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Matchmakers #3
Second Place
***Also available as part of Matchmakers: A Shifting Isles Trilogy (ISBN 978-1534740860)***
Danny Berringer lives up to the name of his nightclub. Ever since he cheated on Bryan, the love of his life, he's been making up for it by helping others find love. He even matched up Bryan with Eric Grant, except Bryan's perfect marriage seems to have fallen apart, and Danny is dying to know why. He doesn't get couples wrong. Ever.
Bryan Landry had his heart broken by Danny, then had it put back together by Eric, but he can't have Eric anymore, and it's all his fault. He spends his nights at Matchmakers having random tricks and trying to avoid Danny, but the meddlesome matchmaker won't leave him be.
Thrown together through guilt, death, and temptation, Bryan denies his feelings while Danny clings to dreams of Bryan's forgiveness. Will Danny always lose, or can he win second place in Bryan's heart?
(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.)
Danny Berringer lives up to the name of his nightclub. Ever since he cheated on Bryan, the love of his life, he's been making up for it by helping others find love. He even matched up Bryan with Eric Grant, except Bryan's perfect marriage seems to have fallen apart, and Danny is dying to know why. He doesn't get couples wrong. Ever.
Bryan Landry had his heart broken by Danny, then had it put back together by Eric, but he can't have Eric anymore, and it's all his fault. He spends his nights at Matchmakers having random tricks and trying to avoid Danny, but the meddlesome matchmaker won't leave him be.
Thrown together through guilt, death, and temptation, Bryan denies his feelings while Danny clings to dreams of Bryan's forgiveness. Will Danny always lose, or can he win second place in Bryan's heart?
(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.)
- GenresRomanceM M Romance
306 pages, Paperback
First published July 24, 2016
11 people are currently reading
37 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 10, 2017
Gah this book GUTTED me! Holy shit! But it was soooo good! The way the author weaves you into these stories. I was excited to see that Danny was going to get his story in this book. I was hoping for a happily ever after, but wasn't sure how it was going to happen when the one love of his life he lost and he set him up with another man. Man, what a story.
Matchmakers owner Danyel, Danny, to everyone, has been fixing people up for years. And those he throws together usually marry or stay in committed relationships. They are always so happy. But Danny can't seem to do that for himself. He had his happily ever after once, but he screwed it up when he cheated. So he gave Bryan to another man who would be perfect for him. And Danny has had to watch from afar as they lived their happily ever after. But Danny has been noticing that Bryan has been coming in by himself and always hooking up with someone different each night. And that's not like Bryan. Bryan wasn't a cheater and his love for Eric has left Danny confused as to what he's doing. But Bryan doesn't want to talk about it. All Bryan wants is to forget, but he feels so guilty at what he's doing. He loves Eric with all his heart, but he knows Eric won't be with him anymore and it's killing him. Danny keeps pushing to find out what's going on and he finally finds out. And it shocks him to his core. He feels as lost as Bryan looks but does everything he can to help. No matter what it's costing him to be around them both.
I have been hoping for Danny to get his happy since book 1. I've watched him as he's watched Bryan from a distance with Eric and being so torn up. Even though he pushed them together, he's still so in love with Bryan he's just kept to himself. He doesn't date or anything. Of course the bar keeps him busy too, but still. And it kills me because Danny is such an amazing man. Yes he goofed. He cheated. But dang you can't help but forgive him even though you want to choke him for it. He's such a second father to so many of his boys, he's there for so many people. He gives and gives and gives of himself to the point there's almost nothing left. And he still keeps giving. He just wishes he wouldn't have screwed up with Bryan.
Bryan is...phew. I feel for the poor man. He's still in love with Danny. Despite being very much in love with his husband Eric, there's still love there for Danny. It never went away. But Danny hurt him so bad. So when he was pushed together with Eric, it was a whirlwind. But he was so happy. He pushed what Danny did on the back burner and enjoyed his life with Eric. Until one disastrous night, and his world fell apart. He's trying to keep going by pushing himself with tricks every night, but the guilt is killing him. He doesn't want to be with anyone but Eric, but he can't have that anymore. Eric won't let him. And Danny persisting to know what is going on is pushing him to the brink. Between his love for both men, he's had all he can take. He's had to let Danny back into his life and as Danny sees what's going on, everything finally comes out in the open. And I cried like a big ol’ baby. Holy crap, with what that boy is dealing with and trying to keep going, it will gut you like a fish. It gives you a new respect for Bryan. And I long for him to have a happy ending as well. Even if it's with someone else.
These two. I want them to just be together and never have had to break apart. But then Bryan wouldn't have had all those happy years with Eric. And yet Danny has been miserable without Bryan. So it has just sucked. Because it's a catch 22 with them. It seem like no matter which way they turn, SOMEONE is going to get screwed. And it happens. And it is horrifying. But sometimes life has to happen in a different way we planned in order to put us back to where we belong. It has to put us through the wringer most times. But to get to the next place, the second place, we have to wade through the crap. And hopefully come out better in the end. This book will rip you apart in so many ways, but it is so worth it. Please read this series. I hope you get the enjoyment out of it I did. I know this is a series I will be rereading over the years.
Matchmakers owner Danyel, Danny, to everyone, has been fixing people up for years. And those he throws together usually marry or stay in committed relationships. They are always so happy. But Danny can't seem to do that for himself. He had his happily ever after once, but he screwed it up when he cheated. So he gave Bryan to another man who would be perfect for him. And Danny has had to watch from afar as they lived their happily ever after. But Danny has been noticing that Bryan has been coming in by himself and always hooking up with someone different each night. And that's not like Bryan. Bryan wasn't a cheater and his love for Eric has left Danny confused as to what he's doing. But Bryan doesn't want to talk about it. All Bryan wants is to forget, but he feels so guilty at what he's doing. He loves Eric with all his heart, but he knows Eric won't be with him anymore and it's killing him. Danny keeps pushing to find out what's going on and he finally finds out. And it shocks him to his core. He feels as lost as Bryan looks but does everything he can to help. No matter what it's costing him to be around them both.
I have been hoping for Danny to get his happy since book 1. I've watched him as he's watched Bryan from a distance with Eric and being so torn up. Even though he pushed them together, he's still so in love with Bryan he's just kept to himself. He doesn't date or anything. Of course the bar keeps him busy too, but still. And it kills me because Danny is such an amazing man. Yes he goofed. He cheated. But dang you can't help but forgive him even though you want to choke him for it. He's such a second father to so many of his boys, he's there for so many people. He gives and gives and gives of himself to the point there's almost nothing left. And he still keeps giving. He just wishes he wouldn't have screwed up with Bryan.
Bryan is...phew. I feel for the poor man. He's still in love with Danny. Despite being very much in love with his husband Eric, there's still love there for Danny. It never went away. But Danny hurt him so bad. So when he was pushed together with Eric, it was a whirlwind. But he was so happy. He pushed what Danny did on the back burner and enjoyed his life with Eric. Until one disastrous night, and his world fell apart. He's trying to keep going by pushing himself with tricks every night, but the guilt is killing him. He doesn't want to be with anyone but Eric, but he can't have that anymore. Eric won't let him. And Danny persisting to know what is going on is pushing him to the brink. Between his love for both men, he's had all he can take. He's had to let Danny back into his life and as Danny sees what's going on, everything finally comes out in the open. And I cried like a big ol’ baby. Holy crap, with what that boy is dealing with and trying to keep going, it will gut you like a fish. It gives you a new respect for Bryan. And I long for him to have a happy ending as well. Even if it's with someone else.
These two. I want them to just be together and never have had to break apart. But then Bryan wouldn't have had all those happy years with Eric. And yet Danny has been miserable without Bryan. So it has just sucked. Because it's a catch 22 with them. It seem like no matter which way they turn, SOMEONE is going to get screwed. And it happens. And it is horrifying. But sometimes life has to happen in a different way we planned in order to put us back to where we belong. It has to put us through the wringer most times. But to get to the next place, the second place, we have to wade through the crap. And hopefully come out better in the end. This book will rip you apart in so many ways, but it is so worth it. Please read this series. I hope you get the enjoyment out of it I did. I know this is a series I will be rereading over the years.
August 30, 2021
I’m too emotional to write a review 😂
This book was such a surprise! I never would’ve thought the plot took this turn! It is angsty and had me sobbing very often! Unique relationships between all characters in this one! I personally wanted a book with a HEA lol for EVERYONE but oh well that’s just bc I’m in the mood for that Rn 😂 the book is really good MAJSJS
This book was such a surprise! I never would’ve thought the plot took this turn! It is angsty and had me sobbing very often! Unique relationships between all characters in this one! I personally wanted a book with a HEA lol for EVERYONE but oh well that’s just bc I’m in the mood for that Rn 😂 the book is really good MAJSJS
July 26, 2019
This made no sense to me.
Bryan dated Danny , Danny cheated. They broke up. Danny sets up Bryan with Eric. They fall in love. They get married. Eric gets sick. Bryan sleeps with other men because Eric has an infectious disease. Eric eventually dies. Months pass. Bryan hooks up with any and every man who breathes in his general direction. He then wants to get back with Danny. Danny has been waiting for this moment. Eric wants this for them. They both get tested. They are both clean. Bryan feels guilty because Eric was safe and didn’t hook up with hundreds of men. Bryan did. He then spirals into more depression. Kisses Hayes (a co worker and ex lover of Danny’s). Also, hooks up with Danny’s recent ex lover Niall. Breaking Danny’s heart. Then, when he’s literally fucking Niall he goes “damn, I want Danny”. He then goes RIGHT FROM Niall’s bed to Danny. And everything is supposed to be all hunky dory?!
Is this for real. I kept screaming for Danny to just fucking leave and find man worth having. Bryan needed a period of celibacy. He spent so much time with other men , that he never spent anytime getting know who he was without Eric and what he wants out of life. It was not fair for Danny to have to go through all this because Bryan was an asshole.
Bryan dated Danny , Danny cheated. They broke up. Danny sets up Bryan with Eric. They fall in love. They get married. Eric gets sick. Bryan sleeps with other men because Eric has an infectious disease. Eric eventually dies. Months pass. Bryan hooks up with any and every man who breathes in his general direction. He then wants to get back with Danny. Danny has been waiting for this moment. Eric wants this for them. They both get tested. They are both clean. Bryan feels guilty because Eric was safe and didn’t hook up with hundreds of men. Bryan did. He then spirals into more depression. Kisses Hayes (a co worker and ex lover of Danny’s). Also, hooks up with Danny’s recent ex lover Niall. Breaking Danny’s heart. Then, when he’s literally fucking Niall he goes “damn, I want Danny”. He then goes RIGHT FROM Niall’s bed to Danny. And everything is supposed to be all hunky dory?!
Is this for real. I kept screaming for Danny to just fucking leave and find man worth having. Bryan needed a period of celibacy. He spent so much time with other men , that he never spent anytime getting know who he was without Eric and what he wants out of life. It was not fair for Danny to have to go through all this because Bryan was an asshole.
September 1, 2017
Second Place is the third and final book in the Matchmakers series - set in a world similar yet different to our own. We finally get to have Danny's story, and find out just what's going on with Eric and Bryan, and it's not at all what I was expecting!
Now, I was a bit worried about this one for a couple of reasons. I don't like reading about cheating per se. If it happened in the past, and the cheater is sorry, and it's relevant to the story, then I don't mind. And I really don't like love triangles. Threesomes/multi-partners are different, but triangles/squares/whatever, I don't do them. So going into this one, I knew that Danny had cheated, and Bryan was with Eric. Red flag warning for me.
I WAS WRONG! Any misconceptions I may have had went flying out the window once I started reading this story. It's angsty, it's heart-breaking, it's not at all what you might think. My admiration for Danny went sky high when he made a promise and kept it, years in the making, and walking through hell too. My heart really went out to him. I will say that I cried at this one. And it was f'ugly crying too. My heart was breaking for Bryan, and yet I still held hope because of Ellidan. So when Bryan goes to someone else, who does have first-hand knowledge of what it's like to lose a husband, I couldn't believe what I was reading. I may or may not have shouted at my kindle at that point, much to my children's confusion.
This is one helluva roller-coaster of a book, that will take you high and drop you down low. We still get to see Chance and Remy, and Shain and Ellidan, who continue to make my day whenever I read about them. Exceptionally well written, with no editing or grammatical errors, this book is an amazing finale to the series. 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!
Now, I was a bit worried about this one for a couple of reasons. I don't like reading about cheating per se. If it happened in the past, and the cheater is sorry, and it's relevant to the story, then I don't mind. And I really don't like love triangles. Threesomes/multi-partners are different, but triangles/squares/whatever, I don't do them. So going into this one, I knew that Danny had cheated, and Bryan was with Eric. Red flag warning for me.
I WAS WRONG! Any misconceptions I may have had went flying out the window once I started reading this story. It's angsty, it's heart-breaking, it's not at all what you might think. My admiration for Danny went sky high when he made a promise and kept it, years in the making, and walking through hell too. My heart really went out to him. I will say that I cried at this one. And it was f'ugly crying too. My heart was breaking for Bryan, and yet I still held hope because of Ellidan. So when Bryan goes to someone else, who does have first-hand knowledge of what it's like to lose a husband, I couldn't believe what I was reading. I may or may not have shouted at my kindle at that point, much to my children's confusion.
This is one helluva roller-coaster of a book, that will take you high and drop you down low. We still get to see Chance and Remy, and Shain and Ellidan, who continue to make my day whenever I read about them. Exceptionally well written, with no editing or grammatical errors, this book is an amazing finale to the series. 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!
October 17, 2023
I have so many mixed feelings about this story and the characters, but it was intense and well written, and I definitely teared up several times along the journey to Danny's HEA with Bryan. And this book would have been better without Niall Hayes in it; there was enough angst surrounding Eric's death to have either left out that jerk completely or to have had him just be a coworker and friend for Bryan instead of a fuckbuddy of first Danny and then Bryan. But there was a redeeming quality in him, and the next book focuses on him, and I'm going to read it anyway.
January 11, 2022
Absolutely heart wrenching
I've just cried my whole way through this book. It's devastating, heart wrenching, and absolutely beautiful all at the same time. Very few authors can impact so much emotional depth the way has been done here. If GR Lyons didn't already rank up there with my favorite authors before this he sure as hell would be after this. A devastatingly beautiful read.
I've just cried my whole way through this book. It's devastating, heart wrenching, and absolutely beautiful all at the same time. Very few authors can impact so much emotional depth the way has been done here. If GR Lyons didn't already rank up there with my favorite authors before this he sure as hell would be after this. A devastatingly beautiful read.
May 10, 2020
Ugh
I just finished reading this story the 3rd of the series. At times it had my eyes teary feeling sadness. Then as it went further I got upset. I was yelling for Danny to leave, Bryan was a a_ _. But it’s a story and at the end Danny was happy.
I just finished reading this story the 3rd of the series. At times it had my eyes teary feeling sadness. Then as it went further I got upset. I was yelling for Danny to leave, Bryan was a a_ _. But it’s a story and at the end Danny was happy.
September 17, 2016
Good book, good end to the trilogy...and VERY angsty! Be ready for lots of feels and lots of devastation along the way to HEA.
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August 15, 2017Rating and review coming soon
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews