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Perspectives #1
The Truth as He Knows It
10 hrs 26 mins
Lies are the chains that keep you weighed down at rock bottom.
Officer Noel Carlson isn’t out to anyone in small-town Stratton, Pennsylvania, only to distant friends and family, so a relationship is out of the question. That doesn’t stop him from wanting one, though.
When a night-shift call brings him face to thonged butt with a hired stripper whose girl-party gig went terribly wrong, Noel takes pity on the guy and lets him go. But he can’t get the encounter out of his mind.
Shane has big-time debts to repay, especially to the brother who sacrificed nearly everything for him. His two jobs, in a deli and as a stripper, leave him no time for a social life. But a non-date of hot sex and takeout food with Noel? He can squeeze that in.
The bond they form is stronger than either expected or wanted. Especially since the step Shane’s about to take to put his brother—and his soul—back in the black isn’t quite legal. And he never calculated just how much his determination to make things right will cost him in the end.
Warning: Following on from the Cost of Repairs series, this book contains a closeted cop who’s looking for love, an indebted stripper who doesn’t believe he’s worthy, and a tasteful abundance of dirty guy sex. Also contains references to past physical abuse some readers may find disturbing.
Lies are the chains that keep you weighed down at rock bottom.
Officer Noel Carlson isn’t out to anyone in small-town Stratton, Pennsylvania, only to distant friends and family, so a relationship is out of the question. That doesn’t stop him from wanting one, though.
When a night-shift call brings him face to thonged butt with a hired stripper whose girl-party gig went terribly wrong, Noel takes pity on the guy and lets him go. But he can’t get the encounter out of his mind.
Shane has big-time debts to repay, especially to the brother who sacrificed nearly everything for him. His two jobs, in a deli and as a stripper, leave him no time for a social life. But a non-date of hot sex and takeout food with Noel? He can squeeze that in.
The bond they form is stronger than either expected or wanted. Especially since the step Shane’s about to take to put his brother—and his soul—back in the black isn’t quite legal. And he never calculated just how much his determination to make things right will cost him in the end.
Warning: Following on from the Cost of Repairs series, this book contains a closeted cop who’s looking for love, an indebted stripper who doesn’t believe he’s worthy, and a tasteful abundance of dirty guy sex. Also contains references to past physical abuse some readers may find disturbing.
11 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 10, 2015
197 people are currently reading
1322 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Arthur
85 books1,231 followersNo stranger to the writing world, A.M. Arthur has been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long. She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance wasn't a thing yet) with her later discovery of and subsequent affair with m/m romance stories. When not writing, she can be found in her kitchen, pretending she's an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments. You can contact her at AM_Arthur(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 366 reviews
July 29, 2016
3.5 stars
Noel, a cop, and Shane (Jody McShane), who works in a deli and dances/strips on the side, meet in unusual circumstances. Noel finds Shane in a thong tied to a bed. Shane is not happy about his predicament but won't tell Noel what happened.
The two begin dating, or, more precisely, fucking. There is plenty of smex in this novel, and it starts immediately. Forget the slow burn or tension. Both men are hot for each other, and neither has many prospects in the small Pennsylvania town where they live.
The chemistry between Noel and Shane was explosive and the sex deliciously rough and uninhibited.
Both men carry some heavy-duty baggage. As is typical of an A.M. Arthur book, the angst comes hard and fast.
Noel has a close friend from college, Tristan, who was seriously injured in a gay-bashing incident and now lives in an assisted living facility because he has no short-term memory. Noel was hurt along with Tristan, but his physical scars have healed; Tristan's remain.
I cared about Tristan as a character and would love his story. Much sadness permeates the notebooks he carries around to jot down notes so he can stay grounded in the present. I have a feeling Tony/Gabe, one of Shane's "colleagues," might be another MC. Whether he's paired with Tristan, only the author knows.
Another secondary character who plays a major role in the plot is Shane's brother, Jason, who's eight years older than Shane. Jason is Shane's rock, and Shane feels responsible for how hard Jason works to keep them afloat financially.
The major conflict in the book is the amount of debt the McShane brothers have accrued due to Shane's past medical bills.
Hell, we all know America's healthcare system is broken and the biggest FAIL in the world. That being said, there ARE some financial assistance programs for people who can't pay their medical bills. Hospitals will often reduce the bill due to poverty, and if all else fails, there's bankruptcy. I had a hard time believing that almost a decade after the fact, the men still owed 35K of high-interest debt.
After Jason collapses at work and is diagnosed with a heart condition, Shane begins to do porn. I dislike sex-for-pay in stories, particularly porn which is forever, and in this one Shane lies to both his brother and his boyfriend about his gigs.
Shane agrees to be Noel's boyfriend but won't promise to be exclusive because of the porn. Thankfully, the majority of the porn sex is OFF PAGE. Shane hates the job and the deception, but wants to pay off the debt and take care of Jason.
Overall, Shane is not a sympathetic character. He has a terrible temper and keeps breaking up with Noel and pushing him away. Granted, Shane had a rough childhood with a horrible stepfather. He's so used to keeping secrets, he doesn't know how to be in a relationship.
Noel is patient and supportive. I liked Noel and felt he probably deserved better than Shane. But Noel loves Shane, and his love isn't negotiable.
There is a HEA, and I was happy that there was no major melodrama. However, more sadness and heartbreak arrive toward the end of the book after things are settled between Noel and Shane. I hated that the plot went there. Why throw more angst into an already dark story?
I read an ARC of this book and found some MAJOR typos, including this doozy: He wasn't lying in their dying while I was... *face palm* No one over the age of 7 should make that mistake. I sincerely hope the copy is cleaned up before official publication date.
I wanted things to work out for Shane and Noel, and I think I will read the next book in this series.
Noel, a cop, and Shane (Jody McShane), who works in a deli and dances/strips on the side, meet in unusual circumstances. Noel finds Shane in a thong tied to a bed. Shane is not happy about his predicament but won't tell Noel what happened.
The two begin dating, or, more precisely, fucking. There is plenty of smex in this novel, and it starts immediately. Forget the slow burn or tension. Both men are hot for each other, and neither has many prospects in the small Pennsylvania town where they live.
The chemistry between Noel and Shane was explosive and the sex deliciously rough and uninhibited.
Both men carry some heavy-duty baggage. As is typical of an A.M. Arthur book, the angst comes hard and fast.
Noel has a close friend from college, Tristan, who was seriously injured in a gay-bashing incident and now lives in an assisted living facility because he has no short-term memory. Noel was hurt along with Tristan, but his physical scars have healed; Tristan's remain.
I cared about Tristan as a character and would love his story. Much sadness permeates the notebooks he carries around to jot down notes so he can stay grounded in the present. I have a feeling Tony/Gabe, one of Shane's "colleagues," might be another MC. Whether he's paired with Tristan, only the author knows.
Another secondary character who plays a major role in the plot is Shane's brother, Jason, who's eight years older than Shane. Jason is Shane's rock, and Shane feels responsible for how hard Jason works to keep them afloat financially.
The major conflict in the book is the amount of debt the McShane brothers have accrued due to Shane's past medical bills.
Hell, we all know America's healthcare system is broken and the biggest FAIL in the world. That being said, there ARE some financial assistance programs for people who can't pay their medical bills. Hospitals will often reduce the bill due to poverty, and if all else fails, there's bankruptcy. I had a hard time believing that almost a decade after the fact, the men still owed 35K of high-interest debt.
After Jason collapses at work and is diagnosed with a heart condition, Shane begins to do porn. I dislike sex-for-pay in stories, particularly porn which is forever, and in this one Shane lies to both his brother and his boyfriend about his gigs.
Shane agrees to be Noel's boyfriend but won't promise to be exclusive because of the porn. Thankfully, the majority of the porn sex is OFF PAGE. Shane hates the job and the deception, but wants to pay off the debt and take care of Jason.
Overall, Shane is not a sympathetic character. He has a terrible temper and keeps breaking up with Noel and pushing him away. Granted, Shane had a rough childhood with a horrible stepfather. He's so used to keeping secrets, he doesn't know how to be in a relationship.
Noel is patient and supportive. I liked Noel and felt he probably deserved better than Shane. But Noel loves Shane, and his love isn't negotiable.
There is a HEA, and I was happy that there was no major melodrama. However, more sadness and heartbreak arrive toward the end of the book after things are settled between Noel and Shane. I hated that the plot went there. Why throw more angst into an already dark story?
I read an ARC of this book and found some MAJOR typos, including this doozy: He wasn't lying in their dying while I was... *face palm* No one over the age of 7 should make that mistake. I sincerely hope the copy is cleaned up before official publication date.
I wanted things to work out for Shane and Noel, and I think I will read the next book in this series.
February 26, 2015
Guys, there is angst and then there is ANGST!!! and this one is the big, bolded version. The MCs in this book could NOT catch a break! It was one disaster after another, and between all the lies and all the heartache, I was feeling DONE with this story by the end.
Shane's whole life is secrets, and when he starts dating closeted cop Noel he guards his secrets that much closer. From Shane's job to his life story, everything is private, private, private. I really did not enjoy Shane as a character. From getting a little physical during a fight, to outright lying about a number of things, I felt like Shane was too difficult for me to relate to as a MC.
Noel puts in all the effort here and I don't think it was worth it. Noel is a really sweet guy, and I didn't see what he go out of his relationship with Shane except for a big headache (and HOT sex). I did like reading about Noel's relationship with Tristan, his friend with memory problems and a tragic past. That was a special bond, and I think one of the more compelling parts of the story.
I read a good amount of books featuring porn stars, but that is sort of a coincidence. I don't love a porn plot, especially during the time when a couple gets together. This was the bad kind of porn book, where it is all one huge secret, and my gut was churning the whole time because I knew nothing could end well.
Ironically, the porn topic wasn't even the most contentious part of the story.
The ending of this book was even more over-the-top than I had imagined. An angst bomb that, frankly, wasn't necessary for the storyline. I'm certainly quitting the series at this point because the next book might have a torture scene or something, which is the only way it can top the pain of this one.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Shane's whole life is secrets, and when he starts dating closeted cop Noel he guards his secrets that much closer. From Shane's job to his life story, everything is private, private, private. I really did not enjoy Shane as a character. From getting a little physical during a fight, to outright lying about a number of things, I felt like Shane was too difficult for me to relate to as a MC.
Noel puts in all the effort here and I don't think it was worth it. Noel is a really sweet guy, and I didn't see what he go out of his relationship with Shane except for a big headache (and HOT sex). I did like reading about Noel's relationship with Tristan, his friend with memory problems and a tragic past. That was a special bond, and I think one of the more compelling parts of the story.
I read a good amount of books featuring porn stars, but that is sort of a coincidence. I don't love a porn plot, especially during the time when a couple gets together. This was the bad kind of porn book, where it is all one huge secret, and my gut was churning the whole time because I knew nothing could end well.
Ironically, the porn topic wasn't even the most contentious part of the story.
The ending of this book was even more over-the-top than I had imagined. An angst bomb that, frankly, wasn't necessary for the storyline. I'm certainly quitting the series at this point because the next book might have a torture scene or something, which is the only way it can top the pain of this one.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2017
Sorry not to be my usual 'happy, happy, joy, joy' self this time around, but here goes...
Did I like this book? Sure. Did I *enjoy* the book? Debatable. I'm mainly hoping (pronounced "praying") that the next books in this new series are a bit more hopeful, like Arthur's earlier series, Cost of Repairs.
It seemed to me that nearly ALL of the characters in the story must have pissed in God's most delicious Cheerios in a past life, because (for the most part) all of their lives were complete shit shows.
MC # 1, Shane [aka Jody, aka Jo, aka Colby -- confused yet?], was molested at 10 years old, thrown into foster care, then attempted suicide at 15 after being bullied, only to be buried in debt, fighting for solvency as a stripper, sandwich maker & part-time porn star.
MC # 2, Noel [blessedly no 'aka's], became a policeman after being gay bashed by 4 rabid homophobes who tried to carve his heart out of his chest with a broken whiskey bottle.
Noel's best friend, Tristan, was hit repeatedly over the head by the same whiskey bottle in the bashing . So yeah, it all SUCKS, but we are not quite done yet...
Shane's brother, Jason, went to prison at only 18 for 3 years for the murder of his step father in self-defense, when confronting the man about molesting 10 year old Shane, later gets custody of Shane only to work himself to exhaustion to pay lawyer's fees .
So my guess would be that right about now you're asking yourself, "Todd, dear, exactly why aren't you ranting about how much you completely hated this horrid, horrid book???"
Well, mainly because I really could empathize with the characters and what they did in the story to at least *try* to make lemonade out of the fuck-ton of lemons that made up their lives. (Short answer there.)
The elephant-sized pack of lies in this book did bother me, a lot; however, the motivation behind them was never, not once, malicious or conniving. They were simply a necessity in order to avoid hurting those you love, while desperately attempting to keep a grasp on what you hold most dear. Sanity being one of the things on that short list.
But the crux of why I stuck it out with this book was that both Noel and Shane truly did care about one another, like no one before, and they *could* be really great together -- if they could dig to the surface of the manure pile burying them.
So yes, the boys got points from me for fighting against the odds to finally, finally, PRAISE GOD ALIGHTY FINALLY get their much-deserved HEA.
Jesus, I'm exhausted now, so I'm going to go and find the fluffiest piece of inane fluff that was ever fluffed to read and decompress, because I think I just fucking earned it.
PS - The sex was really, really, really, really hot and there was a lot of it. <-- This would be the proverbial carrot, if your ass isn't already up and running for the nearest exit yelling...
"CHECK PLEASE !!!"
3 1/4 stars.
---------------------------------------------
** This book is completely standalone and nothing would be lost by reading it before any of the Cost of Repairs series. All of those books which were 4 solid stars for me, so I highly recommend them. **
** My copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair, unbiased review. **
August 21, 2018
audio 2 stars narrator performance
book 3 stars
overall 2.5
I was in the mood for a very angsty read with a side of messy. This book fit the bill. It really did.
Unfortunately, two things stopped me from fully enjoying it: 1) the performance of the narrator. He had a very nice voice, but failed miserably at changing the inflection of his very nice voice during the many emotional scenes and 2) the writing. The dialogue at times seemed unnatural bordering on cheesy. It was hard for me to feel anything for the MCs because of those two reasons.
book 3 stars
overall 2.5
I was in the mood for a very angsty read with a side of messy. This book fit the bill. It really did.
Unfortunately, two things stopped me from fully enjoying it: 1) the performance of the narrator. He had a very nice voice, but failed miserably at changing the inflection of his very nice voice during the many emotional scenes and 2) the writing. The dialogue at times seemed unnatural bordering on cheesy. It was hard for me to feel anything for the MCs because of those two reasons.
February 11, 2015
There are a lot of triggers in this book, for me anyways. So buyer beware…I have the triggers in the spoiler if people want a look see.
First off I want to say that porn plots are not my favorite, I just don’t care for them, so I had serious issues with the main character keeping that he was doing porn a secret. I mean he was in a sexual relationship with a man who he called his boyfriend, but he wasn’t up front and honest about it. I know it is a job, and not cheating per say, but not being up front about it makes me feel that the main character felt like he was being unfaithful. This just left a bad taste in my mouth, and I just felt really bad for Noel.
That and the story is fucking depressing…Shane’s life is just a roller coaster ride of suck.
Maybe if I read this during the summer months I could have handled it better.
Maybe not.
I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
First off I want to say that porn plots are not my favorite, I just don’t care for them, so I had serious issues with the main character keeping that he was doing porn a secret. I mean he was in a sexual relationship with a man who he called his boyfriend, but he wasn’t up front and honest about it. I know it is a job, and not cheating per say, but not being up front about it makes me feel that the main character felt like he was being unfaithful. This just left a bad taste in my mouth, and I just felt really bad for Noel.
That and the story is fucking depressing…Shane’s life is just a roller coaster ride of suck.
Maybe if I read this during the summer months I could have handled it better.
Maybe not.
I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
January 13, 2015
Wow. Truth? Um, in this book not so much, there are more secrets and lies with truth sprinkled in here and there for flavor.
This was a bit of a mess. I really hate to say that but there was so much going on with all the lies and how easily everyone was forgiven for lying. Usually, it doesn’t make me cringe in books, because it’s a book and it’s not real life but the multitude was overwhelming. I mean, the MC’s whole relationship begins on a lie…
Told in the dual POV’s of our MC’s we learn a lot about each of them but it felt disconnected for me. We meet Officer Noel Carlson as he answers a call about a loud party he needs to break up and during that call, we meet Shane a bit tied up. The boys have an immediate attraction to one another but the story continues with them not officially seeing one another again for some time which does give us the chance to get to know each one separately before they hook up. Sadly, even this time didn’t allow me to connect to either MC.
I know about Noel and his friend Tristan and what happened to them. I know he feels awful, because it’s told to me. Most of this it telling and that made it difficult to connect. I know Shane has a lot of aliases and that his brother Jason and he are close AND they have a secret/lie between them. Shane has secrets/lies he keeps from both Jason and Noel. There is just too much to keep up with and with no emotional connection this fell flat for me. I kept waiting for the moment where it all clicked but that never happened. The emotional connection, the feels I look for when I read romance was not there.The sex was hot but it was just sex, I never felt the deeper connection between Shane and Noel regardless of what name was used for Shane. Speaking of sex… I was floored when Shane comes clean to Noel with one of his last lies which leads Noel to do some cop work and investigate and then gets turned on by what he finds and tells Shane what he did? Shane who was not proud of what that lie meant, gets turned on too? WTAF? I don’t get that. I don’t get how embarrassed and ashamed Shane was to do that only to have Noel get off to it and that made it all okay? Not for me boys.
Oh and that ending? There have been a few books I have read that pull this and I was not pleased. I don’t see the reason behind what happened. It could have gone another way but it seems this book had a check list of every damn horrible situation that could possibly happen and made sure it was all in there. Ugh. This just did not work for me. Nope.
The Truth as He Knows It was my first from this author and though the story was a big miss for me, I am curious about the Cost of Repairs series as a few characters show up in this. I may still check it out. This is listed as book one in a series. I am curious if the next book will be about Gabe, I liked him. I hope he’s story is next and I hope it has to do with Tristan. Maybe?
2.5 stars
This was a bit of a mess. I really hate to say that but there was so much going on with all the lies and how easily everyone was forgiven for lying. Usually, it doesn’t make me cringe in books, because it’s a book and it’s not real life but the multitude was overwhelming. I mean, the MC’s whole relationship begins on a lie…
Told in the dual POV’s of our MC’s we learn a lot about each of them but it felt disconnected for me. We meet Officer Noel Carlson as he answers a call about a loud party he needs to break up and during that call, we meet Shane a bit tied up. The boys have an immediate attraction to one another but the story continues with them not officially seeing one another again for some time which does give us the chance to get to know each one separately before they hook up. Sadly, even this time didn’t allow me to connect to either MC.
I know about Noel and his friend Tristan and what happened to them. I know he feels awful, because it’s told to me. Most of this it telling and that made it difficult to connect. I know Shane has a lot of aliases and that his brother Jason and he are close AND they have a secret/lie between them. Shane has secrets/lies he keeps from both Jason and Noel. There is just too much to keep up with and with no emotional connection this fell flat for me. I kept waiting for the moment where it all clicked but that never happened. The emotional connection, the feels I look for when I read romance was not there.The sex was hot but it was just sex, I never felt the deeper connection between Shane and Noel regardless of what name was used for Shane. Speaking of sex… I was floored when Shane comes clean to Noel with one of his last lies which leads Noel to do some cop work and investigate and then gets turned on by what he finds and tells Shane what he did? Shane who was not proud of what that lie meant, gets turned on too? WTAF? I don’t get that. I don’t get how embarrassed and ashamed Shane was to do that only to have Noel get off to it and that made it all okay? Not for me boys.
Oh and that ending? There have been a few books I have read that pull this and I was not pleased. I don’t see the reason behind what happened. It could have gone another way but it seems this book had a check list of every damn horrible situation that could possibly happen and made sure it was all in there. Ugh. This just did not work for me. Nope.
The Truth as He Knows It was my first from this author and though the story was a big miss for me, I am curious about the Cost of Repairs series as a few characters show up in this. I may still check it out. This is listed as book one in a series. I am curious if the next book will be about Gabe, I liked him. I hope he’s story is next and I hope it has to do with Tristan. Maybe?
2.5 stars
February 10, 2015
4.5
I have such a soft spot for angsty characters and this has it in spades. All the characters have varying levels of angst working for them and as I was reading this story I couldn’t help but feel that something horrible was on the horizon. It made for a tense read. I actually had to skip to the end because I was so worried. Lesson learned because the end made me ugly cry and then when I went back where I was and read back up to it again I didn’t think it would upset me again but it did and I went for ugly cry, Round 2.
Shane has a huge amount of guilt. He’s lived a hard life and he and his older brother, Jason, are barely making ends meet. The men are working hard to pay off their debts accrued over the years. Shane is stripping on the side to make extra money and it’s at a noise disturbance at one of these jobs that he meets Officer Noel Carlson.
Noel has angst of his own. He and his best friend where bashed during college and both have scars. Noel on his body and Tristan, who is suffering from short term memory problems. Seeing the two of the interact and the caring relationship between them was so lovely to read. Their story is so sad and just made me so angry. Noel is a protector and he meets Shane again at his second job at a deli. The men hit it off and begin and on and off again relationship.
I can honestly say that this had some of the hottest sex I’ve ever read. Insanely hot and intense. The chemistry between Shane, whose real name is Jody, and Noel is incendiary but so much more than just sexual. I liked that their problems were resolved through communication even if it took them a while to get there. These men have secrets and they learn hard lessons about what happens when they both share and hold them back from each other. This is such a drama filled story and one that focuses a lot on family and obligations. I loved it and I loved the characters.
I need Tristan’s story. I’m afraid for him because I think I have an idea of what’s happening to him and I’m worried about him. Also, I really want to see him get and HEA. He really deserves it. I went to the author’s site to see if his story was coming and it IS! His and Gabe’s and I couldn’t be more excited for it. I can’t wait to see these two together and I want to read this now!
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I have such a soft spot for angsty characters and this has it in spades. All the characters have varying levels of angst working for them and as I was reading this story I couldn’t help but feel that something horrible was on the horizon. It made for a tense read. I actually had to skip to the end because I was so worried. Lesson learned because the end made me ugly cry and then when I went back where I was and read back up to it again I didn’t think it would upset me again but it did and I went for ugly cry, Round 2.
Shane has a huge amount of guilt. He’s lived a hard life and he and his older brother, Jason, are barely making ends meet. The men are working hard to pay off their debts accrued over the years. Shane is stripping on the side to make extra money and it’s at a noise disturbance at one of these jobs that he meets Officer Noel Carlson.
Noel has angst of his own. He and his best friend where bashed during college and both have scars. Noel on his body and Tristan, who is suffering from short term memory problems. Seeing the two of the interact and the caring relationship between them was so lovely to read. Their story is so sad and just made me so angry. Noel is a protector and he meets Shane again at his second job at a deli. The men hit it off and begin and on and off again relationship.
I can honestly say that this had some of the hottest sex I’ve ever read. Insanely hot and intense. The chemistry between Shane, whose real name is Jody, and Noel is incendiary but so much more than just sexual. I liked that their problems were resolved through communication even if it took them a while to get there. These men have secrets and they learn hard lessons about what happens when they both share and hold them back from each other. This is such a drama filled story and one that focuses a lot on family and obligations. I loved it and I loved the characters.
I need Tristan’s story. I’m afraid for him because I think I have an idea of what’s happening to him and I’m worried about him. Also, I really want to see him get and HEA. He really deserves it. I went to the author’s site to see if his story was coming and it IS! His and Gabe’s and I couldn’t be more excited for it. I can’t wait to see these two together and I want to read this now!
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
April 8, 2023
Shane was abused by his step-father when he was 10. When his brother Jason found out about the abuse, there was an altercation, the result of which was that Thom, the stepfather was dead and Jason went to prison for three years for manslaughter and Shane was sent to a group home. Shane always blamed himself for what happened to Jason and, when he is bullied at school at age 15, for being gay, he tries to kill himself. After his release from prison, Jason fought for custody of Shane and between the legal bills and the rehabilitation and therapy costs for Shane, they are heavily in debt. Shane feels responsible in all the ways for the debt, even though Jason never complains. Jason finds that he can pay off the loan with the some really big checks...all he has to do is appear in 3 porn videos. Shane of course, tells no one how he is getting the money. Then Jason becomes ill, apparently from overwork, Shane decides to become “Colby” the porn star for a limited season of 6 more videos in order to quickly pay off the mounting medical bills. Then he meets Noel, a police officer and sparks fly and Noel and Shane start to explore their attraction to one another. All goes along well...the money is rapidly coming in for the bills and Noel seems like a gift to Shane...until...Shane feels that he will need to come clean to both Jason and Noel about what he had been doing for the money, but each time he starts he finds that he just can't so it. Jason will be disappointed in him, and Noel will never want to see him again. They soon find out that Jason wasn't just overworked...he has the same heart condition that killed their mother at age 32....the exact age that Jason is now. There is a lot going on in this book. It has a high angst factor...which I usually try to avoid in my books that are supposed to be HEA's. That being said, there were places I was half expecting the story to go and found myself pleasantly surprised when it didn’t. Then the bottom drops out.... for me and the characters. I try to never become emotionally over involved in a book of any genera but sometimes it sneaks up on you. Books that make me cry loose stars...this one lost only half a star because I loved Noel and Shane so much. Have a box of tissue handy.
Actual Rating 4.5
Actual Rating 4.5
November 9, 2015
I'm not going to lie, I skimmed the shit out of this book.
Mostly because
So many lies, and secrets, and omissions.
Shane has had a rough life. If you can uncover the truth under the weight of lies he tells to get through his days, you'll see someone trying to keep his head above water, making tough choices to survive, and an all around good guy. Probably. I dunno. Like I said, I skimmed.
I completely understand telling a lie today and dealing with it tomorrow. I understand all of his motivations and the guilt he carries like a second skin. I felt for him, really, I did. But he just... wasn't that likeable.
Noel, local police officer and knight in shining armor, wants Shane regardless of the fact Shane is playing more than hard to get and is hiding some big secrets. He has a few of his own, and some heavy duty guilt as well.
(On a side note: Noel's relationship with his best friend, Tristan, is what kept me reading/skimming this book. My heart hurt for Tristan, and I desperately wanted to know more about him.)
But there's a few things that just hit the wrong note for me:
If you're looking for a delicious buildup, look elsewhere. There might have been steam coming off the pages when Noel and Shane are together, but these two boys get sex out of the way before their first date, and all of their sexual tension gets thrown out the window as a result.
Nothing says "I really like you" like a punch to the face. The moment one MC hits their potential love interest, my love for that MC is done. Noel might have stuck around and not given it a second thought, but me? You wouldn't see my arse for dust.
And finally, that horrible, soul crushing thing at the end. You know, there's a limit to what human beings can take. The same goes for a reader, as well. How is it that no one asked the author if this is really what she wanted for her characters? There was already an overwhelming amount of angst in this book, was it really necessary to stab me in the heart with a rusty spoon, as well? It's going to take at least two chocolate bars for me to get my spirits back in order.
So, I wasn't overwhelmed, but I did survive! And I'm that much closer to Tristan's story.
Recommended if you're in the mood for some heavy duty angst and the hardest earned HEA ever.
Mostly because
So many lies, and secrets, and omissions.
Shane has had a rough life. If you can uncover the truth under the weight of lies he tells to get through his days, you'll see someone trying to keep his head above water, making tough choices to survive, and an all around good guy. Probably. I dunno. Like I said, I skimmed.
I completely understand telling a lie today and dealing with it tomorrow. I understand all of his motivations and the guilt he carries like a second skin. I felt for him, really, I did. But he just... wasn't that likeable.
Noel, local police officer and knight in shining armor, wants Shane regardless of the fact Shane is playing more than hard to get and is hiding some big secrets. He has a few of his own, and some heavy duty guilt as well.
(On a side note: Noel's relationship with his best friend, Tristan, is what kept me reading/skimming this book. My heart hurt for Tristan, and I desperately wanted to know more about him.)
But there's a few things that just hit the wrong note for me:
If you're looking for a delicious buildup, look elsewhere. There might have been steam coming off the pages when Noel and Shane are together, but these two boys get sex out of the way before their first date, and all of their sexual tension gets thrown out the window as a result.
Nothing says "I really like you" like a punch to the face. The moment one MC hits their potential love interest, my love for that MC is done. Noel might have stuck around and not given it a second thought, but me? You wouldn't see my arse for dust.
And finally, that horrible, soul crushing thing at the end. You know, there's a limit to what human beings can take. The same goes for a reader, as well. How is it that no one asked the author if this is really what she wanted for her characters? There was already an overwhelming amount of angst in this book, was it really necessary to stab me in the heart with a rusty spoon, as well? It's going to take at least two chocolate bars for me to get my spirits back in order.
So, I wasn't overwhelmed, but I did survive! And I'm that much closer to Tristan's story.
Recommended if you're in the mood for some heavy duty angst and the hardest earned HEA ever.
November 7, 2015
I read A.M. Arthur when I want angst. I wanted angst and that's what I got, along with hot sex and some secondary relationships that I was equally or more invested in.
I was really rooting for Shane. There are so many bad things that have happened in Shane's life that he had little or no control over, but there are also some bad decisions that he makes as an adult, although all of them are made out of concern and love for Jason, the brother that saved him more than once. Noel and his best friend Tristan survived a gay bashing in college and while they both had and recovered from serious physical injuries, Tristan now has short term memory loss and has been abandoned to a care facility by his parents when they found out he was gay. When Shane and Noel begin to fall for each other, they both know it won't be easy, but Shane also finds himself lying to protect Noel and his brother as he does what he feels he needs to in order to wipe out the crushing debt his brother has taken on in order to save Shane. What saved the story for me when the lies spiraled is that there was never anything malicious and Shane really felt he had no other place to turn.
Aside from Shane and Noel, I really liked the relationship between Shane and his brother, but my favorite was probably Tristan and Noel, and later including Shane. Tristan was such an engaging character and his memory problems lead to some heartbreaking moments. There were hints dropped about what may be happening with Tristan at the facility and left that storyline dangling so I'm really hoping for his (and hopefully Gabe's) story next.
I was really rooting for Shane. There are so many bad things that have happened in Shane's life that he had little or no control over, but there are also some bad decisions that he makes as an adult, although all of them are made out of concern and love for Jason, the brother that saved him more than once. Noel and his best friend Tristan survived a gay bashing in college and while they both had and recovered from serious physical injuries, Tristan now has short term memory loss and has been abandoned to a care facility by his parents when they found out he was gay. When Shane and Noel begin to fall for each other, they both know it won't be easy, but Shane also finds himself lying to protect Noel and his brother as he does what he feels he needs to in order to wipe out the crushing debt his brother has taken on in order to save Shane. What saved the story for me when the lies spiraled is that there was never anything malicious and Shane really felt he had no other place to turn.
Aside from Shane and Noel, I really liked the relationship between Shane and his brother, but my favorite was probably Tristan and Noel, and later including Shane. Tristan was such an engaging character and his memory problems lead to some heartbreaking moments. There were hints dropped about what may be happening with Tristan at the facility and left that storyline dangling so I'm really hoping for his (and hopefully Gabe's) story next.
February 19, 2015
This is the story of Noel, a closeted cop, and Shane, a stripper.They meet "face to thong butt" when a party goes wrong and become fuck buddies and boyfriends as the story progresses.
There were some things i didn't like at all:
- The lies. So many lies and secrets that went on and on through the whole story.
- The porn.I didn't like the fact that Shane did porn WHILE he had a boyfriend.I actually felt a little uncomfortable because the whole time he was doing it he kept thinking "i don't want this, i hate this". I know that he was in a really rough spot but still...
- Noel's reaction when he found out about the porn which i'm not going to spoil.
-The totally unnecessary angst on top of everything else towards the end of the book.
What i DID like (thus the 3 stars):
- The chemistry between the MCs was off the charts and i did feel their connection.
-The secondary characters.Tristan especially stole my heart and i hope the author does him justice.
-The story itself was engaging and i did care for the HEA
So,the book was the mother of all angsts,but overall i liked it i will probably be reading book 2 :)
There were some things i didn't like at all:
- The lies. So many lies and secrets that went on and on through the whole story.
- The porn.I didn't like the fact that Shane did porn WHILE he had a boyfriend.I actually felt a little uncomfortable because the whole time he was doing it he kept thinking "i don't want this, i hate this". I know that he was in a really rough spot but still...
- Noel's reaction when he found out about the porn which i'm not going to spoil.
-The totally unnecessary angst on top of everything else towards the end of the book.
What i DID like (thus the 3 stars):
- The chemistry between the MCs was off the charts and i did feel their connection.
-The secondary characters.Tristan especially stole my heart and i hope the author does him justice.
-The story itself was engaging and i did care for the HEA
So,the book was the mother of all angsts,but overall i liked it i will probably be reading book 2 :)
April 14, 2018
4-14-18: The ebook is FREE on Amazon US. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XKR6YCQ/
The audio is $2.99
2016 Review:
Holy shit I am a mess!! That ending, are you kidding me?? I am bawling my eyes out here!!!!!!! I was NOT expecting it to end that way. This was really good, crying incuded.
Really, bring tissues.
I wasnt sure about this book at the beginning, the audio narrator accent for Noelle killed me, but i got used to it. This was a drama filled story with lots of angst. These men didn't have an easy life. Poor Tristan. I can't wait to read his story. So excited!! But i need to clear my current pile of books before i can start it. :(
Highly recommend. And if u get the chance, the audio is really good!!
The audio is $2.99
2016 Review:
Holy shit I am a mess!! That ending, are you kidding me?? I am bawling my eyes out here!!!!!!! I was NOT expecting it to end that way. This was really good, crying incuded.
Really, bring tissues.
I wasnt sure about this book at the beginning, the audio narrator accent for Noelle killed me, but i got used to it. This was a drama filled story with lots of angst. These men didn't have an easy life. Poor Tristan. I can't wait to read his story. So excited!! But i need to clear my current pile of books before i can start it. :(
Highly recommend. And if u get the chance, the audio is really good!!
February 10, 2015
My Review:
Wow...be warned. You need to read this book with a box of tissues nearby. I literally had to stop reading a couple of times because I was sobbing so hard, I couldn't breathe. This book is that good and that emotional.
There are two men at the heart of this book who've both suffered in different ways. The first is Noel who's a cop. He's closeted because he's still a young cop on the force trying to be judged for his job and not anything else. In college he and his friend were targeted so he's wary for very good reason. But that's why he's a cop...he wants to protect others from wrongs. And he's doing exactly that when he meets Shane...a stripper tied up at a female's birthday party.
Shane...OMG. *sob* This guy simply cannot catch a break. From the age of ten every time he's done the right thing, the wrong thing has happened. As a result, he's more than a little broken. And as the book progresses, he becomes even more so. He's trying to find a way out of the hole he caused for his brother and him and everything just seems to work against him...besides Noel. Noel is definitely his only shelter and safe place.
But Noel is also Tristan's safe place. This book would be incredible without Tristan...but...wow, it was made so much richer by the addition of this heart-breaking character who's Noel's best friend. Tristan is damaged, too. But Noel takes care of him and cares for him...the only person who does. Which is so sad in its own right. He's only 23 and deserves so much more. His loneliness seeps off the page with heart-breaking clarity. I just wanted to bundle him up and take him home with me and make it my job in life to find him someone...Luckily, I hear that the author already has plans for him and yes...Tony/Gabe. Another character I fell in love with.
So are you getting it yet?? Have I convinced you? This book is so good. And it's not just the romance...it's the friendships...and the family...and the support...that take this book from good to absolutely heart-stopping AMAZING. Bring on book #2...it cannot come fast enough.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book though and fully plan to buy a print copy if it comes available for my keeper shelf.
Wow...be warned. You need to read this book with a box of tissues nearby. I literally had to stop reading a couple of times because I was sobbing so hard, I couldn't breathe. This book is that good and that emotional.
There are two men at the heart of this book who've both suffered in different ways. The first is Noel who's a cop. He's closeted because he's still a young cop on the force trying to be judged for his job and not anything else. In college he and his friend were targeted so he's wary for very good reason. But that's why he's a cop...he wants to protect others from wrongs. And he's doing exactly that when he meets Shane...a stripper tied up at a female's birthday party.
Shane...OMG. *sob* This guy simply cannot catch a break. From the age of ten every time he's done the right thing, the wrong thing has happened. As a result, he's more than a little broken. And as the book progresses, he becomes even more so. He's trying to find a way out of the hole he caused for his brother and him and everything just seems to work against him...besides Noel. Noel is definitely his only shelter and safe place.
But Noel is also Tristan's safe place. This book would be incredible without Tristan...but...wow, it was made so much richer by the addition of this heart-breaking character who's Noel's best friend. Tristan is damaged, too. But Noel takes care of him and cares for him...the only person who does. Which is so sad in its own right. He's only 23 and deserves so much more. His loneliness seeps off the page with heart-breaking clarity. I just wanted to bundle him up and take him home with me and make it my job in life to find him someone...Luckily, I hear that the author already has plans for him and yes...Tony/Gabe. Another character I fell in love with.
So are you getting it yet?? Have I convinced you? This book is so good. And it's not just the romance...it's the friendships...and the family...and the support...that take this book from good to absolutely heart-stopping AMAZING. Bring on book #2...it cannot come fast enough.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book though and fully plan to buy a print copy if it comes available for my keeper shelf.
February 10, 2015
5 PERFECT STARS!
You can find my full review, with favorite quotes, on TBQ's Book Palace!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
I’ve yet to read one of A.M. Arthur’s books that I didn’t like. No Such Thing was my first M/M romance, and it holds a special place in my reader heart for that reason – and because it was a great story. Since then, I've read each new release from Arthur and thoroughly enjoyed each one.
But as good as her previous books were, none compare to The Truth As He Knows It! Hands down, this is my favorite book of hers, and a top pick for 2015.
I’ll try not to gush and rave, but I can’t make any promises. This book was just THAT GOOD. I’m not the only one that thinks so; last month I had TWO conversations with two different readers about how amazing TTAHKI is. Always a good sign, people!
I will say this: TTAHKI may not be for everyone. It’s an angst-y read, with drama and secrets. Some readers may not like that.
I, however, loved every fucking minute of it, and I couldn't get enough, even as my gut was twisted into knots from the story being told. Their story hurts, but in the best possible way. To some it may seem "overly dramatic" but I would disagree. Everything that happened to these boys seems very real. Life can be shitty, it can be messy, so why shouldn't it be that way in books, too?
Shane and Noel have such deep pasts, and just when you think everything from their past (Shane’s in particular) has been told, another layer is revealed. These two sexy man – gah, they left my heart aching for them! I won’t spoil anything, but trust me when I say you will want to give both Shane and Noel big hugs of comfort . . . a perhaps a not-so-innocent kiss.
TTAHKI is so damn emotional, I was teary eyed – no joke! – during one scene, and hurting during a dozen more. Arthur did a good job at tearing my heart out a time or two, yet I loved it, and could no more turn away from the book than refuse to breathe.
I loved this book. LOVED IT. That should be my entire review, because it is the solid truth.
The sex scenes are sexy as hell, and I loved how dirty Shane and Noel were with each other. Arthur’s previous books were sexy, and done well, but this? This was ten times better, and she was able to vividly paint the dirty scenes in a way that left me extremely pleased.
Deep emotions, hot sex, and great characters – The Truth As He Knows It has all that and more. I couldn't read it fast enough, yet I didn't want to finish it because I didn't want to see their story end. No matter what Arthur gives us in the coming years, I know that Shane and Noel’s story will remain firmly in my list of top favorite m/m reads! I've already pre-ordered my own copy to keep, since I will be rereading this amazing romance again and again. I’m dying for the next book, which will be Gabe and Tristan, whom I absolutely adored. October is too far away! I suppose I’ll just have to pester her even more on Twitter until then. For fans of m/m, A.M. Arthur is definitely an author to keep an eye on, and TTAHKI is a must-read!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
I will also be interview A.M. on the blog February 16th!
You can find my full review, with favorite quotes, on TBQ's Book Palace!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
I’ve yet to read one of A.M. Arthur’s books that I didn’t like. No Such Thing was my first M/M romance, and it holds a special place in my reader heart for that reason – and because it was a great story. Since then, I've read each new release from Arthur and thoroughly enjoyed each one.
But as good as her previous books were, none compare to The Truth As He Knows It! Hands down, this is my favorite book of hers, and a top pick for 2015.
I’ll try not to gush and rave, but I can’t make any promises. This book was just THAT GOOD. I’m not the only one that thinks so; last month I had TWO conversations with two different readers about how amazing TTAHKI is. Always a good sign, people!
I will say this: TTAHKI may not be for everyone. It’s an angst-y read, with drama and secrets. Some readers may not like that.
I, however, loved every fucking minute of it, and I couldn't get enough, even as my gut was twisted into knots from the story being told. Their story hurts, but in the best possible way. To some it may seem "overly dramatic" but I would disagree. Everything that happened to these boys seems very real. Life can be shitty, it can be messy, so why shouldn't it be that way in books, too?
Shane and Noel have such deep pasts, and just when you think everything from their past (Shane’s in particular) has been told, another layer is revealed. These two sexy man – gah, they left my heart aching for them! I won’t spoil anything, but trust me when I say you will want to give both Shane and Noel big hugs of comfort . . . a perhaps a not-so-innocent kiss.
TTAHKI is so damn emotional, I was teary eyed – no joke! – during one scene, and hurting during a dozen more. Arthur did a good job at tearing my heart out a time or two, yet I loved it, and could no more turn away from the book than refuse to breathe.
I loved this book. LOVED IT. That should be my entire review, because it is the solid truth.
The sex scenes are sexy as hell, and I loved how dirty Shane and Noel were with each other. Arthur’s previous books were sexy, and done well, but this? This was ten times better, and she was able to vividly paint the dirty scenes in a way that left me extremely pleased.
Deep emotions, hot sex, and great characters – The Truth As He Knows It has all that and more. I couldn't read it fast enough, yet I didn't want to finish it because I didn't want to see their story end. No matter what Arthur gives us in the coming years, I know that Shane and Noel’s story will remain firmly in my list of top favorite m/m reads! I've already pre-ordered my own copy to keep, since I will be rereading this amazing romance again and again. I’m dying for the next book, which will be Gabe and Tristan, whom I absolutely adored. October is too far away! I suppose I’ll just have to pester her even more on Twitter until then. For fans of m/m, A.M. Arthur is definitely an author to keep an eye on, and TTAHKI is a must-read!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
I will also be interview A.M. on the blog February 16th!
February 14, 2015
YOU'LL NEED THE TISSUES AFTER THIS ONE!!
Oh, not in a sexual way( or maybe yes *winks* )as the SEX is hot!
Good M/M erotic romance....
Story of Noel and Shane, both who had troubled pasts
Noel is a cop and first meets Shane when he is called to a house party out of control where Shane was stripping....they run into each other again and hook up and are soon getting down and dirty
Shane and his brother had massive debts as a result of things happening in their past,so apart from the stripping Shane starts to do Porn to make money and this was where the problem was for me...not the fact he was a Porn Star butI just couldn't get my head around certain issues
I felt for Shane..
I mean how much shit can a character go through
I loved Noel' s character and his devotion to his friend Tristain
It just didn't hold my attention, I kept skipping of and reading other things, it's a Shame as I loved the 2 main characters, their sexual chemistry was hot, oh and did I not mention..???
Lots
and
Lots
and
Lots of HOT M/M action!!
The last 15% had me in tears..but the outcome was good, bitter sweet, but good
Oh, not in a sexual way( or maybe yes *winks* )as the SEX is hot!
Good M/M erotic romance....
Story of Noel and Shane, both who had troubled pasts
Noel is a cop and first meets Shane when he is called to a house party out of control where Shane was stripping....they run into each other again and hook up and are soon getting down and dirty
Shane and his brother had massive debts as a result of things happening in their past,so apart from the stripping Shane starts to do Porn to make money and this was where the problem was for me...not the fact he was a Porn Star butI just couldn't get my head around certain issues
I felt for Shane..
I mean how much shit can a character go through
I loved Noel' s character and his devotion to his friend Tristain
It just didn't hold my attention, I kept skipping of and reading other things, it's a Shame as I loved the 2 main characters, their sexual chemistry was hot, oh and did I not mention..???
Lots
and
Lots
and
Lots of HOT M/M action!!
The last 15% had me in tears..but the outcome was good, bitter sweet, but good
Read
April 16, 2024Gonna leave this one for now. Not feeling it currently! I do like the MCs though.
April 26, 2016
1 EXPLETIVE DELETED STAR and that is it, I am DONE with A.M. Arthur, I am so sick of emo-porn and heaping tragedy upon tragedy upon somebody until LOVE HEALS ALL - ugh, OVER IT.
Ok, after a deep breath - this was actually a 3 star read until the end.
I mean, I was annoyed with the coy hints being dropped about 'what really happened that night' (for two different nights for the two different characters) even though it was pretty telegraphed what they would be. It's a bit of a pet peeve of mine when the author tries to 'hide the secret' from the audience, while making a big deal about what a BIG DEAL it was, and then the reveal is something super obvious that I guessed early on. (And that was the case for both MCs and their 'secret(s)')
But ok, fine, that's fine, I could deal with that. The relationship between the MCs was nice and I liked them working through their issues together. I did get a bit bored with all of the drama and actually put the book down for in the middle for a day but picked it back up thinking 'well, at least now we're about to go into wrap-up mode, yay.' And I was celebrating the fact that at least there was fairly minimal insertion of characters-from-previous-books.
Then I get to the last chapters and it was like, oh nice, great, lets just throw MORE tragedy into the mix, because the characters haven't suffered enough. If you're trying to make me cry so that the true love touches my heart, epic fail, because all I feel is rage about using tragedy-porn as a substitute for emotion and how the author seems to just be trying to top her previous books 'list of horrible things that happened to the MC(s)' with each book. OVER IT.
SO MAD RIGHT NOW.
dnf
February 12, 2015DNF at 35%
If somebody is cruel, shuts you down at every turn, and has no qualms about punching you in the face (to make you go away because you deserve better) and you still pine for his sorry ass? I'm so done. I don't have the time or the energy for this bull shit. This is hurt/comfort gone awry IMHO. Having been traumatized years ago does not give one grace to treat others like crap. In a similar vein, riding in on a white horse to pine after someone who treats you like crap is just as unappealing. That is not a savior in my book; it's a shmuck. Just my humble opinion.
Bottom line: No way.
If somebody is cruel, shuts you down at every turn, and has no qualms about punching you in the face (to make you go away because you deserve better) and you still pine for his sorry ass? I'm so done. I don't have the time or the energy for this bull shit. This is hurt/comfort gone awry IMHO. Having been traumatized years ago does not give one grace to treat others like crap. In a similar vein, riding in on a white horse to pine after someone who treats you like crap is just as unappealing. That is not a savior in my book; it's a shmuck. Just my humble opinion.
Bottom line: No way.
September 16, 2018
0 Stars. One of the worst books I’ve ever read. The main characters are so unlike able that I wanted to scream. Was this the same author who wrote those wonderful books about Clean Ranch. If I could give this crappy book zero stars I would. I hated both of the main characters. They deserved each other. I don’t know if I can read anything by A.M. Authur ever again.
May 3, 2018
BEWARE OF SPOILERS - NOT EVERYTHING IS UNDER A SPOILER TAG!!
*** If you loved this book, I suggest you not read this review because it's the grandmother of all RANTS!!*** For everyone else, for backup, there are updates to scroll through as well!!***
Update #4: Poor Jason. Poor, poor, Jason!! I mean seriously, didn't all these guys suffer enough?!!? WHY dangle the light at the end of the tunnel, why dangle the hope a heart transplant will deliver, only to fuck around with our emotions and dash those hopes with the lights of that oncoming train?!!? I'm pissed off because what happened to Jason DIDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN!! The glee this author got in wiping out Jason was almost perverse, because there was NO reason! NONE other than for her entertainment and OUR dismay!! I am so SO angry!! This ending was like a spit in the faces of this author's MCs/characters!! I am pissed!!
But I am glad I tried this book in the end, even suspecting that I'd hate it, you know why? Because I now know I DID give it a chance and that I AM right (just like I knew I'd be)!! I'll never make this mistake again but THIS mistake is one I'm glad I made, because the difference between not reading this and reading this, is that NOW I can fairly give this book MINUS A GAZILLION STARS!!!! JUST. BECAUSE. I CAN!! CHECK AND MATE!!
--- Also, X-Ray for the heart?!!? UHHHHHH wouldn't it be a CT, MRI, Ultrasound, or some other type of Imaging or test?!!? This makes ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE!!
ALSO, if Jason was put on a transplant list and his ICD stopped working with his heart condition worsening, wouldn't he have been hospitalized?!!? I get that the healthcare system in the States is absolute fucking SHIT, but still ... !!! I don't know ... this whole book just rubs me entirely the wrong way and NO amount of amazingly HOT fucking sex, (because yes, the sex in this book was SCORCHING), could fix this book!! Outside of ending ENTIRELY differently, NOTHING could!!
**********************************
Update #3: I'm getting increasingly annoyed at the author :-/!! The more I read and fall (PLATONICALLY) in love with Shane/Jody's brother, Jason, and the more I find out [from others I'm chatting with] about WHEN and how it happens at 94% (translation: AT THE VERY END AND SOOOO FUCKING CLOSE TO AN HEA), it becomes clearer and clearer to me that this was in NO way conducive/productive/helpful to the narrative, and that it was POINTLESS!! THEN it becomes aggressively clear [something I've suspected from the get-go] that the author did this to Jason JUST because she can!! There was NO other reason other than the author simply feeling like it; frankly, poor Jason never stood a change [by her own admission], and that kind of gleeful and pointless tragedy is something I find to be incredibly obnoxious (and even manipulative)!! Just ... this pisses me off >:-o!!!!
*** By the way, the ailment Jason has is VERY treatable it seems!! So with ALLLLLL the tragedies this author apparently kept throwing at these poor characters/MCs, she could have been kind enough to do THIS for them, so they ALL got their HEA!!
Hey, I get tragedies happen along the way, but there is NO point to this here in terms of the advancement of the story, this does NOTHING for the story, it was completely pointless!! Fuck, it happens at 94% for crying out loud! WHY?!!? UGH!! I'm annoyed! // End rant for now!
And before someone says “well that happens sometimes in life”, I’ll say: yes, but we don’t read to be reminded of the sorrows, injustices, and tragedies that can potentially happen to the unlucky!! I am willing to go through almost ANYTHING in a book and have loved some of the absolute darkest and most FILLED with anguish, BUT the caveat is the same ... they all MUST have a gloriously wonderful ending!! And while yes, I know the MCs here DO get their beautiful HEA, with Jason being so intrinsically connected with Shane, I feel like he’s a secondary MC and most definitely deserved an HEA too!! I feel like he got robbed of that and it’s horrible!!
*************************
Update #2: You know what, I own this [though it WAS free on Amazon], and I'm going to try this anyway ...
Though I am AGAINST contrived drama/angst manufactured for shock value, with it not being absolutely crucial or purposeful to the overall storyline, ESPECIALLY when it happens at the END of the book [WTF?!!?], I'm going to give this a try!! WHY? Because I've heard there ARE other aspects to this book that ARE great - like the hot hot hot HOT sex :-P - and so I've decided I'll at least try and go from there!! Let's do this ...
I have to jokingly wonder though if this author not-so-secretly enjoys torturing her MCs, especially by making their loved ones suffer and/or die horribly :-/!! I mean, I even asked once, do you hate your characters or what?!! The way this author laughs about and even refers to killing off her characters with such unadulterated glee, makes me think she really enjoys the shock value!! Based on the degree of over-the-top angst I hear flies through this author’s books, you have to wonder if there’s a touch of literary G-d complex happening here!! This syndrome reminds me of Mercy Celeste but hopefully this is way way way WAAAYYYYYY better!!
Hmmm ... :-P!! Whatever, let's see ... I really REALLY hope I end up REALLY liking this!!
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Update #1: I'm positive I would have adored this book! BUT - I want an HEA and what happens so close to the end doesn't feel like one [it feels more bittersweet] :-/!! So knowing what I know - in great detail, thanks to someone who was willing to provide spoilers - I'd rather pass than give a book a rating it doesn’t deserve :-)! I hope that makes sense!
If I know I can't enjoy a book to its fullest even BEFORE I've started, I don't think it's fair to continue :-)!! I'll be starting this series from book #2 onward :-)!!
*** If you loved this book, I suggest you not read this review because it's the grandmother of all RANTS!!*** For everyone else, for backup, there are updates to scroll through as well!!***
Update #4: Poor Jason. Poor, poor, Jason!! I mean seriously, didn't all these guys suffer enough?!!? WHY dangle the light at the end of the tunnel, why dangle the hope a heart transplant will deliver, only to fuck around with our emotions and dash those hopes with the lights of that oncoming train?!!? I'm pissed off because what happened to Jason DIDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN!! The glee this author got in wiping out Jason was almost perverse, because there was NO reason! NONE other than for her entertainment and OUR dismay!! I am so SO angry!! This ending was like a spit in the faces of this author's MCs/characters!! I am pissed!!
But I am glad I tried this book in the end, even suspecting that I'd hate it, you know why? Because I now know I DID give it a chance and that I AM right (just like I knew I'd be)!! I'll never make this mistake again but THIS mistake is one I'm glad I made, because the difference between not reading this and reading this, is that NOW I can fairly give this book MINUS A GAZILLION STARS!!!! JUST. BECAUSE. I CAN!! CHECK AND MATE!!
--- Also, X-Ray for the heart?!!? UHHHHHH wouldn't it be a CT, MRI, Ultrasound, or some other type of Imaging or test?!!? This makes ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE!!
ALSO, if Jason was put on a transplant list and his ICD stopped working with his heart condition worsening, wouldn't he have been hospitalized?!!? I get that the healthcare system in the States is absolute fucking SHIT, but still ... !!! I don't know ... this whole book just rubs me entirely the wrong way and NO amount of amazingly HOT fucking sex, (because yes, the sex in this book was SCORCHING), could fix this book!! Outside of ending ENTIRELY differently, NOTHING could!!
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Update #3: I'm getting increasingly annoyed at the author :-/!! The more I read and fall (PLATONICALLY) in love with Shane/Jody's brother, Jason, and the more I find out [from others I'm chatting with] about WHEN and how it happens at 94% (translation: AT THE VERY END AND SOOOO FUCKING CLOSE TO AN HEA), it becomes clearer and clearer to me that this was in NO way conducive/productive/helpful to the narrative, and that it was POINTLESS!! THEN it becomes aggressively clear [something I've suspected from the get-go] that the author did this to Jason JUST because she can!! There was NO other reason other than the author simply feeling like it; frankly, poor Jason never stood a change [by her own admission], and that kind of gleeful and pointless tragedy is something I find to be incredibly obnoxious (and even manipulative)!! Just ... this pisses me off >:-o!!!!
*** By the way, the ailment Jason has is VERY treatable it seems!! So with ALLLLLL the tragedies this author apparently kept throwing at these poor characters/MCs, she could have been kind enough to do THIS for them, so they ALL got their HEA!!
Hey, I get tragedies happen along the way, but there is NO point to this here in terms of the advancement of the story, this does NOTHING for the story, it was completely pointless!! Fuck, it happens at 94% for crying out loud! WHY?!!? UGH!! I'm annoyed! // End rant for now!
And before someone says “well that happens sometimes in life”, I’ll say: yes, but we don’t read to be reminded of the sorrows, injustices, and tragedies that can potentially happen to the unlucky!! I am willing to go through almost ANYTHING in a book and have loved some of the absolute darkest and most FILLED with anguish, BUT the caveat is the same ... they all MUST have a gloriously wonderful ending!! And while yes, I know the MCs here DO get their beautiful HEA, with Jason being so intrinsically connected with Shane, I feel like he’s a secondary MC and most definitely deserved an HEA too!! I feel like he got robbed of that and it’s horrible!!
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Update #2: You know what, I own this [though it WAS free on Amazon], and I'm going to try this anyway ...
Though I am AGAINST contrived drama/angst manufactured for shock value, with it not being absolutely crucial or purposeful to the overall storyline, ESPECIALLY when it happens at the END of the book [WTF?!!?], I'm going to give this a try!! WHY? Because I've heard there ARE other aspects to this book that ARE great - like the hot hot hot HOT sex :-P - and so I've decided I'll at least try and go from there!! Let's do this ...
I have to jokingly wonder though if this author not-so-secretly enjoys torturing her MCs, especially by making their loved ones suffer and/or die horribly :-/!! I mean, I even asked once, do you hate your characters or what?!! The way this author laughs about and even refers to killing off her characters with such unadulterated glee, makes me think she really enjoys the shock value!! Based on the degree of over-the-top angst I hear flies through this author’s books, you have to wonder if there’s a touch of literary G-d complex happening here!! This syndrome reminds me of Mercy Celeste but hopefully this is way way way WAAAYYYYYY better!!
Hmmm ... :-P!! Whatever, let's see ... I really REALLY hope I end up REALLY liking this!!
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Update #1: I'm positive I would have adored this book! BUT - I want an HEA and what happens so close to the end doesn't feel like one [it feels more bittersweet] :-/!! So knowing what I know - in great detail, thanks to someone who was willing to provide spoilers - I'd rather pass than give a book a rating it doesn’t deserve :-)! I hope that makes sense!
If I know I can't enjoy a book to its fullest even BEFORE I've started, I don't think it's fair to continue :-)!! I'll be starting this series from book #2 onward :-)!!
May 27, 2015
4.5 Tragic Stars!!
Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Samhain Publishing via NetGalley
This is a spin off series from the Cost of Repairs series with some of the same characters being background characters. I haven't read the whole Cost of Repair series but now I think I need to. In this book we have Noel Carlson who is a young in the closet cop after a major gay bashing of him and his best friend. We also have Shane AKA as Jody McShane or AKA as Colby who is a young men with loads of secrets and burdens on his young soul which causes him to do anything to help him and his older brother out.
He learned to keep secrets because telling got him hurt.
Some of Shane's choices have caused him to need extra money so he starts to strip on the side which is where he meets the hunky cop Noel as Noel quickly gets him out a potentially bad situation. The connection is instant but they both have many secrets that can destroy them.
"You're right, though. I've never had a real relationship either. But I know enough to know that you don't end things in a fit of anger without talking about it."
This story had so much heartache and tragic parts that I was weeping for the last part of the book but it also had hope, friendship and love. God! Poor Shane, has lived with nothing but tragedy and is plagued with so much guilt and burden. But finally him and his brother get a glimmer of hope from their burdens even though it nearly kills Shane with his choices, but then poor Shane gets hit with more tragedy that I could barely keep it together.
Thankfully even though it was a rocky road for them that he had Noel to help him through this very trying time. My fingers are crossed that Tristan will get a book maybe with Gabe????? Here's hoping.
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January 25, 2015
This might possibly have been Ms Arthur's most angsty book to date. I seriously cried a lot, right near the end because of course, the thing I didn't want to happen, happened, so that was just aarrggh.
A companion series to the Cost of Repairs series, this presents us with Shane and Noel, a stripper and a cop. Even though their lives now are quite different, they both came from poor families and suffered greatly in their youth, so they connect on a powerful level, and it's not long before the heat of their intimacy becomes more important than their secrets.
Oh these boys have suffered. I loved Noel's commitment to his best friend Tristan, and I really hope it's Arthur's intention that the second book in this series be about Tristan .
Nobody does angsty issues like Arthur. (Except maybe Con Riley). But it's not all sadness and anger. Shane is quite feisty and determined not to be a victim. And even though at one point, I thought his attitude towards Noel was immature and selfish, well yeah, he's young and that's how young people act. It was real.
Noel has to face coming out, if he is to be there for Shane. I liked how he approached this, and his subsequent actions when the world turns even nastier for Shane. Oh lordly, let me be grateful for all that I have.
I will continue to devour Arthur's books. I love them all.
Copy provided by publisher via Netgalley and received with thanks. Due out on the 10th of February.
A companion series to the Cost of Repairs series, this presents us with Shane and Noel, a stripper and a cop. Even though their lives now are quite different, they both came from poor families and suffered greatly in their youth, so they connect on a powerful level, and it's not long before the heat of their intimacy becomes more important than their secrets.
Oh these boys have suffered. I loved Noel's commitment to his best friend Tristan, and I really hope it's Arthur's intention that the second book in this series be about Tristan .
Nobody does angsty issues like Arthur. (Except maybe Con Riley). But it's not all sadness and anger. Shane is quite feisty and determined not to be a victim. And even though at one point, I thought his attitude towards Noel was immature and selfish, well yeah, he's young and that's how young people act. It was real.
Noel has to face coming out, if he is to be there for Shane. I liked how he approached this, and his subsequent actions when the world turns even nastier for Shane. Oh lordly, let me be grateful for all that I have.
I will continue to devour Arthur's books. I love them all.
Copy provided by publisher via Netgalley and received with thanks. Due out on the 10th of February.
January 14, 2023
I was excited to finally have the chance to jump into a book by a new-to-me author. I'd heard so many wonderful things about 'The Truth as He Knows It', and the blurb whet my appetite for more. I had no idea I was going to get so much more than I expected. A story about two lonely men, both with baggage and serious pain in their pasts, not only finding each other but discovering a way to deal with everything life has handed them.
"One day soon, he would put Shane Joseph to rest, and finally figure out who Jody McShane really was."
Shane and his brother, Jason's, lives have been crap for the past fourteen years. Jason is eight years older and their stepfather threw him out when he was eighteen. It wasn't until months later that Jason found out the hell Shane had been living through. It took everything Jason had, particularly as an ex-con, to get custody of his little brother. Then it took more when disaster struck Shane in his teens. Now, both brothers are working themselves into the ground, more Jason even, than Shane. And both brothers have a lot of secrets to hide.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
"One day soon, he would put Shane Joseph to rest, and finally figure out who Jody McShane really was."
Shane and his brother, Jason's, lives have been crap for the past fourteen years. Jason is eight years older and their stepfather threw him out when he was eighteen. It wasn't until months later that Jason found out the hell Shane had been living through. It took everything Jason had, particularly as an ex-con, to get custody of his little brother. Then it took more when disaster struck Shane in his teens. Now, both brothers are working themselves into the ground, more Jason even, than Shane. And both brothers have a lot of secrets to hide.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
September 8, 2019
4.5 stars. Holy hell, that was one tough read. The shit that these two went through tore my heart out. I hate to say it but I know the final secret from the very beginning but it's fine, it didn't take away from the story. I'm sorry that ending, there really wasn't any need for that to have happened & that is why I'm only giving this a 4.5 stars. Off to the next one - Tristan & Gabe's story. I can't wait for Tristan to have his HEA as he so deserves it. I also hope they are able to find a way to help him w/his memory, maybe not necessarily a fix but maybe making it better.
February 20, 2024
Reread 02/2024 review-4.2～4.3 stars??
Reread 10/2022 review- 4.5～4.7 stars??
Reread 04/2021 review- Skipping all the s*x scenes, I rate this 4.75～4.8 stars. I love angst/hc. Still not a fan of the narrator but 🤷🏻♀️, it’s doable.
Original 09/2019 review- 4.5 stars. I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would!! Although, I will admit that Noel‘s name initially bothered me, and a few of the other things he did. I am not sure if I will read Tristan‘s book or not, even though I enjoyed this one. The narrator was not very good.
Reread 10/2022 review- 4.5～4.7 stars??
Reread 04/2021 review- Skipping all the s*x scenes, I rate this 4.75～4.8 stars. I love angst/hc. Still not a fan of the narrator but 🤷🏻♀️, it’s doable.
Original 09/2019 review- 4.5 stars. I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would!! Although, I will admit that Noel‘s name initially bothered me, and a few of the other things he did. I am not sure if I will read Tristan‘s book or not, even though I enjoyed this one. The narrator was not very good.
February 13, 2015
I............I need a moment to recover my emotions. A.M. Arthur? WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?
December 24, 2018
3.5 stars. I’m still crying. But that’s OK, really. The story started off really slow for me. I went to bed last night with a book about half done and thought about not finishing it. But I did and I’m glad. Maybe I was just an off mood last night.
January 13, 2015
Grab some comfort food, a box of tissues, and a snuggly blanket. There is a heartbreaking story here. There is actually one heartbreaking story and the beginnings of another. I’ll get to the another in a minute. The Truth as He Knows It is Shane and Noel’s story. It’s a story of odds stacked so high you’ll easily believe that they won’t be overcome. Nothing in Shane’s life has ever been easy or pretty. He tries to do the right thing but it typically gets messed up in the end.
One of Shane’s ideas to get out of his current situation (large amount of financial debt that keeps him and his brother working multiple jobs and never experiencing all that life has to offer) lands him tied to a bed in nothing but a thong. Stripping was supposed to be quick and easy cash. As soon as the cops show up Shane realizes it is anything but easy. Thankfully the hot cop seems kind and lets him bolt for the door. This chance encounter begins Shane’s ultimate unraveling that will also show him the possibility of a life that he truly believes that he is not worthy of having. Shane knows that there is no way that the cop in Noel will ever see past the mess that is Shane’s life.
Noel’s life isn’t a walk in the park either. He’s living in the closet, rookie at a precinct in a town that he is new to, and he’s living with a past trauma that he gets regular reminders of that he made it out the otherside far better than the other victim did. Noel sees something in Shane though that keeps him wanting to find out more about the sexy man. As they get to know each other little by little they both realize that there is more going for them than the hot sexual encounters that set the pages on fire. The problem is all the secrets and the mess that Shane is trying to work out of his life.
I’m wondering how it is possible that I’ve never read A.M. Arthur before. I also need to figure out what book of hers that I’ll go to next. The one I want to read next is not available. THat would be the second book in the Perspectives series, The World as He Sees It. Readers meet both of those characters here. One of them happens to be that another that I mentioned earlier and I am dying to find out how his story will pan out.
One of Shane’s ideas to get out of his current situation (large amount of financial debt that keeps him and his brother working multiple jobs and never experiencing all that life has to offer) lands him tied to a bed in nothing but a thong. Stripping was supposed to be quick and easy cash. As soon as the cops show up Shane realizes it is anything but easy. Thankfully the hot cop seems kind and lets him bolt for the door. This chance encounter begins Shane’s ultimate unraveling that will also show him the possibility of a life that he truly believes that he is not worthy of having. Shane knows that there is no way that the cop in Noel will ever see past the mess that is Shane’s life.
Noel’s life isn’t a walk in the park either. He’s living in the closet, rookie at a precinct in a town that he is new to, and he’s living with a past trauma that he gets regular reminders of that he made it out the otherside far better than the other victim did. Noel sees something in Shane though that keeps him wanting to find out more about the sexy man. As they get to know each other little by little they both realize that there is more going for them than the hot sexual encounters that set the pages on fire. The problem is all the secrets and the mess that Shane is trying to work out of his life.
I’m wondering how it is possible that I’ve never read A.M. Arthur before. I also need to figure out what book of hers that I’ll go to next. The one I want to read next is not available. THat would be the second book in the Perspectives series, The World as He Sees It. Readers meet both of those characters here. One of them happens to be that another that I mentioned earlier and I am dying to find out how his story will pan out.
February 27, 2015
This review contains spoilers, read at your own risk.
I'm soooo mad right now, I can't see straight! How could you do this to one of my favorite characters???? How could you? He deserved to be happy after what he went through his whole life, death shouldn't have been an option! So I deduct a star from what otherwise would have been an amazing book.
I didn't read the Cost of Repairs series and I don't feel like I'm missing anything when it comes to this book. I liked the characters and the chemistry between them, I liked that a lot. Noel the cop is such an amazing person. He's a great friend to Tristan and a good boyfriend to Shane. He's kind, sweet and supportive, always there for those who need him, he was my favorite character. The sexual chemistry between him and Shane is HOT HOT HOT!!! I love them together, and I hope we get to see more of them in the next books.
Shane....dear Shane, you're a fucking mess! I get it, I really do, because his childhood was crap and his youth wasn't that much better because of the bullying he suffered. BUT....he's an idiot. He didn't NEED to do what he did to get rid of the terrible debt him and Jason were trying to pay off. There's a thing called bankruptcy you know, and sometimes you have no choice but to file it. I'd choose bankruptcy over selling my soul any day, but hey that's just me!
Tristan.....what a darling! I hope we're going to get his story next, and I have a feeling I know who his love interest will be, so I'm impatiently waiting for the next book. Pleeease let it be Tristan's story!
Jason....I'm so sorry for what happened to him. He was an amazing older brother, I loved him to death, he was my second favorite character. I'm so frustrated that the author decided to end his story like that. I was in total disbelief, because I was SURE he deserved his heart transplant and I NEEDED to see him live a happy life. They were finally out of that horrendous debt, it should have been his time to enjoy life. Ugh! Soooo disappointed right now!
***I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.***
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