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Matchmakers #2
Second Drafts
***Also available as part of Matchmakers: A Shifting Isles Trilogy (ISBN 978-1534740860)***
Novelist Shain Ahren is committed to only one thing: himself. Living alone and having an endless string of one-night stands, Shain's carefully crafted routine ensures no one will ever control him again. But one trick he met at Matchmakers, years ago, he can't get out of his head.
Painter Elliden Crawford yearns to be controlled. Born with an extreme chemical imbalance, Elliden struggles to keep the fits at bay so he won't be a danger to others. Only once in his life did Elliden ever truly feel safe, just one night when he met a stranger at Matchmakers.
When Matchmakers brings them together again, Elliden finally gets what he needs, while Shain's world is thrown into complete disarray. Will Shain ever relinquish control, or will they be fated to remain a discarded first draft?
(Note: This story takes place in a fictional world, the same as the Shifting Isles series. There are multiple gods, different names for the days of the week, etc. A glossary is included with the story for those interested in the little worldbuilding details.)
Novelist Shain Ahren is committed to only one thing: himself. Living alone and having an endless string of one-night stands, Shain's carefully crafted routine ensures no one will ever control him again. But one trick he met at Matchmakers, years ago, he can't get out of his head.
Painter Elliden Crawford yearns to be controlled. Born with an extreme chemical imbalance, Elliden struggles to keep the fits at bay so he won't be a danger to others. Only once in his life did Elliden ever truly feel safe, just one night when he met a stranger at Matchmakers.
When Matchmakers brings them together again, Elliden finally gets what he needs, while Shain's world is thrown into complete disarray. Will Shain ever relinquish control, or will they be fated to remain a discarded first draft?
(Note: This story takes place in a fictional world, the same as the Shifting Isles series. There are multiple gods, different names for the days of the week, etc. A glossary is included with the story for those interested in the little worldbuilding details.)
316 pages, Paperback
First published July 24, 2016
9 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
G.R. Lyons
70 books259 followersG.R. Lyons stumbled into writing as a form of trauma recovery when traditional therapy wasn't working.
Then the story ideas just kept on coming.
Pulling from a vivid imagination as well as real-life experience as a trans man, a sexual assault survivor, and a person living with mental illness, Lyons has written multiple, interconnected series set within his fictional world of the Shifting Isles.
When not writing, Lyons can be found belly dancing around the house, studying anarcho-capitalist philosophy, buried in his never-ending TBR pile, or working out at the local CrossFit gym.
Then the story ideas just kept on coming.
Pulling from a vivid imagination as well as real-life experience as a trans man, a sexual assault survivor, and a person living with mental illness, Lyons has written multiple, interconnected series set within his fictional world of the Shifting Isles.
When not writing, Lyons can be found belly dancing around the house, studying anarcho-capitalist philosophy, buried in his never-ending TBR pile, or working out at the local CrossFit gym.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 8, 2017
As I sat here and finished this book, I got to thinking. I really hope that you guys actually consider what we all write as reviewers about the books we read. Part of what I love about doing this is that it has allowed be to branch out even more and find authors I've never heard of or have heard of but have never read. And while I don't always necessarily like the books I read, I hope you guys are branching out and giving these authors a chance. I know I'm not always eloquent with words in trying to convey how I really feel about a book, but I hope that I give some glimpse into what gave me joy about the book I was reading. And if I didn't like it, that too. I hope I conveyed enough that if I didn't like it maybe you as a reader would. I know we all have our favorite authors, but I really want to encourage you guys as readers to break out of that shell and give more a try. And if you are, great! Because that being said, I have found another author I'm falling for so much. And not in a weird way, lol. But this book, this series is fantastic. I literally can not put it down. I thought I was going to wet myself, because I waited too long to use the restroom from reading this book. I know….TMI! But I was just trying to make a point. And I'm going to tell you, I struggled with this book. Not because it was bad, quite the opposite. But because I have a very strong love/hate relationship with one of the main characters. And through most of the book, it leaned towards hate. But the author just has a way of roping you in and boom! I loved him.
If you have read book #1, then you remember in it that Chance had a brother whom he had a very strained relationship with named Shain. Their father had kicked him out for being gay at 14, and Chance tried to find him and help him while hiding his own secret of being gay. Well this book is about Shain. And his life and his past and everything in-between and forward. Shain has struggled for most of his life. Since that day he was booted out. But now he has made a name for himself as a bestselling author. He has everything under control. Just the way he likes it. He has his routines, from the moment he wakes up to the time he goes to bed. Even if there is a man involved. They never stay over, they are never allowed to speak and always have to be in submission. Control. Until one fateful night, he meets a man whose eyes he swears see into his soul. And after they were done, he made him leave. He let him get away. And it has haunted him since. So much so, that he wrote a book in one night. And refuses to publish it. But he can't bring himself to read it or throw it out. The only memento he has is a silver band he wears on his first finger, one he refuses to ever take off. Elliden is that man he can't get out of his mind. Elliden can't forget Shain either. He has gotten into Elliden’s blood so bad that Elliden had to paint him. It has been a painting that has been circulating galleries for 5 years. People are in awe. Elliden can't get the feeling of rightness and safety out of his head. Shain calms the voices in his head and gets to him in a way no one else can and he wants that back. When fate has a way of bringing them together again, it doesn't go so well. And Elli is lost. Shain’s world is turned upside down. But the two can't get each other out their minds and hearts.
So Elliden is so enraptured with Shain that he paints him. From memory. And it's likeness is so real it looks like a photo or almost like the image is real and in front of you. For five years this painting has circulated and one day Shain finally gets to see it. To see himself in the eyes of the artist and he is floored. He quickly buys the painting to try to figure it out and has no clue it came from the man who haunts his dreams. The problem with Shain, he such an ass most days that he can't see why someone would paint him. Shain is my love/hate. Most days in this book I want to reach through and punch him. I understand have to have control over your life. Leaving yourself closed off to a point to not be hurt. But to be such a dick about it. Gah he is such an asshole the way he treats people. He uses men left, right and sideway, and it's always, 'no talking, no kissing, (that one I kind of get), and they have to always submit. That one I kinda get too. Once they are done, he tells them to get out and doesn't even get a rats ass if they get home safe or not. Doesn't care about their name, nothing. His brother has repeatedly tried to mend their relationship, but Shain is such an asshole to him as well. And when he does finally agree to sit with them for dinner, he's a dick to Remy. I just want to throat punch him through this whole book. Because once he finally starts to get together with Elliden after they meet again, every time you turn around he is an ass to Elliden. He goes so far as to bring a man home to screw right in front to him. I know! Asshole right! So my disdain for this man made me struggle a bit with this book. But Elliden made up for it.
Elliden is a sweet painter with issues of his own. A chemical imbalance in his brain makes him prone to raging fits out of the blue. And it's so hard for him to be around people. He gets closed off and nervous to the point of curling in the fetal position to try to calm down. As long as he has his paints, he's usually ok. But with all the turmoil Shain is putting him through, he is having a hard time coping. Things are setting him off and although Shain has a way of getting through and calming him, it's harder when Shain is actually the problem. Elliden just wants Shain to stop pushing him away. He wants what he knows Shain can give him. Stability and calmness. Control and hopefully love. It's through all this I feel for Elliden so much. He doesn't ask for much in life. He does his best to be there for people but always leaves himself last. And I want him to have what he needs. Which makes me want to throat punch Shain some more.
Like most authors know, most often the first draft needs lots of work. It needs editing, polishing, and so much more. Shain had to learn that he himself was a first draft. That he needs Elliden to polish him out and edit him. To make that Second Draft much better. To make himself better. And he knew as long as he continued to push Elliden away, he would never become that second draft. When he hit this realization, and I learned more of his past, I learned to love him.
What an amazing book. Another one that rides you on a roller coaster of emotion and hopefully leave you happy in the end. This series has been just incredible so far and i'm looking forward to the last book, where Danyel, the one that sets all these boys up, get his story and hopefully a happy ending himself. I hope you guys enjoy this series as much as I have and if you haven't started it, please give it a chance.
If you have read book #1, then you remember in it that Chance had a brother whom he had a very strained relationship with named Shain. Their father had kicked him out for being gay at 14, and Chance tried to find him and help him while hiding his own secret of being gay. Well this book is about Shain. And his life and his past and everything in-between and forward. Shain has struggled for most of his life. Since that day he was booted out. But now he has made a name for himself as a bestselling author. He has everything under control. Just the way he likes it. He has his routines, from the moment he wakes up to the time he goes to bed. Even if there is a man involved. They never stay over, they are never allowed to speak and always have to be in submission. Control. Until one fateful night, he meets a man whose eyes he swears see into his soul. And after they were done, he made him leave. He let him get away. And it has haunted him since. So much so, that he wrote a book in one night. And refuses to publish it. But he can't bring himself to read it or throw it out. The only memento he has is a silver band he wears on his first finger, one he refuses to ever take off. Elliden is that man he can't get out of his mind. Elliden can't forget Shain either. He has gotten into Elliden’s blood so bad that Elliden had to paint him. It has been a painting that has been circulating galleries for 5 years. People are in awe. Elliden can't get the feeling of rightness and safety out of his head. Shain calms the voices in his head and gets to him in a way no one else can and he wants that back. When fate has a way of bringing them together again, it doesn't go so well. And Elli is lost. Shain’s world is turned upside down. But the two can't get each other out their minds and hearts.
So Elliden is so enraptured with Shain that he paints him. From memory. And it's likeness is so real it looks like a photo or almost like the image is real and in front of you. For five years this painting has circulated and one day Shain finally gets to see it. To see himself in the eyes of the artist and he is floored. He quickly buys the painting to try to figure it out and has no clue it came from the man who haunts his dreams. The problem with Shain, he such an ass most days that he can't see why someone would paint him. Shain is my love/hate. Most days in this book I want to reach through and punch him. I understand have to have control over your life. Leaving yourself closed off to a point to not be hurt. But to be such a dick about it. Gah he is such an asshole the way he treats people. He uses men left, right and sideway, and it's always, 'no talking, no kissing, (that one I kind of get), and they have to always submit. That one I kinda get too. Once they are done, he tells them to get out and doesn't even get a rats ass if they get home safe or not. Doesn't care about their name, nothing. His brother has repeatedly tried to mend their relationship, but Shain is such an asshole to him as well. And when he does finally agree to sit with them for dinner, he's a dick to Remy. I just want to throat punch him through this whole book. Because once he finally starts to get together with Elliden after they meet again, every time you turn around he is an ass to Elliden. He goes so far as to bring a man home to screw right in front to him. I know! Asshole right! So my disdain for this man made me struggle a bit with this book. But Elliden made up for it.
Elliden is a sweet painter with issues of his own. A chemical imbalance in his brain makes him prone to raging fits out of the blue. And it's so hard for him to be around people. He gets closed off and nervous to the point of curling in the fetal position to try to calm down. As long as he has his paints, he's usually ok. But with all the turmoil Shain is putting him through, he is having a hard time coping. Things are setting him off and although Shain has a way of getting through and calming him, it's harder when Shain is actually the problem. Elliden just wants Shain to stop pushing him away. He wants what he knows Shain can give him. Stability and calmness. Control and hopefully love. It's through all this I feel for Elliden so much. He doesn't ask for much in life. He does his best to be there for people but always leaves himself last. And I want him to have what he needs. Which makes me want to throat punch Shain some more.
Like most authors know, most often the first draft needs lots of work. It needs editing, polishing, and so much more. Shain had to learn that he himself was a first draft. That he needs Elliden to polish him out and edit him. To make that Second Draft much better. To make himself better. And he knew as long as he continued to push Elliden away, he would never become that second draft. When he hit this realization, and I learned more of his past, I learned to love him.
What an amazing book. Another one that rides you on a roller coaster of emotion and hopefully leave you happy in the end. This series has been just incredible so far and i'm looking forward to the last book, where Danyel, the one that sets all these boys up, get his story and hopefully a happy ending himself. I hope you guys enjoy this series as much as I have and if you haven't started it, please give it a chance.
September 29, 2017
This is the second book in this wonderful trilogy. These could probably be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend reading Second Chances to know different characters throughout the series. In the first book, we watched the trials and tribulations of Chance and Remy. Chance being much older than Remy. In this installment, we meet Shain and Elliden. Chance and Shain are brothers that have the worst father ever.
Shain is a Dom and only believes in one-night stands with no names exchanged and no sleep overs. He loves a sub who knows how to be a sub. He gets so tired of the wannabe’s out there, but he refuses to have any kind of relationship. That would only complicate his routine and lord knows, we wouldn’t want that. One day while he was out, he saw a painting of himself. He can’t understand how there’s a painting of himself in a gallery but buys it anyway.
Elliden is a troubled man and has been since childhood. His anxiety gets the best of him, and he loses control. He’s caused damage to others and property. His father is a doctor and has created a medicine that helps but knocks him out. He wants nothing more than to be in control of himself and his outbursts. He does talk with a professional and has for years. But the only time he had ever felt that was a few years before when he had a one-night stand with a certain Dom and he was a perfect sub. Did I happen to mention that Elliden also talks to ghosts? It is pretty cool.
Can you tell where this story is going? Well, I’m sure you get the drift, but this story is anything but peaches and cream. There are a lot of struggles and barriers these two need to work through. Shain is a stubborn ass and Elliden can’t seem to keep it together.
Will Shain ever be able let go of his need for such routine? Was it smart of Elliden to move away from his sister into his very own place? Can Shain accept he’s getting feelings for Elliden? Will Elliden ever be able to control his outbursts without his medication? I guess, if you want those answered, you will get this series. You won’t regret it. I couldn’t put it down. I even took it in the bathroom with me, just so I wouldn’t have to stop reading.
This author has really touched on some very serious and sensitive issues. He’s not afraid to approach these issues, and it has really opened my eyes with what others deal with. The MC’s and other characters are very supportive of each other, and there is no denying the love that all these friends, family and lovers have amongst them. Now hurry up and go read.
***I would like to thank the author for the privilege and opportunity of reading this ARC. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
Shain is a Dom and only believes in one-night stands with no names exchanged and no sleep overs. He loves a sub who knows how to be a sub. He gets so tired of the wannabe’s out there, but he refuses to have any kind of relationship. That would only complicate his routine and lord knows, we wouldn’t want that. One day while he was out, he saw a painting of himself. He can’t understand how there’s a painting of himself in a gallery but buys it anyway.
Elliden is a troubled man and has been since childhood. His anxiety gets the best of him, and he loses control. He’s caused damage to others and property. His father is a doctor and has created a medicine that helps but knocks him out. He wants nothing more than to be in control of himself and his outbursts. He does talk with a professional and has for years. But the only time he had ever felt that was a few years before when he had a one-night stand with a certain Dom and he was a perfect sub. Did I happen to mention that Elliden also talks to ghosts? It is pretty cool.
Can you tell where this story is going? Well, I’m sure you get the drift, but this story is anything but peaches and cream. There are a lot of struggles and barriers these two need to work through. Shain is a stubborn ass and Elliden can’t seem to keep it together.
Will Shain ever be able let go of his need for such routine? Was it smart of Elliden to move away from his sister into his very own place? Can Shain accept he’s getting feelings for Elliden? Will Elliden ever be able to control his outbursts without his medication? I guess, if you want those answered, you will get this series. You won’t regret it. I couldn’t put it down. I even took it in the bathroom with me, just so I wouldn’t have to stop reading.
This author has really touched on some very serious and sensitive issues. He’s not afraid to approach these issues, and it has really opened my eyes with what others deal with. The MC’s and other characters are very supportive of each other, and there is no denying the love that all these friends, family and lovers have amongst them. Now hurry up and go read.
***I would like to thank the author for the privilege and opportunity of reading this ARC. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
January 19, 2022
Mediocre generally, but the way G.R. Lyons write makes up the difference. I recommend giving this book a chance for its character development, but this one is by no means perfect or the best demonstration of D/s.
There is a certain way in which Shaine and Elliden are written which draw the reader in to learn more about their story. I am of the opinion that this is due to their relationships and how this author draws them out. For Elliden, it is mostly his relationships with strangers, human and ghost alike, that round him out. Elliden's constant struggle, a push and pull, to be around strangers and accommodate them while existing with a barely controllable condition is his main defining characteristic.
For Shaine, it is his relationships with family and those closest to him. Unlike Elliden who tries to reach out and find some middle ground, Shaine stays as far away as he can emotionally handle. From my reading of this, Shaine doesn't seem to dislike people, but like Elliden, has been shaped by his history with them.
Now I am a fan of second chance romances and relationships growing from mistakes and human error. However, I can easily see this book's relationship spiraling intocodependency from it's original D/s theme. That is where potentially unhealthy ground lies and why I don't view this book as kindly to the Kinkland as others.
The most surprising part of this book for me was actually not the main plot, but reference to this authors main series. When speaking of Benash Rothbur, it is stated that his experience is "escaping socialist Tanas for anarchist Agoran." Now this review isn't a political critique because this world, built by the author to be similar to ours but yet very not, is obviously a reflection of personal perspectives. None of the Shifting Isles books have felt to me as strong political critiques on the current mechanisms of society, but rather light commentary on a few facets of them because they only begin to touch the surface of these themes, choosing to focus more strongly on the character development and relationships (as here). What surprises me here is not that Agoran is anarchist but that Tanas was supposed to be pure socialist when it has strong themes of religiosity and fascistic oligarchs set to be in charge. While not themes that are exclusive of one another, this comment just felt thrown from left field in the midst of a book which really doesn't give any other indication about the political makeup of their current world.
There is a certain way in which Shaine and Elliden are written which draw the reader in to learn more about their story. I am of the opinion that this is due to their relationships and how this author draws them out. For Elliden, it is mostly his relationships with strangers, human and ghost alike, that round him out. Elliden's constant struggle, a push and pull, to be around strangers and accommodate them while existing with a barely controllable condition is his main defining characteristic.
For Shaine, it is his relationships with family and those closest to him. Unlike Elliden who tries to reach out and find some middle ground, Shaine stays as far away as he can emotionally handle. From my reading of this, Shaine doesn't seem to dislike people, but like Elliden, has been shaped by his history with them.
Now I am a fan of second chance romances and relationships growing from mistakes and human error. However, I can easily see this book's relationship spiraling intocodependency from it's original D/s theme. That is where potentially unhealthy ground lies and why I don't view this book as kindly to the Kinkland as others.
The most surprising part of this book for me was actually not the main plot, but reference to this authors main series. When speaking of Benash Rothbur, it is stated that his experience is "escaping socialist Tanas for anarchist Agoran." Now this review isn't a political critique because this world, built by the author to be similar to ours but yet very not, is obviously a reflection of personal perspectives. None of the Shifting Isles books have felt to me as strong political critiques on the current mechanisms of society, but rather light commentary on a few facets of them because they only begin to touch the surface of these themes, choosing to focus more strongly on the character development and relationships (as here). What surprises me here is not that Agoran is anarchist but that Tanas was supposed to be pure socialist when it has strong themes of religiosity and fascistic oligarchs set to be in charge. While not themes that are exclusive of one another, this comment just felt thrown from left field in the midst of a book which really doesn't give any other indication about the political makeup of their current world.
September 1, 2017
Second Drafts is the second book in the Matchmakers series - set in a world similar yet different to our own. This book is about Chance's brother, Shain, and his demons, plus Ellidan, and his monster. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! Okay, so I might have said that about book one too, but seriously, this one got to me. I loved the relationship between Shain and Ellidan, although I was all for kicking Shain during most of the story! Ellidan thinks he is so broken, and yet he is so strong. Shain thinks he has everything under control, and yet really doesn't.
You also get the opportunity to catch up with Chance and Remy, which I loved. I didn't love Shain and Chance's father turning up to the wedding, or what happened with Ellidan, but I'll leave that there. You also see Bryan acting out at Matchmakers, and yet still don't know why. Danny is trying to deal with him, and that is such a delightful teaser for the next book.
Still, I'm getting ahead of myself. This book was extremely well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that spoiled my reading flow. I adore how Chance is an editor, and Shain is a writer. Books/writing/editing, set in a fantasy m/m scene? I can't ask for anything else! Ticks all my boxes, that's for sure.
Second Drafts certainly doesn't suffer from being a 'gap' book. I was caught up in every scene, every word, and loved it from beginning to end. Highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comment here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
You also get the opportunity to catch up with Chance and Remy, which I loved. I didn't love Shain and Chance's father turning up to the wedding, or what happened with Ellidan, but I'll leave that there. You also see Bryan acting out at Matchmakers, and yet still don't know why. Danny is trying to deal with him, and that is such a delightful teaser for the next book.
Still, I'm getting ahead of myself. This book was extremely well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that spoiled my reading flow. I adore how Chance is an editor, and Shain is a writer. Books/writing/editing, set in a fantasy m/m scene? I can't ask for anything else! Ticks all my boxes, that's for sure.
Second Drafts certainly doesn't suffer from being a 'gap' book. I was caught up in every scene, every word, and loved it from beginning to end. Highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comment here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 29, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! Again I’m not a huge fan of the “breaking up getting back together breaking up AGAIN getting back together etc etc” part buttt this book was again super entertaining in its own way! I really adored these characters once again! Book 1 already made me super interested in shain (he was so rude and standoffish haha so I’m so happy we got a book for him and his backstory) also Elliden was a sweetheart with such interesting personality too! I loved that in this book the “fictional future world” made more sense! 👏🏼 at a few points l felt like the plot had a lot of potential but was was rushed a bit but overall a very enjoyable read!! Also with very enjoyable sexy time 😏 and it’s been a while since I read something with D/S dynamics in it - nice 🙏🏼
May 18, 2019
I liked it more than the first one. The ghosts were a nice touch and I really liked Elli's character. Shain I didn't think much of. Some of his decisions in this were horrible. I'm glad Remy and Chance made a reappearance. Nice to see them doing well. Deals with mental illness, homophobia and abuse. The one thing that gets to me for this trilogy is the forgiveness, its either death or no justice. I think Dan's bar suffered the most. One more book to go.
October 17, 2023
3.5 stars
My favorite part of this book is actually where Elliden tells Shain "no." After that point is when they both have significant character growth and when I could actually see their relationship have potential beyond Dom/sub chemistry.
My favorite part of this book is actually where Elliden tells Shain "no." After that point is when they both have significant character growth and when I could actually see their relationship have potential beyond Dom/sub chemistry.
September 16, 2016
Lovely building onto Second Chance's story, and so nice to see those characters continue to grow in their relationship.
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July 26, 2017Review will be on the blog in the near future
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews