oh wow, I’m in love
Kyle is a in high school and he’s seemed to attract the attention of his teacher. Everywhere Kyle goes, there he is. So when his teacher ends up in his house with him mother, he runs away to Vegas. At the age of 16 he starts working for a music blog, and he stays afloat by pick pocketing. While doing this he meet Bryce, a wildcatter, who’s also a millionaire. They share one hot and heavy weekend together and go their own way. Will these two leave it to just a fling or do they both want more?
This book had its moments where it broke my heart and other times, where I just fell in love/lust. I loved Kyle and while his story seems a little far fetched, I can see this happening to someone. It’s probably not that strange in this day and age. I loved the relationship between Kyle and Bryce and the connection they shared! Great start to the series. Can’t wait to see what else comes from it!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
April 7, 2016
I was given a copy of this book free by the author in exchange for an unbiased review.
Kyle is 14 and is the attention of one of his teachers. Mr Nigel appears everywhere that Kyle goes and somehow manages to get in with his mother. Kyle then runs away.
I enjoyed the majority of this story. It was a little hard for me to suspend belief that Kyle was able to travel from Manchester to Vegas as he did. I know he was a thief but all I kept thinking was really? He would have enough for the fare etc. One minute he was in Manchester and then he was in a hotel in Vegas.
I loved his interaction with Bryce. Not so keen on Stoney. The book read at just the right pace for me.
I was good and didn't read the 1st chapter of book 2. As book 3 isn't available yet, I am going to wait to read both books one after the other. Book 1 leaves Kyle and Bryce hopefully giving in to whats between them and that's good enough for me for the present time.
Kyle is 14 and is the attention of one of his teachers. Mr Nigel appears everywhere that Kyle goes and somehow manages to get in with his mother. Kyle then runs away.
I enjoyed the majority of this story. It was a little hard for me to suspend belief that Kyle was able to travel from Manchester to Vegas as he did. I know he was a thief but all I kept thinking was really? He would have enough for the fare etc. One minute he was in Manchester and then he was in a hotel in Vegas.
I loved his interaction with Bryce. Not so keen on Stoney. The book read at just the right pace for me.
I was good and didn't read the 1st chapter of book 2. As book 3 isn't available yet, I am going to wait to read both books one after the other. Book 1 leaves Kyle and Bryce hopefully giving in to whats between them and that's good enough for me for the present time.
November 8, 2020
This was an odd book to be honest. It started out really good and I liked how disjointed the text was, as it made it really seem like a 14 year old with the subject changes so quickly and just the speaking. I liked Kyle immediately and just wanted Nigel to leave him alone. Spoiler, Nigel never leaves Kyle alone. So ya Kyle runs away to Vegas and starts really blogging about a musician named Stoney. He is pretty obsessed with him. So his life for two years is just following Stoney’s concerts and blogging about them and being a hustler. Then we meet Bryce, millionaire who is smitten with Kyle. Well they have a crazy weekend and that’s really it. Then Kyle goes to New York and starts modeling. Then a bunch of craziness happens with Nigel and Stoney and Bryce saves the day. Then it ends with Kyle proclaiming him and Bryce have something...not really a cliffhanger, but the resolution was so abrupt it felt it. So there is a second book. Imma sit on this one for a bit.
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May 29, 2017I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Runaway Model is a gay romance that while not particularly profound invests in its characters only to shift genres entirely about two thirds into it. This jarring shift, from love story to thriller, does a disservice to the novel as a whole as it stretches the credibility of the plot almost to the point of absurdity.
What the novel does best is its immersion in its cast, namely the two main characters: Kyle, the young English runaway who veers on sheer deliquency when he runs off to the States in order to avoid the advances of an older man; and Bryce, the budding oil tycoon with a dark past involving his parents' addiction to alcohol. These characters are fairly well fleshed out and the narrative approach of letting their inner dialogue dominate the story-telling gives a sense of immediacy that can be very compelling. The effect is that of a first person narration in a third person one and it is further reinforced by switching points of view so that both Kyle and Bryce come across as fully functioning people in-universe.
Unfortunately this vivid sense of realism does not extend to the supporting cast and is almost entirely lacking when it comes to atmosphere. All other characters other than Kyle and Bryce are borderline cameos and even Stoney Rockland, the aptly named rockstar with whom Kyle is so infatuated, is little more than a functioning cliché. Stoney is described entirely from an outside perspective, the reader never has direct access to his mental states. This may be deliberate, though, as by his celebrity status makes it virtually impossible to fully comprehend his inner workings: as Kyle comes to realize, all the knows about Stoney has been manufactured.
As for 'atmosphere' I mean a collection of key issues that the novel merely alludes to when they ought to be at the heart of it. Kyle's modelling career, for example, happens mostly outside the narrative proper. There is so little detail that it comes across as rushed. Stoney's music is also largely marginalized despite the fact that it is central to Kyle's character yet the reader knows preciously little of it other than it is 'rock', a very vague term. This vagueness also adds to Stoney remaining an opaque figure. It is worth noting that perhaps against all odds it is Byrce's job as an oil tycoon that gets quite a bit of development which is laudable, in a way, since it is by far the less glamorous occupation.
'Atmosphere' also covers a not too clear sense of location. For a novel that spans so many different places such as a small town in the Northern UK to Las Vegas and New York there is precious little description of surroundings. This is in stark contrast to the frequent and very detailed physical descriptions that punctuate the novel.
Runaway Model is first and foremost a love story and its central relationship enhances the plot but at times creates pacing issues. Kyle and Bryce's first encounter, for example, is long and detailed as opposed to virtually all of Kyle's career as a petty thief in Vegas. Focusing on the romantic element is perfectly understandable but in this case it keeps the novel from having a greater reach as the experience of living in the streets of such a harsh city, if written convincingly, would make for a much deeper reading experience.
The sexual aspect of the relationship is fully developed through a few highly descriptive scenes that get the point across despite being borderline silly on occasion. But they are necessary and have their place in the story even if they are not frequent enough to count as full fledged erotica.
Overall, this is not a bad novel. It manages to interest in reader in its main characters and to care for their relationship. It has an interesting pick of cast with everyone veering on the verge of being greater than what they could be so there is plenty of potential for the sequel. Readers expecting a hot, not too shallow but not too complex gay love story that tackles some important issues without getting too deep or overly dramatic should give it a try. A more demanding readership, however, may be a bit disappointed.
Runaway Model is a gay romance that while not particularly profound invests in its characters only to shift genres entirely about two thirds into it. This jarring shift, from love story to thriller, does a disservice to the novel as a whole as it stretches the credibility of the plot almost to the point of absurdity.
What the novel does best is its immersion in its cast, namely the two main characters: Kyle, the young English runaway who veers on sheer deliquency when he runs off to the States in order to avoid the advances of an older man; and Bryce, the budding oil tycoon with a dark past involving his parents' addiction to alcohol. These characters are fairly well fleshed out and the narrative approach of letting their inner dialogue dominate the story-telling gives a sense of immediacy that can be very compelling. The effect is that of a first person narration in a third person one and it is further reinforced by switching points of view so that both Kyle and Bryce come across as fully functioning people in-universe.
Unfortunately this vivid sense of realism does not extend to the supporting cast and is almost entirely lacking when it comes to atmosphere. All other characters other than Kyle and Bryce are borderline cameos and even Stoney Rockland, the aptly named rockstar with whom Kyle is so infatuated, is little more than a functioning cliché. Stoney is described entirely from an outside perspective, the reader never has direct access to his mental states. This may be deliberate, though, as by his celebrity status makes it virtually impossible to fully comprehend his inner workings: as Kyle comes to realize, all the knows about Stoney has been manufactured.
As for 'atmosphere' I mean a collection of key issues that the novel merely alludes to when they ought to be at the heart of it. Kyle's modelling career, for example, happens mostly outside the narrative proper. There is so little detail that it comes across as rushed. Stoney's music is also largely marginalized despite the fact that it is central to Kyle's character yet the reader knows preciously little of it other than it is 'rock', a very vague term. This vagueness also adds to Stoney remaining an opaque figure. It is worth noting that perhaps against all odds it is Byrce's job as an oil tycoon that gets quite a bit of development which is laudable, in a way, since it is by far the less glamorous occupation.
'Atmosphere' also covers a not too clear sense of location. For a novel that spans so many different places such as a small town in the Northern UK to Las Vegas and New York there is precious little description of surroundings. This is in stark contrast to the frequent and very detailed physical descriptions that punctuate the novel.
Runaway Model is first and foremost a love story and its central relationship enhances the plot but at times creates pacing issues. Kyle and Bryce's first encounter, for example, is long and detailed as opposed to virtually all of Kyle's career as a petty thief in Vegas. Focusing on the romantic element is perfectly understandable but in this case it keeps the novel from having a greater reach as the experience of living in the streets of such a harsh city, if written convincingly, would make for a much deeper reading experience.
The sexual aspect of the relationship is fully developed through a few highly descriptive scenes that get the point across despite being borderline silly on occasion. But they are necessary and have their place in the story even if they are not frequent enough to count as full fledged erotica.
Overall, this is not a bad novel. It manages to interest in reader in its main characters and to care for their relationship. It has an interesting pick of cast with everyone veering on the verge of being greater than what they could be so there is plenty of potential for the sequel. Readers expecting a hot, not too shallow but not too complex gay love story that tackles some important issues without getting too deep or overly dramatic should give it a try. A more demanding readership, however, may be a bit disappointed.
April 29, 2016
Reviewed by Brandyjo Newton for QUEERcentric Books
I was blown away by The Runaway Model by Parker Avrile.
THE WRITING SEEMED TO COME FROM A WELL-SEASONED WRITER.
I hadn’t heard of this particular author before, and after reading this I came to be even more impressed that this book seems to be the first publication. That alone is admirable, considering the writing seemed to come from a well-seasoned writer.
This book had a slow build up that just kept growing and growing until it all exploded into the end. Could not put it down once I started reading it.
The most interesting MC I’ve read to date has got to be Kyle Marchane. Seriously? This guy is amazing in his flight or fight instincts. He managed to save not only himself, but also his mother in what seemed to be an almost impossible situation.
I can’t even begin to sing Kyle’s praises for getting out of there. Regardless of the things he had to do to survive, he still kept his head and remained true to himself. Mad respect for that. Not every street kid could be as persevering as Kyle, and get to where he did.
I felt that Bryce was a little lost in Kyle’s shadow throughout the book. A self-made millionaire, he can’t shake the pull Kyle seems to have on him, and he’s in and out of Kyle’s story repeatedly. He’s a very good guy, showing up like a white knight while Kyle figures out his way in the world. I loved him with Bryce, and I’m happy that they got to meet up so often.
The world build up was done wonderfully, I’m from the southwest so the fact that part of the story took place right next door to where I live made me critical to the details. They were spot on and I felt like I was in Las Vegas with them.
EVERY STEP OF THE WAY WAS CAPTIVATING.
Silently walking beside Kyle as he landed and met Michel, ate in a food court with him for the first time, and sat by the bar and watched him meet Bryce for the first time. Every step of the way was captivating.
I love a book that can draw me in and the stalking had my heart racing every time Nigel showed up seemingly out of nowhere.
The characters are amazingly detailed and felt so real, the story was suspenseful and made me keep turning the pages faster and faster until I swear my eyes got whiplash. It draws you in and holds you in a death grip until you reach the end and then it’s pushes you violently away making you beg for more.
Great first book by a new author and I am highly anticipating the next book in this new series!
I was blown away by The Runaway Model by Parker Avrile.
THE WRITING SEEMED TO COME FROM A WELL-SEASONED WRITER.
I hadn’t heard of this particular author before, and after reading this I came to be even more impressed that this book seems to be the first publication. That alone is admirable, considering the writing seemed to come from a well-seasoned writer.
This book had a slow build up that just kept growing and growing until it all exploded into the end. Could not put it down once I started reading it.
The most interesting MC I’ve read to date has got to be Kyle Marchane. Seriously? This guy is amazing in his flight or fight instincts. He managed to save not only himself, but also his mother in what seemed to be an almost impossible situation.
I can’t even begin to sing Kyle’s praises for getting out of there. Regardless of the things he had to do to survive, he still kept his head and remained true to himself. Mad respect for that. Not every street kid could be as persevering as Kyle, and get to where he did.
I felt that Bryce was a little lost in Kyle’s shadow throughout the book. A self-made millionaire, he can’t shake the pull Kyle seems to have on him, and he’s in and out of Kyle’s story repeatedly. He’s a very good guy, showing up like a white knight while Kyle figures out his way in the world. I loved him with Bryce, and I’m happy that they got to meet up so often.
The world build up was done wonderfully, I’m from the southwest so the fact that part of the story took place right next door to where I live made me critical to the details. They were spot on and I felt like I was in Las Vegas with them.
EVERY STEP OF THE WAY WAS CAPTIVATING.
Silently walking beside Kyle as he landed and met Michel, ate in a food court with him for the first time, and sat by the bar and watched him meet Bryce for the first time. Every step of the way was captivating.
I love a book that can draw me in and the stalking had my heart racing every time Nigel showed up seemingly out of nowhere.
The characters are amazingly detailed and felt so real, the story was suspenseful and made me keep turning the pages faster and faster until I swear my eyes got whiplash. It draws you in and holds you in a death grip until you reach the end and then it’s pushes you violently away making you beg for more.
Great first book by a new author and I am highly anticipating the next book in this new series!
April 16, 2016
I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads M/M Romance Group’s Don’t Buy My Love’s review program in exchange for an honest review.
Kyle Marchane runs away to Vegas from Manchester, England at the age of sixteen in order to get away from his sleazy teacher, Roman Nigel, who sets his sights on Kyle’s mom. He’s able to get by without selling his body thanks to the skills he’s learned in pick pocketing and small time thieving. He also has caught the attention of rock star Stoney Rockland with the music blogs he writes. He begin following Stoney and starts a music blog dedicated to him. Kyle meets up with Bryce while in a Vegas casino and they are immediately attracted to each other. Bryce wants Kyle to stay with him but Kyle is still chasing after Stoney. Kyle ends up in trouble and Bryce helps him out, but Kyle is still hung up on Stoney. When Kyle yet again needs Bryce’s help to save Stoney, Bryce uses all of his considerable resources to basically call up a military operation to save Stoney. When all of the truths come out in the end though, Kyle realizes that Bryce is the one true love for him.
I felt like this story was a little bit disjointed, or as if we were zipping quickly from one plot to the next. It seemed a bit busy. We had Kyle chasing after Stoney and Roman chasing after Kyle, and then Bryce wanted Kyle but Stoney was in the way. But suddenly Bryce controls an entire military operation. I felt like that was a little bit of a far stretch. The story is entertaining, just be prepared to possibly feel like you need to keep up with a number of elements. I did think Kyle and Bryce were hot together. I would recommend it to others, as I thought it was an overall good story.
Kyle Marchane runs away to Vegas from Manchester, England at the age of sixteen in order to get away from his sleazy teacher, Roman Nigel, who sets his sights on Kyle’s mom. He’s able to get by without selling his body thanks to the skills he’s learned in pick pocketing and small time thieving. He also has caught the attention of rock star Stoney Rockland with the music blogs he writes. He begin following Stoney and starts a music blog dedicated to him. Kyle meets up with Bryce while in a Vegas casino and they are immediately attracted to each other. Bryce wants Kyle to stay with him but Kyle is still chasing after Stoney. Kyle ends up in trouble and Bryce helps him out, but Kyle is still hung up on Stoney. When Kyle yet again needs Bryce’s help to save Stoney, Bryce uses all of his considerable resources to basically call up a military operation to save Stoney. When all of the truths come out in the end though, Kyle realizes that Bryce is the one true love for him.
I felt like this story was a little bit disjointed, or as if we were zipping quickly from one plot to the next. It seemed a bit busy. We had Kyle chasing after Stoney and Roman chasing after Kyle, and then Bryce wanted Kyle but Stoney was in the way. But suddenly Bryce controls an entire military operation. I felt like that was a little bit of a far stretch. The story is entertaining, just be prepared to possibly feel like you need to keep up with a number of elements. I did think Kyle and Bryce were hot together. I would recommend it to others, as I thought it was an overall good story.
March 31, 2017
3.5 stars but intriguing.
This was a bit of a difficult writing style for me. The story was interesting. There's a multi-millionaire and a runaway, England-to-Vegas, music-blogger, hustler boy turned model, but it's nothing like any of the trope-y, rich man-poor boy novels that seem to get turned out.
The time frames and characters seem to jump from one scene to the next. It's a little disorienting and made me wonder just where the story was headed. But there's some depth to the characters within each scenario. There's no simple, easy romance going on here. It was really hard to see why Bryce jumped to help Kyle, twice, based only their relatively brief interactions. It's also hard to get a complete read on Kyle's character but you can tell he's not just a hardened street-wise kid.
There's a quite suspenseful aspect to the latter half of the book. It felt very far-fetched in many ways. Book two is coming, as there were lots of threads left hanging. What will happen with Bryce and Kyle, or Kyle and Stoney, the rock star? What has happened to Kyle's friend Michel? It wasn't a cliff-hanger, but certainly needs completion.
I re-read my review after posting and realized it sounded more negative that I meant it to be. (There's a reason I'm a reader, not an author.) The writing style was different for me but it's not a bad thing, just different. It was a different FEEL than I'm used to. Bryce's attraction to Kyle was hard to see but Bryce himself didn't quite know why. I did like it and will read more!
This was a bit of a difficult writing style for me. The story was interesting. There's a multi-millionaire and a runaway, England-to-Vegas, music-blogger, hustler boy turned model, but it's nothing like any of the trope-y, rich man-poor boy novels that seem to get turned out.
The time frames and characters seem to jump from one scene to the next. It's a little disorienting and made me wonder just where the story was headed. But there's some depth to the characters within each scenario. There's no simple, easy romance going on here. It was really hard to see why Bryce jumped to help Kyle, twice, based only their relatively brief interactions. It's also hard to get a complete read on Kyle's character but you can tell he's not just a hardened street-wise kid.
There's a quite suspenseful aspect to the latter half of the book. It felt very far-fetched in many ways. Book two is coming, as there were lots of threads left hanging. What will happen with Bryce and Kyle, or Kyle and Stoney, the rock star? What has happened to Kyle's friend Michel? It wasn't a cliff-hanger, but certainly needs completion.
I re-read my review after posting and realized it sounded more negative that I meant it to be. (There's a reason I'm a reader, not an author.) The writing style was different for me but it's not a bad thing, just different. It was a different FEEL than I'm used to. Bryce's attraction to Kyle was hard to see but Bryce himself didn't quite know why. I did like it and will read more!
March 3, 2016
I think the author did a great job of pulling the reader in at the beginning of the book with an interesting back story for her main character. I mean a teacher, stalker that's insinuating himself into a teenager's life through his single mother is just creepy and a wonderful way to set up a villain for the story's over all arc.
I loved Avrile's use of regional dialect through Kyle and Stoney's dialog and think it adds a depth to the story that makes her characters believable and her world richer. She paints a vivid picture of life as a petty criminal on the Las Vegas strip through Kyle and his friends.
The author kept me guessing through most of the book as to which of the men Kyle would actually end up with - the rock star or the oil tycoon. If I had one bone to pick with this story it would be that Bryce, the oil tycoon, came off as a little cold and somewhat unlikable.
The action at the end of the book was well paced but did come a bit out of the blue for me. I guess since I have no idea what someone with millions of dollars has access to in the way of putting a rescue team together, I just chose to go with it and suspend whatever disbelief I had in one man riding to the other's rescue in such a fantastical way.
Overall it was an interesting read that held my attention and left me looking forward to the next chapter in Kyle's life.
Review copy supplied by author.
I loved Avrile's use of regional dialect through Kyle and Stoney's dialog and think it adds a depth to the story that makes her characters believable and her world richer. She paints a vivid picture of life as a petty criminal on the Las Vegas strip through Kyle and his friends.
The author kept me guessing through most of the book as to which of the men Kyle would actually end up with - the rock star or the oil tycoon. If I had one bone to pick with this story it would be that Bryce, the oil tycoon, came off as a little cold and somewhat unlikable.
The action at the end of the book was well paced but did come a bit out of the blue for me. I guess since I have no idea what someone with millions of dollars has access to in the way of putting a rescue team together, I just chose to go with it and suspend whatever disbelief I had in one man riding to the other's rescue in such a fantastical way.
Overall it was an interesting read that held my attention and left me looking forward to the next chapter in Kyle's life.
Review copy supplied by author.
February 16, 2016
It was a good different book
June 27, 2016
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Parker for gifting me with this story.
Characters: 4.5
Plot: 4
Plot execution: 3.7
Believability: 3
Overall: 3.8 stars, rounding up to 4.
The book summary does not truly explain the full plot of the book. Yes, Kyle is a music blogger, but that's not how the story begins. Kyle is 14 when we meet him, and he is troubled. He lives in England(?) with his "mum," and he is being harassed by his math teacher (creepy guy). Nigel doesn't touch him really, he just always seems to show up wherever Kyle is. He says things to Kyle that are just goose bump provoking. Kyle doesn't tell anybody about his stalker teacher because he doesn't think anyone will believe him. He's already got a reputation for lying (telling stories), and he doesn't think anyone will believe him, especially since Nigel hasn't really done anything. Kyle earns money by doing odd jobs around the neighborhood, but he also helps himself to some of the trinkets and money the people leave around. He figures if the people are careless enough to leave the stuff lying around, they are just asking for Kyle to take it. And nobody ever confronts him about the missing items.
Kyle's blogging is a way for him to just escape and be free of worries. He blogs about just one musician, Stoney Rockland, whose also from the same area as Kyle. Kyle and his friend follow Stoney's music tour as much as they can.
Kyle puts up with Nigel's stalking for 2 years, but when Nigel befriends his mother, Kyle can't take it anymore. He's 16 now and he runs away to America, Vegas specifically. There he meets another troubled teen, Michel, only a year older than him; he's from Canada. Even though there is a language barrier at first, Michel teaches Kyle the trade of Vegas - there are cameras everywhere so you have to be careful where you pickpocket from, things like that. Kyle moves into the place Michel shares with 2 other boys and the two share a bed. Not in a sexual way because Michel was abused in his past (he doesn't go into great detail at first), and when Michel has nightmares Kyle comforts him. They love each other, but as friends.
In Vegas, Kyle's blogging really takes off and he manages to meet the rocker in person one night and while Kyle is only 16, Stoney invites Kyle to his hotel. See, Stoney is gay but in the closet because his management team wants it that way (and so does Stoney in a way because he doesn't think fans will come out to see a gay rocker). Also, Stoney thinks Kyle is 21. Kyle knows that because he really is only 16, if word got out that Stoney had had sex with him, it would cause his music idol to really get into trouble. So while in the hotel room, Kyle leaves Stoney drunk in the room and runs off (he takes the rockers sapphire ring too, with the promise to himself to return the ring to Stoney when Kyle is 18 and legal).
The writing does go from one subject to another really quick, it's kind of jarring at first but eventually I got used to the quick topic/person/place/time change. It certainly helped move the story along.
2 year time jump and now Kyle is 18 and meets Bryce (a rich oil man from Texas) in a bar; again, Kyle is assumed to be 21. Bryce feels a connection to Kyle and while he isn't 100% convinced Kyle is 21 (he looks and acts so young), the fact that he wear an arm band for the bar showing he is 21, Bryce goes with it. Bryce invites Kyle to his hotel room, copious sex ensues, and then Bryce learns Kyle is 18. It's weird how this all came about and the results that follow. Bryce doesn't want Kyle to leave, but Kyle has to go to Stoney's next concert.
Kyle's stalker finds him at a Stoney concert and drugs him but the concert guards stop Nigel from taking Kyle. Nigel gets away, and Kyle manages to give the guards Bryce's contact info. Bryce rushes to Kyle on his private jet (hey, millionaire folks; he can do that). Stoney hears about a fan being assaulted at his concert and goes to see him. Kyle is out of it because he was drugged by his stalker, and fails to realize Stoney is upset with him; he recognizes the sapphire ring that Kyle is wearing on his pinky and is furious with Kyle. The next day Kyle doesn't really remember what happened and doesn't believe Bryce when he tells him how furious Stoney is.
Kyle is barred from attending any Stoney concerts in the future. I'm going to skip ahead.
See spoiler above.
There is a lot of jumping around in the plot that can get a little confusing, and there are times where the believability factor is seriously suspended, but overall it was a good story. There is a happy for now ending, and Bryce and Kyle jet off together into the night. This ends my confusing review. ;)
Thank you Parker for gifting me with this story.
Characters: 4.5
Plot: 4
Plot execution: 3.7
Believability: 3
Overall: 3.8 stars, rounding up to 4.
The book summary does not truly explain the full plot of the book. Yes, Kyle is a music blogger, but that's not how the story begins. Kyle is 14 when we meet him, and he is troubled. He lives in England(?) with his "mum," and he is being harassed by his math teacher (creepy guy). Nigel doesn't touch him really, he just always seems to show up wherever Kyle is. He says things to Kyle that are just goose bump provoking. Kyle doesn't tell anybody about his stalker teacher because he doesn't think anyone will believe him. He's already got a reputation for lying (telling stories), and he doesn't think anyone will believe him, especially since Nigel hasn't really done anything. Kyle earns money by doing odd jobs around the neighborhood, but he also helps himself to some of the trinkets and money the people leave around. He figures if the people are careless enough to leave the stuff lying around, they are just asking for Kyle to take it. And nobody ever confronts him about the missing items.
Kyle's blogging is a way for him to just escape and be free of worries. He blogs about just one musician, Stoney Rockland, whose also from the same area as Kyle. Kyle and his friend follow Stoney's music tour as much as they can.
Kyle puts up with Nigel's stalking for 2 years, but when Nigel befriends his mother, Kyle can't take it anymore. He's 16 now and he runs away to America, Vegas specifically. There he meets another troubled teen, Michel, only a year older than him; he's from Canada. Even though there is a language barrier at first, Michel teaches Kyle the trade of Vegas - there are cameras everywhere so you have to be careful where you pickpocket from, things like that. Kyle moves into the place Michel shares with 2 other boys and the two share a bed. Not in a sexual way because Michel was abused in his past (he doesn't go into great detail at first), and when Michel has nightmares Kyle comforts him. They love each other, but as friends.
In Vegas, Kyle's blogging really takes off and he manages to meet the rocker in person one night and while Kyle is only 16, Stoney invites Kyle to his hotel. See, Stoney is gay but in the closet because his management team wants it that way (and so does Stoney in a way because he doesn't think fans will come out to see a gay rocker). Also, Stoney thinks Kyle is 21. Kyle knows that because he really is only 16, if word got out that Stoney had had sex with him, it would cause his music idol to really get into trouble. So while in the hotel room, Kyle leaves Stoney drunk in the room and runs off (he takes the rockers sapphire ring too, with the promise to himself to return the ring to Stoney when Kyle is 18 and legal).
The writing does go from one subject to another really quick, it's kind of jarring at first but eventually I got used to the quick topic/person/place/time change. It certainly helped move the story along.
2 year time jump and now Kyle is 18 and meets Bryce (a rich oil man from Texas) in a bar; again, Kyle is assumed to be 21. Bryce feels a connection to Kyle and while he isn't 100% convinced Kyle is 21 (he looks and acts so young), the fact that he wear an arm band for the bar showing he is 21, Bryce goes with it. Bryce invites Kyle to his hotel room, copious sex ensues, and then Bryce learns Kyle is 18. It's weird how this all came about and the results that follow. Bryce doesn't want Kyle to leave, but Kyle has to go to Stoney's next concert.
Kyle's stalker finds him at a Stoney concert and drugs him but the concert guards stop Nigel from taking Kyle. Nigel gets away, and Kyle manages to give the guards Bryce's contact info. Bryce rushes to Kyle on his private jet (hey, millionaire folks; he can do that). Stoney hears about a fan being assaulted at his concert and goes to see him. Kyle is out of it because he was drugged by his stalker, and fails to realize Stoney is upset with him; he recognizes the sapphire ring that Kyle is wearing on his pinky and is furious with Kyle. The next day Kyle doesn't really remember what happened and doesn't believe Bryce when he tells him how furious Stoney is.
Kyle is barred from attending any Stoney concerts in the future. I'm going to skip ahead.
See spoiler above.
There is a lot of jumping around in the plot that can get a little confusing, and there are times where the believability factor is seriously suspended, but overall it was a good story. There is a happy for now ending, and Bryce and Kyle jet off together into the night. This ends my confusing review. ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2020
A young high school student blogger is being stalked by a teacher, who eventually connects with his mother and plans to marry her. The student who has become a bit of a petty thief pick pocket flies to Las Vegas from England. Kyle's skills keep him going for a couple of years and he manages to meet with the musician whom he fan blogs about, steals an expensive ring and leaves. A couple of years later his stalker re enters and continues to show up where ever Kyle is at. Kyle has made a connection with a millionaire oilman and fallen into a successful modeling career. While not credible as far as a 16 year old flying to Vegas, making contacts for id, it is a gripping story. The hostage taking ending goes on a bit too long, but a unique story.
December 6, 2016
Not a good book for me. The back story was choppy, by the end I didn't care who was saved from who. Dialogue was boring and tiresome, I glanced thru the last half of the book just to see what happens. Go read some of Mary Calmes if you think this is good, you will see what you're missing.
July 13, 2017
It's ok. If he called someone else matte I would gladly kill him.
November 25, 2017
Man-boy Sickness
DNF. Ridiculous story line, and I am not at all a fan of man-boy relationships. This book should start with a warning to the effect that it is about cradle robbing.
DNF. Ridiculous story line, and I am not at all a fan of man-boy relationships. This book should start with a warning to the effect that it is about cradle robbing.
Read
February 9, 2020Kind of a mess. Note to self: you don't want to read the sequels.
October 24, 2016
I gave it a chance - but it just didn't hold my attention at all.
April 16, 2016
I was gifted this book by the author through the Don't Buy My Love program through the MM Group. My thanks to the organizers and the author for the opportunity to read this book.
A rating of 2.5 but scored down because frankly, I liked it but it was just ok. I had a number of issues that I'll list.
1. Though it's tagged as a romance and I gave it that tag, it's not really a romance. It's more of a coming of age with romantic elements. Very little actual romance. There are interactions between a couple, some sexual in nature, but I wasn't feeling romance.
2. The narrative is somewhat disjointed. Though slow at times, the story is ok until you get to about 67% and then it takes a very odd turn into this suspense/action tale with guns and paramilitary guys doing an "extraction," with lines like "if he moves, blast him!" Huh?!
3. Way too much going on. I think the book would benefit from a line editor - someone who could edit the creative content to narrow the action a bit. I would have liked more of a focus on Bryce and Kyle. Seemed like every other minute, Kyle disappeared into thin air.
4. Why was Bryce so focused on whether he was a billionaire. A couple of times he's referred to as a demi-billionaire and other times, the author refers to his 500 million dollars a number of times.
5. Why is when authors introduce people of color, there's a need to stereotype. At one point, Kyle is upset and he's not completely paying attention to where he is. He is "surrounded by black kids" and Kyle immediately thinks he's about to be mugged. Yes, because all black people are criminals. The author somewhat redeems herself later because one of the paramilitary men is African American and a good guy but that kind of stuff rankles. STOP stereotyping.
6. Who is Catherine, this woman Bryce works with. She's sort of dropped in and then because of some deal Bryce won't consider, she disappears.
7. There are scattered references to Bryce's business and his walking on an "oilpatch." What's an oilpatch?
8. Elements of the story stretched credulity. Is Nigel some sort of Houdini. He follows Kyle all over the world. He is a math teacher with an expertise in technology?? Knows his way around NY enough to . And Kyle sort sort of swans his way around Vegas and NY and made his way to the US without incident. Just a little farfetched.
Now frankly, I did like Kyle and Bryce and wanted more on page interactions and a focus on their relationship. Was the bit with Stony supposed to be a triangle? It really wasn't but still confused me. I suspect there is more of a focus on the relationship in book 2 but not sure I can handle more. The author has a lovely voice. Just needs some serious help with editing to laser focus on her MCs, particularly if you are going to label the book a romance.
A rating of 2.5 but scored down because frankly, I liked it but it was just ok. I had a number of issues that I'll list.
1. Though it's tagged as a romance and I gave it that tag, it's not really a romance. It's more of a coming of age with romantic elements. Very little actual romance. There are interactions between a couple, some sexual in nature, but I wasn't feeling romance.
2. The narrative is somewhat disjointed. Though slow at times, the story is ok until you get to about 67% and then it takes a very odd turn into this suspense/action tale with guns and paramilitary guys doing an "extraction," with lines like "if he moves, blast him!" Huh?!
3. Way too much going on. I think the book would benefit from a line editor - someone who could edit the creative content to narrow the action a bit. I would have liked more of a focus on Bryce and Kyle. Seemed like every other minute, Kyle disappeared into thin air.
4. Why was Bryce so focused on whether he was a billionaire. A couple of times he's referred to as a demi-billionaire and other times, the author refers to his 500 million dollars a number of times.
5. Why is when authors introduce people of color, there's a need to stereotype. At one point, Kyle is upset and he's not completely paying attention to where he is. He is "surrounded by black kids" and Kyle immediately thinks he's about to be mugged. Yes, because all black people are criminals. The author somewhat redeems herself later because one of the paramilitary men is African American and a good guy but that kind of stuff rankles. STOP stereotyping.
6. Who is Catherine, this woman Bryce works with. She's sort of dropped in and then because of some deal Bryce won't consider, she disappears.
7. There are scattered references to Bryce's business and his walking on an "oilpatch." What's an oilpatch?
8. Elements of the story stretched credulity. Is Nigel some sort of Houdini. He follows Kyle all over the world. He is a math teacher with an expertise in technology?? Knows his way around NY enough to . And Kyle sort sort of swans his way around Vegas and NY and made his way to the US without incident. Just a little farfetched.
Now frankly, I did like Kyle and Bryce and wanted more on page interactions and a focus on their relationship. Was the bit with Stony supposed to be a triangle? It really wasn't but still confused me. I suspect there is more of a focus on the relationship in book 2 but not sure I can handle more. The author has a lovely voice. Just needs some serious help with editing to laser focus on her MCs, particularly if you are going to label the book a romance.
April 4, 2016
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The blurb and the story confused me a bit when I first started reading. I had to check the blurb to what I was reading a few times because it just didn't seem like the same story.
Kyle at the start of the book is fourteen years old. His life revolves around blogging about a musician named Stoney Rockland, whom he is a major fan of. His home life is nothing to talk about and he finds himself catching the unwanted attention of his math teacher, Roman Nigel. Wherever Kyle goes, Nigel just happens to be there too. When Nigel manages to insinuate himself into Kyle's home life and wins his mother over. At age sixteen, Kyle knows he has to leave to save himself and his mother.
Bryce Auburn is a twenty-eight year old wildcatter. While on business in Las Vegas, he comes across eighteen year old Kyle (who at the time claimed he was twenty-one). The two have a fantastic time together until Kyle leaves to attend one of Stoney's concert and the two have a argument. Anyway to get to the point a lot of things happen between that time and Kyle finally starting a career in modeling.
The book covers Kyle's life from age fourteen to eighteen. While I did like reading about the issues that Kyle encountered and his troubles. It kind of dragged in some parts and there was off page growth from age fourteen to sixteen and then again from age sixteen to eighteen. Kyle living in Vegas didn't seem to deter his way of living. He didn't appear to have any hardship because he had always been a kleptomaniac and could swindle his targets as he liked. It seemed to be his natural skill. Also I was curious about how Kyle found the revenue to even leave his hometown. Were readers suppose to assume Kyle stole that money?
Kyle and Bryce's relationship came off as complicated and I wasn't sure how deep their feelings could be for each other since they only met a handful times. There wasn't very much romance with how Kyle kept chasing after Stoney and then Kyle up and leaving when things with Stoney went south. I actually felt a bit sad for Bryce since his attachment was stronger than Kyle's and he wanted the best for Kyle. For a sixteen chapter book I thought a lot was happening in the story but the pacing was worked and it wasn't overwhelming.
I do have a bit of a bit of issue with the formatting and/or some of the UK English portion of the book. In my reading it felt like certain portions of the story was a bit disjointed. It kind of had that feel like I had missed something but going back to read the previous page did nothing. It broke my concentration and took me out of the head space I was when reading the book. The repetitive information that Bryce was worth 500 million was a little grating.
The blurb and the story confused me a bit when I first started reading. I had to check the blurb to what I was reading a few times because it just didn't seem like the same story.
Kyle at the start of the book is fourteen years old. His life revolves around blogging about a musician named Stoney Rockland, whom he is a major fan of. His home life is nothing to talk about and he finds himself catching the unwanted attention of his math teacher, Roman Nigel. Wherever Kyle goes, Nigel just happens to be there too. When Nigel manages to insinuate himself into Kyle's home life and wins his mother over. At age sixteen, Kyle knows he has to leave to save himself and his mother.
Bryce Auburn is a twenty-eight year old wildcatter. While on business in Las Vegas, he comes across eighteen year old Kyle (who at the time claimed he was twenty-one). The two have a fantastic time together until Kyle leaves to attend one of Stoney's concert and the two have a argument. Anyway to get to the point a lot of things happen between that time and Kyle finally starting a career in modeling.
The book covers Kyle's life from age fourteen to eighteen. While I did like reading about the issues that Kyle encountered and his troubles. It kind of dragged in some parts and there was off page growth from age fourteen to sixteen and then again from age sixteen to eighteen. Kyle living in Vegas didn't seem to deter his way of living. He didn't appear to have any hardship because he had always been a kleptomaniac and could swindle his targets as he liked. It seemed to be his natural skill. Also I was curious about how Kyle found the revenue to even leave his hometown. Were readers suppose to assume Kyle stole that money?
Kyle and Bryce's relationship came off as complicated and I wasn't sure how deep their feelings could be for each other since they only met a handful times. There wasn't very much romance with how Kyle kept chasing after Stoney and then Kyle up and leaving when things with Stoney went south. I actually felt a bit sad for Bryce since his attachment was stronger than Kyle's and he wanted the best for Kyle. For a sixteen chapter book I thought a lot was happening in the story but the pacing was worked and it wasn't overwhelming.
I do have a bit of a bit of issue with the formatting and/or some of the UK English portion of the book. In my reading it felt like certain portions of the story was a bit disjointed. It kind of had that feel like I had missed something but going back to read the previous page did nothing. It broke my concentration and took me out of the head space I was when reading the book. The repetitive information that Bryce was worth 500 million was a little grating.
June 28, 2016
The blurb for this book is extremely inaccurate and misleading. There isn't really much romance in this book at all. This is a story about Kyle and all the hardships he has had to go through in his life. If you're looking for a romance with a little angst, this isn't your book. It's more angst with a little romance, and some action. Even what there is for romance doesn't play out like the blurb would make you believe. You don't meet Bryce until chapter 4 or so, and even then he's not in the book much. Kyle doesn't even become a model until over halfway through the book and even then there isn't much about his modeling, it's more just the fact that he's good looking enough to be a model. Also in the blurb is the bit about what will Bryce think when he finds out the truth about Kyle's past... he knows it, he knows enough the first night together it's not like Kyle is even keeping stuff from him, so that just makes no sense.
So, don't go into reading the book based on the blurb, or you will be confused and potentially disappointed. I was left feeling unprepared. Afterwards I sought out a lighthearted silly romance to read because I hadn't expected it to be so dark and gritty. If that's your thing, you might like it! That's not to say I didn't enjoy the book, it was definitely interesting!
Unfortunately I didn't particularly like any of the characters all that much. Kyle is a teenager obsessed with his idol musician Stoney Rockland and he has a messed up view of reality (some warranted, some not). Bryce is a man obsessed with money and his goal of becoming a billionaire (not just a half billionaire!) and is in the oil business... that's just not something I find appealing in a person. Stoney is a recurring character but we don't know much about him other than he's just a B-list musician who lives the life of a B-list musician.
Especially at the beginning of the book the writing feels a bit clunky. It doesn't flow smoothly, it stops and starts. Maybe that's intentional as a way to get into Kyle's head? I don't know. It did eventually feel like it flowed more smoothly to me. Maybe that's because Kyle grew up a little, maybe because the writing got a little better, maybe I just got used to it, I'm not sure.
Overall, it was definitely an interesting book. I just wish the characters had been a bit more likable and the blurb REALLY needs to be re-written! I'm not sure if I will bother to read the sequel when it comes out, it definitely won't be on the top of my list. I would be willing to read something by this author again, I'd just probably read some reviews before starting it to see if the blurb is accurate or not! :)
***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.***
So, don't go into reading the book based on the blurb, or you will be confused and potentially disappointed. I was left feeling unprepared. Afterwards I sought out a lighthearted silly romance to read because I hadn't expected it to be so dark and gritty. If that's your thing, you might like it! That's not to say I didn't enjoy the book, it was definitely interesting!
Unfortunately I didn't particularly like any of the characters all that much. Kyle is a teenager obsessed with his idol musician Stoney Rockland and he has a messed up view of reality (some warranted, some not). Bryce is a man obsessed with money and his goal of becoming a billionaire (not just a half billionaire!) and is in the oil business... that's just not something I find appealing in a person. Stoney is a recurring character but we don't know much about him other than he's just a B-list musician who lives the life of a B-list musician.
Especially at the beginning of the book the writing feels a bit clunky. It doesn't flow smoothly, it stops and starts. Maybe that's intentional as a way to get into Kyle's head? I don't know. It did eventually feel like it flowed more smoothly to me. Maybe that's because Kyle grew up a little, maybe because the writing got a little better, maybe I just got used to it, I'm not sure.
Overall, it was definitely an interesting book. I just wish the characters had been a bit more likable and the blurb REALLY needs to be re-written! I'm not sure if I will bother to read the sequel when it comes out, it definitely won't be on the top of my list. I would be willing to read something by this author again, I'd just probably read some reviews before starting it to see if the blurb is accurate or not! :)
***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.***
April 4, 2016
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
A couple days after finishing this book I'm still not sure how I feel about it. It started out a bit factual and more tell than show, but slowly flowed into story and dragged you in. You wanted to know what was going to happen next, and Parker kept throwing curve balls at you. A well built story to sink your teeth into.
Kyle's character was charming and I felt as fascinated as everybody else, but by the diametrical sides of his character being both so much more mature and yet still so very young. However I do think Kyle's English up bring was emphasized too much, with jarring innit's and were's and me's overused rather than placed carefully for consistency. The accent provided made me think he was Cockney born but sometimes what he said based his home town as being well outside London which ended up confusing me more than anything.
I found myself liking Bryce and the continuation of his original gambling for money to gambling with his company. He was a consistent and likable character who's only major flaw was how quick he connected to Kyle despite a short time together. His sweetness and thought in how to treat Kyle really got to my heart and brought out all the feels. All the feels!
Stoney was the only character I couldn't get a good read on, a lot of the time I felt the author was going with a Musician who loved his fans and music but got caught up in booze like a lot of a certain era which was aggravated by hiding who he was. And yet there were times he seemed quite different from that - where I can't put my finger on, but maybe that will be seen in later books.
I will agree with most reviewers that the ending seemed to take such a sharp left it left you with whiplash, but the build-up for it was carefully laid out in the earlier pieces. Perhaps it was just a little too unbelievable.
Perhaps because it's part of a trilogy I feel the end of the book was a bit sudden and cut off, with too many questions left unanswered. It's probably the main reason I don't know how I feel about the book overall, as the ending itself wasn't satisfying.
A couple days after finishing this book I'm still not sure how I feel about it. It started out a bit factual and more tell than show, but slowly flowed into story and dragged you in. You wanted to know what was going to happen next, and Parker kept throwing curve balls at you. A well built story to sink your teeth into.
Kyle's character was charming and I felt as fascinated as everybody else, but by the diametrical sides of his character being both so much more mature and yet still so very young. However I do think Kyle's English up bring was emphasized too much, with jarring innit's and were's and me's overused rather than placed carefully for consistency. The accent provided made me think he was Cockney born but sometimes what he said based his home town as being well outside London which ended up confusing me more than anything.
I found myself liking Bryce and the continuation of his original gambling for money to gambling with his company. He was a consistent and likable character who's only major flaw was how quick he connected to Kyle despite a short time together. His sweetness and thought in how to treat Kyle really got to my heart and brought out all the feels. All the feels!
Stoney was the only character I couldn't get a good read on, a lot of the time I felt the author was going with a Musician who loved his fans and music but got caught up in booze like a lot of a certain era which was aggravated by hiding who he was. And yet there were times he seemed quite different from that - where I can't put my finger on, but maybe that will be seen in later books.
I will agree with most reviewers that the ending seemed to take such a sharp left it left you with whiplash, but the build-up for it was carefully laid out in the earlier pieces. Perhaps it was just a little too unbelievable.
Perhaps because it's part of a trilogy I feel the end of the book was a bit sudden and cut off, with too many questions left unanswered. It's probably the main reason I don't know how I feel about the book overall, as the ending itself wasn't satisfying.
April 2, 2016
This book was provided free in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this story, mostly given to the fact that I was as captivated by Kyle as everyone in the novel seemed to be. There is something very endearing about him, despite the fact that an honest description of him would not portray a very sympathetic figure. Yet, I liked that he understood from the beginning how creepy Nigel was, and I thought the way he sought to protect his mother spoke very highly of him. Who knows what Kyle might have achieved had his life not been derailed? All of this makes it easy for me to excuse the things he does to survive. I also appreciated his morals in not tricking men when he's underaged.
Because of the style of writing there was a disconnect for me with the characters. Perhaps a good way to describe it is a feeling that I was told everything, rather than being shown. This was more marked in the parts told from Bryce's point of view. He didn't feel like a real person, rather a sketch of one. Which leads to what is perhaps my biggest problem with this book, which is that it did not do a great job of building the relationship between the two MCs. Perhaps because the bulk of their initial interactions were from Bryce's POV, I didn't really sense that Kyle cared all that much about Bryce, then all of a sudden I was told he did, and I had a hard time buying it.
The rescue scenes seemed a bit ridiculous to me, and I just really wish the author had focused on the relationship between the two MCs, that of Kyle and Michel and Kyle's career, instead of all of a sudden turning the book into a far fetched action novel. I enjoyed all the suspense related to Nigel, but I wish it had been resolved more realistically...
All of this said, I really enjoyed the book. Kyle is compelling and I really want to know what happens to him next. Hopefully the next book will be better at building their relationship. I very much recommend it, as Kyle is a very interesting character, different to the usual MC, and I think he will appeal to readers.
I really enjoyed this story, mostly given to the fact that I was as captivated by Kyle as everyone in the novel seemed to be. There is something very endearing about him, despite the fact that an honest description of him would not portray a very sympathetic figure. Yet, I liked that he understood from the beginning how creepy Nigel was, and I thought the way he sought to protect his mother spoke very highly of him. Who knows what Kyle might have achieved had his life not been derailed? All of this makes it easy for me to excuse the things he does to survive. I also appreciated his morals in not tricking men when he's underaged.
Because of the style of writing there was a disconnect for me with the characters. Perhaps a good way to describe it is a feeling that I was told everything, rather than being shown. This was more marked in the parts told from Bryce's point of view. He didn't feel like a real person, rather a sketch of one. Which leads to what is perhaps my biggest problem with this book, which is that it did not do a great job of building the relationship between the two MCs. Perhaps because the bulk of their initial interactions were from Bryce's POV, I didn't really sense that Kyle cared all that much about Bryce, then all of a sudden I was told he did, and I had a hard time buying it.
The rescue scenes seemed a bit ridiculous to me, and I just really wish the author had focused on the relationship between the two MCs, that of Kyle and Michel and Kyle's career, instead of all of a sudden turning the book into a far fetched action novel. I enjoyed all the suspense related to Nigel, but I wish it had been resolved more realistically...
All of this said, I really enjoyed the book. Kyle is compelling and I really want to know what happens to him next. Hopefully the next book will be better at building their relationship. I very much recommend it, as Kyle is a very interesting character, different to the usual MC, and I think he will appeal to readers.
April 23, 2016
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***
Kyle runs away from his home in England to escape from his Maths teacher/stalker, who doesn't seem to know what student/teacher boundaries are. He escapes to Las Vegas, where at 16 he continues to try to make a name for himself as a music blogger for Stoney Rockland.
Fast forward two years and Kyle is still living in Vegas, practically homeless, but getting by hustling and pickpocketing, when he meets Bryce, a millionaire wildcatter. They share a torrid affair, but Kyle is determined to follow Stoney's tour, so they part ways. Will they ever meet again?
I liked the book at the beginning. It was a nice set-up and I liked Kyle for the most part. He's a great character, very likable and compelling.
I think my problem with this book is that the author gave too much 'screen time' to the action and too little to the romance, so aside from some hot scenes between Kyle and Bryce when they met, I didn't really see a progression in their relationship, if it can even be called that. I truly didn't understand why Bryce would just drop everything just because Kyle called him, especially after the way they parted ways both times, or why Bryce would have a veritable army at his disposal when he was an oil company CEO or why it was necessary to stress over and over that Bryce was worth 500 million. I got it the first time, I didn't need to be told more than that. I would've loved to see a bit more of them as a couple, and not just having sex, but actually building something.
The stalker subplot was a bit out there and over the top, and I was left with some questions regarding Roman after the end.
The book had a lot of promise, but I think the subplot kind of took over and at some point, it made the author lose her way, which was a pity. Still, if you suspend your disbelief, it's an entertaining read. I'm intrigued enough to read the next installment in the series, for which I'll hopefully post my review next week.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Kyle runs away from his home in England to escape from his Maths teacher/stalker, who doesn't seem to know what student/teacher boundaries are. He escapes to Las Vegas, where at 16 he continues to try to make a name for himself as a music blogger for Stoney Rockland.
Fast forward two years and Kyle is still living in Vegas, practically homeless, but getting by hustling and pickpocketing, when he meets Bryce, a millionaire wildcatter. They share a torrid affair, but Kyle is determined to follow Stoney's tour, so they part ways. Will they ever meet again?
I liked the book at the beginning. It was a nice set-up and I liked Kyle for the most part. He's a great character, very likable and compelling.
I think my problem with this book is that the author gave too much 'screen time' to the action and too little to the romance, so aside from some hot scenes between Kyle and Bryce when they met, I didn't really see a progression in their relationship, if it can even be called that. I truly didn't understand why Bryce would just drop everything just because Kyle called him, especially after the way they parted ways both times, or why Bryce would have a veritable army at his disposal when he was an oil company CEO or why it was necessary to stress over and over that Bryce was worth 500 million. I got it the first time, I didn't need to be told more than that. I would've loved to see a bit more of them as a couple, and not just having sex, but actually building something.
The stalker subplot was a bit out there and over the top, and I was left with some questions regarding Roman after the end.
The book had a lot of promise, but I think the subplot kind of took over and at some point, it made the author lose her way, which was a pity. Still, if you suspend your disbelief, it's an entertaining read. I'm intrigued enough to read the next installment in the series, for which I'll hopefully post my review next week.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
May 30, 2016
This is a book based on more of a mystery/suspense with a little bit of loving going on. You never know what is going to go down once you turn the next corner or who is going to be involved.
The story starts when Kyle is 14 years old and his math teacher starts to obsess over him. At 16 Kyle runs away to America and meets his idol Stoney. At 18 the story really begins.
Kyle in my opinion has no control over what is happening in his world so that is why he latched on to the first thing that feels right in his life and that is following and being a fan of Stoney. I think that Kyle convinces himself that he and Dtoney will end up together and passes up on what could be the real thing with Bryce. I think that subconsciously he knows that he will never end up with Stoney and that is why Bryce is the one he always calls when he is in trouble and needs help. Kyle may not stay with Bryce but when his life and Stoney's life are both in danger the one and only person he turns to is the one person he knows subconsciously will be there to save him, Bryce.
I think that from the first meeting Bryce knows he will never be able to get over Kyle and he knows that he is probably the only one that Kyle has trusted enough to be honest with. Bryce feels the connection between the two of them but he will not push how he feels on Kyle. He lets him go and when Kyle calls when his stalker comes calling again, Bryce is there for him. The question is when Kyle is safe who is it he will choose to be with Stoney or Bryce??
This was a book full of suspense as I said at the beginning of my posting and I enjoyed every minute of reading it. I never knew what was going to happen next and I hope that book two will tell more about how it all turned out in the long run of things. This is definitely a great read and Parker Avrile did an amazing job on it.
Was given this book for free by inked rainbow reads for an honest review
The story starts when Kyle is 14 years old and his math teacher starts to obsess over him. At 16 Kyle runs away to America and meets his idol Stoney. At 18 the story really begins.
Kyle in my opinion has no control over what is happening in his world so that is why he latched on to the first thing that feels right in his life and that is following and being a fan of Stoney. I think that Kyle convinces himself that he and Dtoney will end up together and passes up on what could be the real thing with Bryce. I think that subconsciously he knows that he will never end up with Stoney and that is why Bryce is the one he always calls when he is in trouble and needs help. Kyle may not stay with Bryce but when his life and Stoney's life are both in danger the one and only person he turns to is the one person he knows subconsciously will be there to save him, Bryce.
I think that from the first meeting Bryce knows he will never be able to get over Kyle and he knows that he is probably the only one that Kyle has trusted enough to be honest with. Bryce feels the connection between the two of them but he will not push how he feels on Kyle. He lets him go and when Kyle calls when his stalker comes calling again, Bryce is there for him. The question is when Kyle is safe who is it he will choose to be with Stoney or Bryce??
This was a book full of suspense as I said at the beginning of my posting and I enjoyed every minute of reading it. I never knew what was going to happen next and I hope that book two will tell more about how it all turned out in the long run of things. This is definitely a great read and Parker Avrile did an amazing job on it.
Was given this book for free by inked rainbow reads for an honest review
April 2, 2016
*I got a free copy for an honest review.*
It was my first free book for an honest review so I was kinda nervous about what to do if I really didn't like the book. Fortunately I liked it.
The best thing about the book is the way Kyle is described. The reader gets the chance to follow his development over 4 Years. Sometimes it hurt and it wasn't easy to like him but then he changed and made the best of his situation. I didn't even recognize the moment I went from being skeptical about Kyle's characters to seriously falling in love with him.
I loved the way Parker Avrile used different accents to make differences between his characters in the way their personal speech was written. It made it easy to distinguish between Kyle and Bryce.
And with Bryce I am at the point why I didn't completely fall for the book. I just missed him in the book. I got to know he is the main character because he has his own point of view portrayed but somehow I only got his infatuation with Kyle was about Kyles looks. Nothing deeper. When the two of them were together it was never Kyle who described the situation he only ever got to remembering past encounters and that he kinda lost his chance and made mistakes.
All in all it wasn't a lot of love in the story. But it is only the first part of the series so I hope that changes in the coming books.
For readers who are looking for steamy sex scene.... you should choose a different book.
For the ones who want to read a story with real character growth and likeable characters (I LOVED Michel. hope he is going to be alright. He and Arnold should both have each their own love story soon.) I totally recommend this book. It is a breath of fresh air in this sexed up genre.
It was my first free book for an honest review so I was kinda nervous about what to do if I really didn't like the book. Fortunately I liked it.
The best thing about the book is the way Kyle is described. The reader gets the chance to follow his development over 4 Years. Sometimes it hurt and it wasn't easy to like him but then he changed and made the best of his situation. I didn't even recognize the moment I went from being skeptical about Kyle's characters to seriously falling in love with him.
I loved the way Parker Avrile used different accents to make differences between his characters in the way their personal speech was written. It made it easy to distinguish between Kyle and Bryce.
And with Bryce I am at the point why I didn't completely fall for the book. I just missed him in the book. I got to know he is the main character because he has his own point of view portrayed but somehow I only got his infatuation with Kyle was about Kyles looks. Nothing deeper. When the two of them were together it was never Kyle who described the situation he only ever got to remembering past encounters and that he kinda lost his chance and made mistakes.
All in all it wasn't a lot of love in the story. But it is only the first part of the series so I hope that changes in the coming books.
For readers who are looking for steamy sex scene.... you should choose a different book.
For the ones who want to read a story with real character growth and likeable characters (I LOVED Michel. hope he is going to be alright. He and Arnold should both have each their own love story soon.) I totally recommend this book. It is a breath of fresh air in this sexed up genre.
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