What do you think?
Rate this book
Surfacing
Used to luxurious, high-profile city life, Chris's world is shattered when tragedy takes his husband and young son. Seeking a life free from pain, Chris returns to his grandfather's cabin on the shores of Wolf Thorn Lake, Maine.
When Chris meets Jake, the earthy young man who resides across the lake, Chris faces his most challenging decision yet. Does he continue his life alone, or does he risk his heart and the potential of love he sees illuminated in Jake's warm eyes?
A young man running from pain, a rural free spirit with the ability to heal, and a wolf who haunts the shore-line of Wolf Thorn Lake illustrate the endurance of the human heart, the capacity to learn how to love again, and the heart's ability to restore even the most wounded of men.
When Chris meets Jake, the earthy young man who resides across the lake, Chris faces his most challenging decision yet. Does he continue his life alone, or does he risk his heart and the potential of love he sees illuminated in Jake's warm eyes?
A young man running from pain, a rural free spirit with the ability to heal, and a wolf who haunts the shore-line of Wolf Thorn Lake illustrate the endurance of the human heart, the capacity to learn how to love again, and the heart's ability to restore even the most wounded of men.
226 pages, ebook
Published April 27, 2016
2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Stephens
23 books5 followersDaniel Stephens teaches Victorian Literature and Contemporary Gay and Lesbian Literature at wonderfully hip university in Eastern PA. Besides writing contemporary romances, he has written critical editions of several Victorian sensation novels. He specializes in Victorian Sensation Fiction of the 1860s.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 26, 2016
After the tragic loss of both his husband and his son, Chris decides to leave the city and head up to Maine where his grandfather has left him a cabin by Wolf Thorn Lake. Still very much at a loss as to what to do with his life now, he figures he can fix up the cabin that has been left alone for far too long and try to make sense of everything. But while the cabin is much as expected, the town and the people in it are more than a little surprising. Especially the laid-back hippie cook at the local diner, Jake. The connection Chris and Jake share is almost magical, but Chris has no idea if he can handle the idea of loving a new man while still very much grieving the loss of his husband and son.
This book does a very good job of showing the many facets of grief. Nearly two years after the loss of his family you can still clearly see that Chris is suffering, but it is also enough time for me to see that moving on (both geographically, and romantically) is possible for the character. And yet that it still lets Chris struggle with the conflict between wanting this new life in Wof Thorn and with Jake, without it seeming unrealistic or at least melodramatic. That scene where Chris completely loses it, near the end, is very heartbreaking–-and yet it is still one of my favorite parts of the story.
There are some things about this story though that I just struggled with despite all that.
One is the oddly out of sync time/seasons in this book.
So…I don’t know if this is a Northeastern thing, or what, but I had a hard time following the timeline of this book because it seemed like we experienced all four seasons in a matter of months and I’m not entirely sure how that happened. You see, here in California (at least in the valley) we have two seasons: rain and fire. Because of this I automatically assume that when there is a freaking snow storm it is like the deepest of winters. Like I should start worrying about snow zombies or something. But I do get that other parts of the country are weird and have snow more than once every fifteen years. So, maybe that is just my problem. But we start the book off in winter (at least the tail end of it, it seems like), then we have spring. And I’m still good with everything up to this point. Then a couple months(?) go by and then it is summer. Which is a bit abrupt, but I guess that seems ok. But then three weeks later we are experiencing fall and I am completely confused. So either more time has passed and I accidentally missed that part of the book…or Maine has like seven months of winter followed by extremely short springs, summers, and autumns. And hey, maybe that is how things work up there. But I wish it had been better fleshed out for us people who are not exactly familiar with how time (doesn’t) work in Maine.
I also had a problem handling the mysticism in this book. Not because I think it was bad or anything, but because my brain just couldn’t get around it for some reason. I think because I went into this story with a ‘contemporary’ mindset, it just did not compute the whole wolf/wise-woman/nature-is-pulling-them-together kind of thing that was going on here. Give me a fantasy or a paranormal and you could sell me that the moon is made of cheesecake….but if I go in thinking contemporary I have a very hard time accepting all this mystical stuff as real. So every time it came up I tended to roll my eyes and hope it was over quickly. This is not so much a problem with the story, but with me–-still it did make the book harder for me to enjoy.
This book had a lot of things going for it, but for me it was a harder fit than most. Right off the bat with the 3rd person omniscient point of view, I felt slightly disconnected from the story (and a little confused as to why inanimate objects were experiencing human emotions). While Chris’ heartbreak was real and something I enjoyed watching him work thru, the rest of the book struggled to hold my attention. Since most of the things in this book that were issues are related to personal preference other readers might find this a much easier and friendlier read. As for me…it left me a bit torn between mild appreciation and frustration.
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 book does a very good job of showing the many facets of grief. Nearly two years after the loss of his family you can still clearly see that Chris is suffering, but it is also enough time for me to see that moving on (both geographically, and romantically) is possible for the character. And yet that it still lets Chris struggle with the conflict between wanting this new life in Wof Thorn and with Jake, without it seeming unrealistic or at least melodramatic. That scene where Chris completely loses it, near the end, is very heartbreaking–-and yet it is still one of my favorite parts of the story.
There are some things about this story though that I just struggled with despite all that.
One is the oddly out of sync time/seasons in this book.
So…I don’t know if this is a Northeastern thing, or what, but I had a hard time following the timeline of this book because it seemed like we experienced all four seasons in a matter of months and I’m not entirely sure how that happened. You see, here in California (at least in the valley) we have two seasons: rain and fire. Because of this I automatically assume that when there is a freaking snow storm it is like the deepest of winters. Like I should start worrying about snow zombies or something. But I do get that other parts of the country are weird and have snow more than once every fifteen years. So, maybe that is just my problem. But we start the book off in winter (at least the tail end of it, it seems like), then we have spring. And I’m still good with everything up to this point. Then a couple months(?) go by and then it is summer. Which is a bit abrupt, but I guess that seems ok. But then three weeks later we are experiencing fall and I am completely confused. So either more time has passed and I accidentally missed that part of the book…or Maine has like seven months of winter followed by extremely short springs, summers, and autumns. And hey, maybe that is how things work up there. But I wish it had been better fleshed out for us people who are not exactly familiar with how time (doesn’t) work in Maine.
I also had a problem handling the mysticism in this book. Not because I think it was bad or anything, but because my brain just couldn’t get around it for some reason. I think because I went into this story with a ‘contemporary’ mindset, it just did not compute the whole wolf/wise-woman/nature-is-pulling-them-together kind of thing that was going on here. Give me a fantasy or a paranormal and you could sell me that the moon is made of cheesecake….but if I go in thinking contemporary I have a very hard time accepting all this mystical stuff as real. So every time it came up I tended to roll my eyes and hope it was over quickly. This is not so much a problem with the story, but with me–-still it did make the book harder for me to enjoy.
This book had a lot of things going for it, but for me it was a harder fit than most. Right off the bat with the 3rd person omniscient point of view, I felt slightly disconnected from the story (and a little confused as to why inanimate objects were experiencing human emotions). While Chris’ heartbreak was real and something I enjoyed watching him work thru, the rest of the book struggled to hold my attention. Since most of the things in this book that were issues are related to personal preference other readers might find this a much easier and friendlier read. As for me…it left me a bit torn between mild appreciation and frustration.
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.
September 18, 2018
I know that grief isn't a linear process to go through, and that things can be good one day, and then hopeless the next, but I found much of Chris' reactions to be confusingly erratic. Having his grief overcome him at random times was understandable, but he would work through something, have an epiphany, and then promptly ignore his newfound understanding over and over again. It made the final healing scene to feel too convenient, and not quite believable.
Jake was a very one dimentional character. There wasn't any growth, on his part, and I was a bit disappointed that all of the hints that seemed to indicate that Jake and Chris may have known each other before (maybe as children) never came to anything.
Overall, I liked the story, but I found myself slightly unsatisfied with the way things turned out.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Jake was a very one dimentional character. There wasn't any growth, on his part, and I was a bit disappointed that all of the hints that seemed to indicate that Jake and Chris may have known each other before (maybe as children) never came to anything.
Overall, I liked the story, but I found myself slightly unsatisfied with the way things turned out.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
June 21, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Surfacing is an interesting book. I liked it, but I’m having a difficult time trying to put why I liked it into words. Sure, I love when a character overcomes adversity and falls in love. However, as a started to read Surfacing, I began to worry. Chris was so overwhelmed by his grief, and he didn’t seem to actually want to get past it, even though he told his friends he did. He knew he should, but it was so difficult for him. I had a knot in my stomach, and I was concerned I’d wind up hating this book because too much angst depresses me. How can I enjoy something that makes me feel like I’m drowning?
I’m glad I stuck with it, though. There was a lot going on and it helped to pull me through, almost as much as it helped Chris. I’ll begin with Jake. We first meet him at the White Wolf Café, where he’s the cook. He fits in well with his coworkers and the residents of the town who come in for coffee and gossip. He’s described as “easy on the eyes” and with “kindness of spirit.” Everyone is aware of his bisexuality, but they don’t care because he’s much loved in the community.
The residents of Bayshadow aren’t sure what to do about Chris. They’re a bit concerned because he’s from New York, and most of them are convinced he’ll leave once he sees his first big Maine winter snow. They’re also a bit nervous he’ll change the house because it contributes to the charm that is Bayshadow.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Surfacing is an interesting book. I liked it, but I’m having a difficult time trying to put why I liked it into words. Sure, I love when a character overcomes adversity and falls in love. However, as a started to read Surfacing, I began to worry. Chris was so overwhelmed by his grief, and he didn’t seem to actually want to get past it, even though he told his friends he did. He knew he should, but it was so difficult for him. I had a knot in my stomach, and I was concerned I’d wind up hating this book because too much angst depresses me. How can I enjoy something that makes me feel like I’m drowning?
I’m glad I stuck with it, though. There was a lot going on and it helped to pull me through, almost as much as it helped Chris. I’ll begin with Jake. We first meet him at the White Wolf Café, where he’s the cook. He fits in well with his coworkers and the residents of the town who come in for coffee and gossip. He’s described as “easy on the eyes” and with “kindness of spirit.” Everyone is aware of his bisexuality, but they don’t care because he’s much loved in the community.
The residents of Bayshadow aren’t sure what to do about Chris. They’re a bit concerned because he’s from New York, and most of them are convinced he’ll leave once he sees his first big Maine winter snow. They’re also a bit nervous he’ll change the house because it contributes to the charm that is Bayshadow.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
June 6, 2016
This is a story of grief and new hope. Chris’ grief is wrenching and overwhelming at the start of the story and there are times where honesty of his grief makes this a difficult book to read.
The grief in this book is tempered by a hope of new beginnings and the beauty of the New England setting.
I really loved the lyrical quality of the writing in this story. Some passages are really beautiful to read and some of the descriptions are incredibly moving. But while the prose was moving, there were times I found that I lost the story to the description.
I remain ambivalent about the Native American mysticism in this story but I did love the quirky characters in Chris’ new rural community and I enjoyed the contrast of New England with his New York life.
The central romance didn’t always work for me. Jake felt saint-like at times, putting up with Chris’ self-pity and inner turmoil, but again, grief is ugly and the author works hard to make Chris’ journey honest, even if that doesn’t quite make the leading man heroic or even likeable.
This is a difficult book. Honest grief is difficult to read and I’m sure it is difficult to write. However, there are some beautiful moments that make this story worth reading.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
The grief in this book is tempered by a hope of new beginnings and the beauty of the New England setting.
I really loved the lyrical quality of the writing in this story. Some passages are really beautiful to read and some of the descriptions are incredibly moving. But while the prose was moving, there were times I found that I lost the story to the description.
I remain ambivalent about the Native American mysticism in this story but I did love the quirky characters in Chris’ new rural community and I enjoyed the contrast of New England with his New York life.
The central romance didn’t always work for me. Jake felt saint-like at times, putting up with Chris’ self-pity and inner turmoil, but again, grief is ugly and the author works hard to make Chris’ journey honest, even if that doesn’t quite make the leading man heroic or even likeable.
This is a difficult book. Honest grief is difficult to read and I’m sure it is difficult to write. However, there are some beautiful moments that make this story worth reading.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
June 2, 2016
~I received a free copy of this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review~
3 stars M/M
The blurb for this book made me want to read the book right off the bat. The first few chapters were good, I really got into the book and then it took a strange turn. The whole wolf legend threw me off and the way the author tried to write as if they were writing poetry or something. I can’t put my finger on it but it just took a nose dive for me. I wanted more Chris and Jake and less of all the other stuff. I found myself skimming the book at times because some of it was just going on and on about mother nature, the wolf lore, etc.
3 stars M/M
The blurb for this book made me want to read the book right off the bat. The first few chapters were good, I really got into the book and then it took a strange turn. The whole wolf legend threw me off and the way the author tried to write as if they were writing poetry or something. I can’t put my finger on it but it just took a nose dive for me. I wanted more Chris and Jake and less of all the other stuff. I found myself skimming the book at times because some of it was just going on and on about mother nature, the wolf lore, etc.
February 18, 2018
Gentle and heartbreaking
It's a sad story that ends up being an emotional rollercoaster. Not a typical MM romance, but that's the part of this story that works. Chris is dealing, well, trying to deal with a loss that has spent two years overcome with grief. It brings a lot of emotions in the story, and the writing style takes a little getting used to, but it works. It works for the writer, for the story and for the characters. It's written how it's supposed to be, and if you like MM romances, that is light on the erotica, then this works. A great, gentle read.
It's a sad story that ends up being an emotional rollercoaster. Not a typical MM romance, but that's the part of this story that works. Chris is dealing, well, trying to deal with a loss that has spent two years overcome with grief. It brings a lot of emotions in the story, and the writing style takes a little getting used to, but it works. It works for the writer, for the story and for the characters. It's written how it's supposed to be, and if you like MM romances, that is light on the erotica, then this works. A great, gentle read.
November 6, 2017
Surfacing is without a doubt one of the best romances I have read. I just loved it! Mr. Stephens mixes deep emotions with Native American lore to make a love story that is absolutely unforgettable. I know that I will be reading and re-reading Surfacing for many years to come. If you read only one book before the end of 2017, then make it Surfacing by Mr. Stephens; it is a phenomenal love story.
Regina
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
Regina
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
February 1, 2018
Loved his book.
Great storyline, interesting characters - main and secondary, and just enough angst.
I was given a copy of this novel by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Great storyline, interesting characters - main and secondary, and just enough angst.
I was given a copy of this novel by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2016
I really liked this story. It is about a man who has lost his partner and child at the same time and he is trying to find himself again. He can’t do it in the home they built together so he goes to his grandfather’s cabin. He meets the people of the town and they all are so happy to have him there. They welcome him like family. One in particular has an eye for him, Jake. Jake is a great guy but pushes too soon and Chris runs back to the city fighting his feelings for Jake.
Jake is lost without him and hopes that Chris will figure out what he wants and come back to him.
This is a great story about love, loss and a second chance of love. It shows us how hard a loss can be and how someone has to have the strength to pull them back together. The author did a great job of showing the inner turmoil the main character was going through. He wanted to let Jake into his life but he still loved his husband and child so much.
I highly recommend this story.
Jake is lost without him and hopes that Chris will figure out what he wants and come back to him.
This is a great story about love, loss and a second chance of love. It shows us how hard a loss can be and how someone has to have the strength to pull them back together. The author did a great job of showing the inner turmoil the main character was going through. He wanted to let Jake into his life but he still loved his husband and child so much.
I highly recommend this story.
May 27, 2016
This is my first book by this author and it was very different them what I’m used to. I really didn’t understand the wolf thing but overall it was a really a great story. This book starts a year and a half after Chris lost his husband and his son in a tragic car accident. This was a story about hope and strength and finding new love. As I read I found myself feeling the loss that Chris was feeling. It was absolutely heartbreaking to see what Chris was going through. I really love an author that can put show much feeling into written word. It really makes for a really good book. This was also a story about hope and finding new love. I had an immediate connection with Chris and immediately fell in love with Jake. I highly recommend this story.
I received a free copy of this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2016
Chris is lost, and he is trying to find his way again by moving into the house that his grandfather left for him.
Jake is carefree guy, and when he meets Chris he thinks Chris is out of his reach, but he knows he’s the man for him.
They have a connection, they both know it, but Chris has to find his way out of the pain.
The premises behind the book and Chris’ journey to finding himself keeps you turning the page. I swear I wanted to know why the wolf was so important. Jake’s grandmother was awesome, and she didn’t take any bs from Chris especially when it came to her grandson. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would definitely read more from this author.
Nessa's Book Reviews
Jake is carefree guy, and when he meets Chris he thinks Chris is out of his reach, but he knows he’s the man for him.
They have a connection, they both know it, but Chris has to find his way out of the pain.
The premises behind the book and Chris’ journey to finding himself keeps you turning the page. I swear I wanted to know why the wolf was so important. Jake’s grandmother was awesome, and she didn’t take any bs from Chris especially when it came to her grandson. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would definitely read more from this author.
Nessa's Book Reviews
December 13, 2016
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four stars!
This was a lovely story though it was heart wrenching to see the pan Chris went through in this story. There’s also a bit of mysticism throughout that adds an interesting dynamic. I enjoyed how it was woven into the story. I enjoyed seeing how the changing of the seasons and Chris’s stages of grief and growth paralleled each other.
Chris was fascinating. He was so hurt at the start of the story that I wondered if he and Jake were going to make it. But I loved how Eleanor made him look at himself and didn’t let Chris hide when he wanted to. I loved the scene towards the end where he tries to run away. It’s sweet and melancholy and the perfect way to bring everything around.
I really wanted to get to know more about Jake. There’s enough of him that you can get the sense of him. But there’s more to his story that I wanted to see. He’s a really open and honest person and I liked how he wasn’t afraid of what others though. He is who he is and doesn’t really care too much about material things in life. It was lovely watching him fall for Chris but it was hard watching him get hurt.
I loved the ending. Seeing Chris and Jake happy together at the end was the best way to bring everything together. It was a very touching scene and I loved how it was written. I would enjoy reading more about these two in more stories. Though they are solidly together at the end so I’m not sure what’s left to tell.
Four stars!
This was a lovely story though it was heart wrenching to see the pan Chris went through in this story. There’s also a bit of mysticism throughout that adds an interesting dynamic. I enjoyed how it was woven into the story. I enjoyed seeing how the changing of the seasons and Chris’s stages of grief and growth paralleled each other.
Chris was fascinating. He was so hurt at the start of the story that I wondered if he and Jake were going to make it. But I loved how Eleanor made him look at himself and didn’t let Chris hide when he wanted to. I loved the scene towards the end where he tries to run away. It’s sweet and melancholy and the perfect way to bring everything around.
I really wanted to get to know more about Jake. There’s enough of him that you can get the sense of him. But there’s more to his story that I wanted to see. He’s a really open and honest person and I liked how he wasn’t afraid of what others though. He is who he is and doesn’t really care too much about material things in life. It was lovely watching him fall for Chris but it was hard watching him get hurt.
I loved the ending. Seeing Chris and Jake happy together at the end was the best way to bring everything together. It was a very touching scene and I loved how it was written. I would enjoy reading more about these two in more stories. Though they are solidly together at the end so I’m not sure what’s left to tell.
September 21, 2018
Chris is moving away from the big city 18 months after losing his husband and son in a drunk driving accident. He decides he needs to rebuild his life and moves to the lake house he inherited from his grandfather. His move to the place he use to visit in his childhood brings back some memories and he receives a warm welcome from the townspeople and actually is surprised he remembers some faces. When he comes face to face with Jake, the diner's cook, he surprise to feel such a strong draw to him. With the help and support of Jake and his friends and family, Chris may just be able to form a new life and finally let go of his grief.
It was a good book but I felt the writing was trying to be too poetic and it just dragged in the story for me at the start of the book and sometimes throughout the book. It did have it's uses but I thought a more straightforward approach would have worked too. I enjoyed getting to know Chris and Jake and the other characters. Eleanor was a great character and I liked how she forced Chris to face his feelings and pushed him to open himself up to opportunities. I liked the connection Chris had to the white wolf. Chris's experiences in the town was intriguing to read too. It ended well and I felt it was satisfactory (not something I say a lot).
A free copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
It was a good book but I felt the writing was trying to be too poetic and it just dragged in the story for me at the start of the book and sometimes throughout the book. It did have it's uses but I thought a more straightforward approach would have worked too. I enjoyed getting to know Chris and Jake and the other characters. Eleanor was a great character and I liked how she forced Chris to face his feelings and pushed him to open himself up to opportunities. I liked the connection Chris had to the white wolf. Chris's experiences in the town was intriguing to read too. It ended well and I felt it was satisfactory (not something I say a lot).
A free copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2018
🌾 🐺 Grief and how to avoid feelings 101 😥
September 21, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
🌱 I thought this 👬 MM 💕 romance had an excellent start with Chris, a hero moving to rural Maine to bury his grief, and Jake, a laid back Maine woods local ready to help Chris start a new chapter in his life. Add in some friendly locals who provide sympathy and neighborly assistance to the new man in town and a bit of hoodoo in the form of a mysterious white wolf that roams the area and only appears to Chris and his retriever Murphy. This all worked and kept me engaged.
But about two-thirds into the story it started losing traction with strange sweat lodge hallucinations, vague spiritual advice from a blind sage, and the main hero's repeated reluctance to heal from his grief. I kept reading but my enthusiasm was lost. All's well that ends well but I definitely felt the story weakened substantially when it became less about the couple and drew in to Chris's tight inner world. I would have appreciated more couple interaction and dialog throughout the story.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
September 21, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
🌱 I thought this 👬 MM 💕 romance had an excellent start with Chris, a hero moving to rural Maine to bury his grief, and Jake, a laid back Maine woods local ready to help Chris start a new chapter in his life. Add in some friendly locals who provide sympathy and neighborly assistance to the new man in town and a bit of hoodoo in the form of a mysterious white wolf that roams the area and only appears to Chris and his retriever Murphy. This all worked and kept me engaged.
But about two-thirds into the story it started losing traction with strange sweat lodge hallucinations, vague spiritual advice from a blind sage, and the main hero's repeated reluctance to heal from his grief. I kept reading but my enthusiasm was lost. All's well that ends well but I definitely felt the story weakened substantially when it became less about the couple and drew in to Chris's tight inner world. I would have appreciated more couple interaction and dialog throughout the story.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
March 26, 2017
This is a more uncommon romance, about two men. But it's about so much more, namely the way community can become a chosen family, and how love can overcome just about anything, especially grief. In fact, maybe it's the only thing that really can. I hate reviews that tell the story, so suffice to say that the author is a keen observer of human emotion and interaction, and is masterful at choosing the telling detail to conjure exactly the right one he wishes to evoke in his readers at any given point.
I particularly enjoyed his well-drawn characters, and quickly grew comfortable with them, as though I were a privileged member of their kind, caring circle. This was one of those books you don't want to end because you don't want to leave this new group of friend you've made.
It's a good read with an interesting plot, believable flirtation and a whole lot of hope. Highly recommended, especially for those who may be in need of a little hope themselves.
I particularly enjoyed his well-drawn characters, and quickly grew comfortable with them, as though I were a privileged member of their kind, caring circle. This was one of those books you don't want to end because you don't want to leave this new group of friend you've made.
It's a good read with an interesting plot, believable flirtation and a whole lot of hope. Highly recommended, especially for those who may be in need of a little hope themselves.
September 18, 2018
When Chris loses his family in an accident, he decides to leave NYC behind and move into his grandfather's house on a lake in Maine. The last time he was there was when he was a child and had become lost. Now that he's all grown up and struggling, he meets a rich group of people in the community that provide him with all that he's lost, even love. But Chris has to decide if he's too lost to love again.
I really enjoyed the story that was told and enjoyed the native customs and storytelling. The wolf was symbolic and I felt like it added another dimension to the story. Typically love at first sight doesn't do it for me, but this was such a slow burn that it totally worked. Overall, it had everything and was a really entertaining read.
I really enjoyed the story that was told and enjoyed the native customs and storytelling. The wolf was symbolic and I felt like it added another dimension to the story. Typically love at first sight doesn't do it for me, but this was such a slow burn that it totally worked. Overall, it had everything and was a really entertaining read.
September 30, 2018
Heavy on the spiritual/fantasy side, very clean read
I was half expecting some kind of shifter transformation and it did kind of took place in a spiritual sense.
Written in 3rd person with a very unique cast of characters using strange annoying terms such as "boy"' "baby" way too often for me to understand... why.
Honestly for me, the story was overly descriptive, did not give me any kind of emotional attachments to any of the characters.
It was a 2.5 star very "clean" read for me.
Jake with his ponytail and his proclaimed "hippy" speak I found way over the top... Jake was also described as "furry" with way too many references to his fur and pelt. He was from an American Indian descent and culture. It all seemed very strange to me.
The author did use excellent grammar.
I was half expecting some kind of shifter transformation and it did kind of took place in a spiritual sense.
Written in 3rd person with a very unique cast of characters using strange annoying terms such as "boy"' "baby" way too often for me to understand... why.
Honestly for me, the story was overly descriptive, did not give me any kind of emotional attachments to any of the characters.
It was a 2.5 star very "clean" read for me.
Jake with his ponytail and his proclaimed "hippy" speak I found way over the top... Jake was also described as "furry" with way too many references to his fur and pelt. He was from an American Indian descent and culture. It all seemed very strange to me.
The author did use excellent grammar.
September 25, 2018
What an interesting read!
Chris loses his family unexpectedly and just cannot seem to move on, until someone close from his family leaves him their family home after passing.
With nothing to move on for, Chris takes this as an opportunity to start fresh and see what life has to offer.
He doesn’t remember much from his past and once he enters Wolf Thorns Cabin things become some what of a mystery that only Chris can solve.
Jake is living life, feeling free and is happy with his life. When he sees Chris for the first time he knows something happened and is not sure if is the right person to help Chris or let things happen naturally.
But one thing is for sure the spiritual existence has a way of helping you in life when you least expect it and guide you when you need it.
Nice read.
Chris loses his family unexpectedly and just cannot seem to move on, until someone close from his family leaves him their family home after passing.
With nothing to move on for, Chris takes this as an opportunity to start fresh and see what life has to offer.
He doesn’t remember much from his past and once he enters Wolf Thorns Cabin things become some what of a mystery that only Chris can solve.
Jake is living life, feeling free and is happy with his life. When he sees Chris for the first time he knows something happened and is not sure if is the right person to help Chris or let things happen naturally.
But one thing is for sure the spiritual existence has a way of helping you in life when you least expect it and guide you when you need it.
Nice read.
September 25, 2018
This is a strange and fascinating story. Chris is lost, confused and vulnerable. Jake is outgoing, caring and kind. Chris is still recovering from the loss of his husband and son, so he leaves NY for the woods of Maine. There he starts to heal, with the help of the residents, and a man he's drawn to. But he can't seem to let go of the past, he struggles to let go and move on, yet doesn't really want to. He likes Jake, he's attracted to him, but can't seem to want to be with him.
It's sad, and strange and fascinating.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
It's sad, and strange and fascinating.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
September 18, 2018
While this is a beautifully presented tale of love and loss, it was very difficult to keep up portions of this book. Just as I would feel like I was following the path to making Chris whole...the book would take a sudden turn and I wouldn’t know what was happening. There’s lots of symbolism, mysticism, and channeling of spirit guides. Grab your tissues—you’ll definitely need them. It’s a really convoluted trek to the HEA. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and was glad I signed up to read it.)
September 19, 2018
Chris is trying to claim his life back after the tragic loss of his husband and son. To do that he moves to his grandfathers cabin.
Jake is a carefree guy that has over come his own demons and he is drawn to Chris right away.
Chris struggles with his grief and Jake is trying to let him have the time to heal.
This is an emotional heartwrecking read of to lost souls.
I voluntarily reviewd an advanced copy of this book.
Jake is a carefree guy that has over come his own demons and he is drawn to Chris right away.
Chris struggles with his grief and Jake is trying to let him have the time to heal.
This is an emotional heartwrecking read of to lost souls.
I voluntarily reviewd an advanced copy of this book.
September 22, 2018
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Love and lost and grief - that's about what this book's about. Chris had it all and lost everything almost two years ago. Hoping for a new start away from all the menories, he finds Jake who's at the opposite end of the scala but might just be the one to help him heal. A very melancolic story I really enjoyed reading.
May 28, 2022
This started out strong. Good depiction of grief and how it ebbs and flows. Heart wrenching. Very realistic. I found the mysticism a little jarring, though. Conversations about a wolf, nature, etc. To me, it came out of nowhere. What saved the book is the clear glimmer of hope in Chris interactions but this was till a rather weird read. Hard to describe.
September 24, 2018
Good m/m romance.
August 4, 2016
C+ AAR review www.allaboutromance.com/book-review/s...
Daniel Stephens has written an interesting romance about starting again. Some parts are reminiscent of Call of the Wild by Jack London whilst the main story is rife with rather over stylised metaphors.
…a soft song rose from her chest in a series of howls. It rose and fell over the lake as though carried on wings of ruby-black silk. A subtle howl, uniting the living, honouring the dead, and bringing a peaceful close to another night on Wolf Thorn Lake.
Chris is selling his penthouse apartment in New York City, eighteen months after the deaths of his husband and young son in a car accident. He is moving to Wolf Thorn Lake, Maine to live in an old log cabin left to him by his grandfather. This cabin, is in a state of disrepair, but reminds him of happy times in his childhood and will provide the simpler life he feels he needs. Over the years he has had paid a few local people to keep an eye on the property and report if anything is urgently required of him. These people call him the lost boy and welcome him in very overly familiar terms. His friend, Maggie is selling his penthouse for him at a listing price of about eleven million dollars, indicating he has no money worries.
The journey with his dog from New York, invokes both childhood memories long supressed and fears. Living by Wolf Thorn Lake provides a wilder and less modern way of life and abode. After a few days Chris accepts he needs help with the house repairs, which brings him in contact with Jake, a bisexual Hippy. There is definite ‘insta-love’ or lust between them, but for me the purple prose and constant references to Jake being elemental or each seeing recognition in the other’s eyes, ruined any romantic connection for me.
I like expressive language in same sex romances and whilst I find there is often too little actual romance in male/male love stories, there is a limit. I will let you be the judge –here is one of the passages that failed to work for me -
When he entered his new lover, Chris’s eyes widened slightly, locked onto his own, and the corners of Chris’s mouth rose in a moment of perfection that only lovers know. But like a gauze curtain that reveals its contents through a thin, milky haze, Chris’s heart was just visible beneath the scrim. It was within view, rich and welcoming though distant
October 20, 2018
I had a hard time rating this book. It was very well written and handled the subject of grief beautifully. But, I didn't get all imagery and the spiritual stuff, so I found myself skipping some paragraphs. Overall, it's a good story.
*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book.*
*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book.*
June 9, 2016
This is a book about coming home again. A book about finding your way into the light after being in the dark for too long. It's a book about letting go of the past and looking to the future. It is a book about letting go of fear and learning to love again.
It is an amazing book and has so much depth too it.
Jake has been to H€LL and back. He lost his husband and son at the same time to a drunk driver. When he lost them he quit living. He just remained in the time and space but he did not really participate in life any longer. Jake decides to go back home to his grandfathers cabin and try to get on with his life. He never expects to meet Chris. He never expects that the past will follow him and that in order to move in with his life he has to walk out of the darkness and I to the light again.
Chris sees that Jake is struggling and that he is not over the grief of losing his husband and son and he also sees that Jake is drowning in it. Chris tries to be there for Jake but Jake pushed him away each time he lets him get close. It is a constant tug of rope where Jake is concerned.
This was a very emotional read. I enjoyed it so much. Watching these two characters come together even though it was not easy was truly amazing.
Was given this book for free by inked rainbow reads for an honest review
It is an amazing book and has so much depth too it.
Jake has been to H€LL and back. He lost his husband and son at the same time to a drunk driver. When he lost them he quit living. He just remained in the time and space but he did not really participate in life any longer. Jake decides to go back home to his grandfathers cabin and try to get on with his life. He never expects to meet Chris. He never expects that the past will follow him and that in order to move in with his life he has to walk out of the darkness and I to the light again.
Chris sees that Jake is struggling and that he is not over the grief of losing his husband and son and he also sees that Jake is drowning in it. Chris tries to be there for Jake but Jake pushed him away each time he lets him get close. It is a constant tug of rope where Jake is concerned.
This was a very emotional read. I enjoyed it so much. Watching these two characters come together even though it was not easy was truly amazing.
Was given this book for free by inked rainbow reads for an honest review
November 29, 2023
Surfacing is the engrossing story of a young man, hurt beyond belief and grieving, lost to his world but desperately trying to reconnect. Everywhere he turns, he drowns in memories of the life and love that have been taken from him. So he returns to his roots, to the cabin where he spent the summers with his grandparents, hoping to find some solace. What he finds is a family - a group of people where many of them remember him from his youth. Where he can find out just who he is, learn to deal with the grief, and maybe even move forward and find love again.
The descriptions in this book are second to none - whether it is the characters, the wolf, or even the cabin. They will pull you in and keep you reading. It is a story of pain, of loss, of heartbreak. And yet there is also the glimmer of hope, of the future, if only you feed the right wolf! There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the pacing was smooth throughout. Whilst this book is also about love, the only thing that is 'shown' is kissing - the rest is fade to black.
This is a poignant story that I thoroughly enjoyed, and would highly recommend to all.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 28, 2017
The descriptions in this book are second to none - whether it is the characters, the wolf, or even the cabin. They will pull you in and keep you reading. It is a story of pain, of loss, of heartbreak. And yet there is also the glimmer of hope, of the future, if only you feed the right wolf! There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the pacing was smooth throughout. Whilst this book is also about love, the only thing that is 'shown' is kissing - the rest is fade to black.
This is a poignant story that I thoroughly enjoyed, and would highly recommend to all.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 28, 2017
June 1, 2016
This was an emotional and healing read about Chris, who lost his husband and son in one accident. It has been 18 months and Chris cannot live anymore in the penthouse they built as a home. He has decided to move back to Wolf Thorn Lake, Maine, and start fresh in his Grandfather’s cabin that was left to him.
Jake, is a laid-back, easy-going, sexy man who lives for the now. He went through his own personal demons and has moved on with the help of his extended family at Wolf Thorn Lake.
When these two meet, it is electric right from the start. But Chris has a hard time letting go of the pain from the loss. Jake is there to help him almost every step of the way, although Chris needs to ultimately do it on his own.
Once Chris accepts the white wolf side of him and learns that his prior love will always be with him but his heart has so much more love to give, he finds Jake and never lets go.
This is about second chances at love, learning how to grieve, find and accept your inner-self, and live in the now for the future rather than the past. My heart shattered and mended back together with the love of the community.
*I received this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.*
Jake, is a laid-back, easy-going, sexy man who lives for the now. He went through his own personal demons and has moved on with the help of his extended family at Wolf Thorn Lake.
When these two meet, it is electric right from the start. But Chris has a hard time letting go of the pain from the loss. Jake is there to help him almost every step of the way, although Chris needs to ultimately do it on his own.
Once Chris accepts the white wolf side of him and learns that his prior love will always be with him but his heart has so much more love to give, he finds Jake and never lets go.
This is about second chances at love, learning how to grieve, find and accept your inner-self, and live in the now for the future rather than the past. My heart shattered and mended back together with the love of the community.
*I received this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.*
June 12, 2016
By Daniel Stephens (mm/romance)
A copy of this book was provided to me by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
***3 STARS***
I'm really not sure What to think of This book. The writing style kind of threw me off. It wasn't bad, just unexpected. The story is about A Man who lost two of the most important ppl in his life. Almost 2 years later, he moves Back Into his grandfather's cabin, hoping for A new beginning. Chris meets Jake and realizes That he Isn't over his past and Is drowning. He needs To Surface from the pain to fully love again.
Jake was sweet and supportive. I liked him. The white wolf added the supernatural feel to the story. This isn't a terrible book, But i just didn't click with Chris and felt detached to The Chemistry between him and Jake. We're told That they're sooo attracted to Each other but i wasn't feeling it. The ending Was ok but don't expect this book to have constant naughty Scenes. It doesn't and that Was fine with This Type of Story.
A copy of this book was provided to me by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
***3 STARS***
I'm really not sure What to think of This book. The writing style kind of threw me off. It wasn't bad, just unexpected. The story is about A Man who lost two of the most important ppl in his life. Almost 2 years later, he moves Back Into his grandfather's cabin, hoping for A new beginning. Chris meets Jake and realizes That he Isn't over his past and Is drowning. He needs To Surface from the pain to fully love again.
Jake was sweet and supportive. I liked him. The white wolf added the supernatural feel to the story. This isn't a terrible book, But i just didn't click with Chris and felt detached to The Chemistry between him and Jake. We're told That they're sooo attracted to Each other but i wasn't feeling it. The ending Was ok but don't expect this book to have constant naughty Scenes. It doesn't and that Was fine with This Type of Story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews