What do you think?
Rate this book
Reed #1
The Magic in Your Touch
When Dr. Nathan "Nate" Morris moves to Reed, Illinois to open a medical practice, he's looking forward to putting the past--and his homophobic family--behind him. When Nate is attacked outside his office late one night in an apparent gay bashing, he starts to wonder if maybe the good folks of Reed aren't as accepting as he thought.
Sheriff Brandon Nash, an openly gay man holding an elected position, finds it hard to believe that Nate's attack is really a hate crime. Brandon, looking into Nate's frightened eyes, knows there's one thing he's absolutely certain of: he'll do whatever it takes to keep Nate safe or die trying.
As Nate's assailant steps up his efforts, Nate and Brandon's budding romance is put to the test. Nate decides to leave Reed behind, believing everyone else will be safe once he's gone.
This book is definitely one that you can't put down until the very end because of the many twists and turns. Find out the mystery surrounding Nate's attack, and if Nate and Brandon's relationship can survive the stress and strain of their real life professions.
Sheriff Brandon Nash, an openly gay man holding an elected position, finds it hard to believe that Nate's attack is really a hate crime. Brandon, looking into Nate's frightened eyes, knows there's one thing he's absolutely certain of: he'll do whatever it takes to keep Nate safe or die trying.
As Nate's assailant steps up his efforts, Nate and Brandon's budding romance is put to the test. Nate decides to leave Reed behind, believing everyone else will be safe once he's gone.
This book is definitely one that you can't put down until the very end because of the many twists and turns. Find out the mystery surrounding Nate's attack, and if Nate and Brandon's relationship can survive the stress and strain of their real life professions.
244 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2005
7 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Sara Bell
27 books200 followersSara Bell lives in North Alabama with the world's sexiest, most supportive husband, the two most beautiful, gifted daughters on the planet, and two of the most neurotic but loveable dogs ever created. She's a full-time author who writes stories about never-ending love for all kinds of characters--gay, straight, and somewhere in-between. Sara still can't believe she gets paid to do something she loves so much, and she's darned grateful to her incredible readers for making her dream a reality.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 11, 2009
If I were to make a checklist of all the things I hate in an m/m romance - slash - small press e-book, this book would get checks across the board.
Spelling and punctuation errors? check.
Ridiculous, eyeroll worthy plot? check.
Love at first sight? check.
Main characters are chicks with dicks? check.
Small but obvious inaccuracies? check. (Pretty sure you can't get a restraining order on someone just because you don't like them. I think you have to have some kind of proof that they're a danger to you. Also, 180 is a really low thread count. If you're trying to sound pretentious by asking for special sheets, try 1,000.)
This book was a bad melodrama with heroes who were supposedly extremely masculine but acted like overly hormonal women. Even I'm not that sappy. The only reason this book gets 2 stars instead of one is because despite all the elements about it that I hated, for some reason it was compulsively readable for the first half or so. I was really into it, but then it was just so relentlessly nauseating I couldn't do it anymore. I skimmed the lat 70 pages as quickly as I could just to find out "whodunnit". Which, while it did take me by surprise, was extremely over the top and almost gag worthy. The bad guy even pulled a Scooby Doo - "I would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for you meddling kids!"
Spelling and punctuation errors? check.
Ridiculous, eyeroll worthy plot? check.
Love at first sight? check.
Main characters are chicks with dicks? check.
Small but obvious inaccuracies? check. (Pretty sure you can't get a restraining order on someone just because you don't like them. I think you have to have some kind of proof that they're a danger to you. Also, 180 is a really low thread count. If you're trying to sound pretentious by asking for special sheets, try 1,000.)
This book was a bad melodrama with heroes who were supposedly extremely masculine but acted like overly hormonal women. Even I'm not that sappy. The only reason this book gets 2 stars instead of one is because despite all the elements about it that I hated, for some reason it was compulsively readable for the first half or so. I was really into it, but then it was just so relentlessly nauseating I couldn't do it anymore. I skimmed the lat 70 pages as quickly as I could just to find out "whodunnit". Which, while it did take me by surprise, was extremely over the top and almost gag worthy. The bad guy even pulled a Scooby Doo - "I would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for you meddling kids!"
October 25, 2016
So I really enjoyed this sweet little insta-love book about Brandon and Nate. I liked the writing style. Everything flowed really well. The only thing I can say is it could have been cut down by about 75 pages. Other than that I loved the relationship between Bran and Nate. They had a mature, respectful and caring relationship that we don't always see in romance novels. Poor Nate. I wanted to reach in my kindle and hug the poor guy. As far as the suspense storyline goes, I figured out one of the players pretty early on but the other was a TOTAL shocker for me. The sex scenes could've been a little hotter but they were well placed throughout the story. Loved the secondary characters. Especially Bran's grandmother. Damn that woman was funny. Definitely looking forward to the next in this series which I understand is even better than this one.
January 14, 2009
Loved it! I normally solve these mystery stories within the first couple of chapters. Not this one. It was sweet, romantic, and managed to surprise me.
August 3, 2012
I only 25% and I do like it. It's funny and charming... But the pet names and stuff are annoying. And the big bad sheriff faints!! That was just like wtf for me.
And the crying! Grow up ladies! I'm all for emotional expressiveness but all these guys are just crying while talking about the littlest things. The crying is too much even for a female character from those old harriqueer romances
this is like instant everything. like marry me or i'll die without after like no time at all. i'll use pictures to sum this up
(Ang sent me this one. I love Nemo)
this is Nate
then he turns into
Brandon is like 30 and calls his dad "Daddy" for me that was weird
I really liked the mystery and twists and that type of stuff. it was good but the instant love/you're my soul shit was annoying. and the crying, wow they cried way too much for me to want to read about.
And does any grown man really take that many baths??
i did find the sheriff pretty sexy though
And the crying! Grow up ladies! I'm all for emotional expressiveness but all these guys are just crying while talking about the littlest things. The crying is too much even for a female character from those old harriqueer romances
this is like instant everything. like marry me or i'll die without after like no time at all. i'll use pictures to sum this up
(Ang sent me this one. I love Nemo)this is Nate
then he turns into
Brandon is like 30 and calls his dad "Daddy" for me that was weird
I really liked the mystery and twists and that type of stuff. it was good but the instant love/you're my soul shit was annoying. and the crying, wow they cried way too much for me to want to read about.
And does any grown man really take that many baths??
i did find the sheriff pretty sexy though
December 31, 2011
A fantastic read. A well told story with real characters. I highly recomend.
I've left this far too long to update. This book will always have a special place in my heart as it was my very first bought in print MM romance lol. I read it free on line first so for me to then go and buy it has to be good.
Sara has a way with words that just drew me in from the start. The twists and turns of her plot might be a little too much for some people but overall for me it just kept me guessing like a good fiction plot should. The romance might be the insta love kind but every now and then it really happens. Like most readers I'm not a fan of insta love because in most cases its just an excuse to get the MC into bed, I don't see it that way in this book. Brandon and Nate are two gay men looking for the same thing as most straight couples. A loving partner for life.
This was a perfect introduction for first time MM readers and while my standards of MM romance have got more critical, lets face it the MM romance is actually hard to find among all the MM porn that is masquarading as romance, this will always be among one I recomend.
Sara Bell has gone from strength to strength learning along the way, unlike some authors that just churn out the same thing over and over again. Sara seems to want to improve and do her fans the service of listening and learning. Sara has come a long way since starting her writting back in 2003, and I hope she continues to write for many more years to come.
I've left this far too long to update. This book will always have a special place in my heart as it was my very first bought in print MM romance lol. I read it free on line first so for me to then go and buy it has to be good.
Sara has a way with words that just drew me in from the start. The twists and turns of her plot might be a little too much for some people but overall for me it just kept me guessing like a good fiction plot should. The romance might be the insta love kind but every now and then it really happens. Like most readers I'm not a fan of insta love because in most cases its just an excuse to get the MC into bed, I don't see it that way in this book. Brandon and Nate are two gay men looking for the same thing as most straight couples. A loving partner for life.
This was a perfect introduction for first time MM readers and while my standards of MM romance have got more critical, lets face it the MM romance is actually hard to find among all the MM porn that is masquarading as romance, this will always be among one I recomend.
Sara Bell has gone from strength to strength learning along the way, unlike some authors that just churn out the same thing over and over again. Sara seems to want to improve and do her fans the service of listening and learning. Sara has come a long way since starting her writting back in 2003, and I hope she continues to write for many more years to come.
January 11, 2012
I enjoyed this book. It was recommended and I am glad I took the time to FIND a paperback online, I am only sorry that it took me so long to finish. (Life stuff got in the way in December.)
Sara Bell's first novel was an interesting book to read. I can not tell you how many times I was on the edge of my seat! She had me guessing and I could not predict the outcome. (that's a plus!) I found Nathan and Brandon believable and charming together. I liked the plot twists and ongoing investigation amidst the ever growing attraction and commitment between these two men.
This was a pleasant read from beginning to end. Straight forward, easy reading. This is a good one to read on a Sunday afternoon in front of a fire, propped up your your favorite chair with the dog at your feet. Heart warming.
Sara Bell, thank you for writing it. :)
Sara Bell's first novel was an interesting book to read. I can not tell you how many times I was on the edge of my seat! She had me guessing and I could not predict the outcome. (that's a plus!) I found Nathan and Brandon believable and charming together. I liked the plot twists and ongoing investigation amidst the ever growing attraction and commitment between these two men.
This was a pleasant read from beginning to end. Straight forward, easy reading. This is a good one to read on a Sunday afternoon in front of a fire, propped up your your favorite chair with the dog at your feet. Heart warming.
Sara Bell, thank you for writing it. :)
September 15, 2012
Awful, awful, awful. This went from "the author might have just been smoking something" to "what the fuck man, am I being Punk'd?!"
The thing is filled with cliches from the token over-the-top homophobic father to the cackling evil mastermind . The clues to solving the mystery came with their own foreshadowing background music I was surprised no one in that uber-supportive-to-the-point-of-are-you-kidding-me family didn't hear it.
The sheriff MC was the typical Alpha hero and the doctor MC could have been changed into a girl and you wouldn't even notice (one reviewer might have called it chicks with dicks- how accurate). There was also insta-love like you wouldn't believe - guys meet a couple of hours ago and sheriff already calls him baby, a couple days later and he's staking ownership. They also spew out romantic lines and odes of everlasting love to each other not even a month after their first meeting.
If this had been 50% shorter - cause believe me it could easily have been - I'd have rated it two stars just because I've liked Sara Bell's short stories. But that was such a long fucking torture, I had to cut one star off. If I wanted to read an inept damsel in distress acting compliant and virginal and boneless, I'd have just read the many many hetero historicals I've been avoiding like the plague.
The thing is filled with cliches from the token over-the-top homophobic father to the cackling evil mastermind . The clues to solving the mystery came with their own foreshadowing background music I was surprised no one in that uber-supportive-to-the-point-of-are-you-kidding-me family didn't hear it.
The sheriff MC was the typical Alpha hero and the doctor MC could have been changed into a girl and you wouldn't even notice (one reviewer might have called it chicks with dicks- how accurate). There was also insta-love like you wouldn't believe - guys meet a couple of hours ago and sheriff already calls him baby, a couple days later and he's staking ownership. They also spew out romantic lines and odes of everlasting love to each other not even a month after their first meeting.
If this had been 50% shorter - cause believe me it could easily have been - I'd have rated it two stars just because I've liked Sara Bell's short stories. But that was such a long fucking torture, I had to cut one star off. If I wanted to read an inept damsel in distress acting compliant and virginal and boneless, I'd have just read the many many hetero historicals I've been avoiding like the plague.
October 14, 2010
Meh m/m romance from an author whose more recent work I really love. Chicks with dicks, insta-love, stalker(s)... *sigh*
Read
May 3, 2010This is a strange novel since it has unexpected layers. Apparently it’s an almost sugary romance, full of good feelings and happy families directly out of a afternoon tv show: Reed, Illinois, few minutes from Chicago, seems an utopian little town; the Chief Sheriff is an handsome and gay young man, Brandon Nash; most of the local business are owned by gay and lesbian couple; the local pastor has a gay son and has nothing against the idea of marrying same sex couples; Brandon’s family is like a big and welcoming clan, from the top, two over 80 grandparents who still behave like a 20 years old couple, right down to 6 or 7 or 8 (I lost count) siblings, among brothers and sisters, with connected in-laws and various descendants.
When Dr. Nathan Morris opens a private practice in Reed with his girl best friend Amy, they don’t realize that they have just landed in LGBT paradise. And actually the first experience is right at the opposite: Nathan is the victim of a gay bashing, and when Brandon arrives to the premises, he can’t believe it. As he can’t believe how lucky he is to have found another handsome, and wealthy, gay man in Nathan, the perfect match for his perfect self and for his perfect family. Without many second thoughts, Brandon almost kidnaps Nathan, taking him home, officially to have him in a secure place, unofficially to avoid that someone else of the many eligible gay bachelors in town realize of Nathan’s existence. And to be sure that Nathan will not change idea, Brandon uses the help of his big family, giving to Nathan that warm, and comfortable, embrace that he lost when he came out to his very conservative family.
The first part of the book is more centred on Nathan and Brandon’s blossoming relationship, and on their idyllic love; the reader almost forgets that there is someone out there who is trying to scare, and probably kill, the handsome doctor. And then probably, the reader thinks that the villain is so evident that he has to not spend so many thoughts on imagining who he/she is. And here comes out the hidden side of this apparently perfect pink glasses perspective novel: the author one by one throws to the reader possible villains, every time giving the right dose of proofs to make them the most likable culprit, and dismantling soon after the theory. The story flows in parallel plots: the romance between Nathan and Brandon, and a bit also between Nathan and Brandon’s family, who is as big as a main character like Brandon is, and the mystery of who is trying to kill Nathan; better who is behind the hit man that time after time is plotting a way to be sure that Nathan and Brandon’s love story will not have an happily ever after.
I don’t know, maybe due to the publisher, a very good one, but also committed to “serious” LGBT novels, I wasn’t expecting for the story to be so good on the romantic side. True, I had already in the past the chance to test Sara Bell as romance author, and she has never missed the target, always delivering a good love story; more, even if dealing with same sex relationship, her stories are often “classical” romance, with all the standards for being classified “romance”; and so is this time: The Magic in Your Touch is basically a small town love story, with only the positive, and warmly, gossip that having an affair in a small town involves.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0975436635/?...
When Dr. Nathan Morris opens a private practice in Reed with his girl best friend Amy, they don’t realize that they have just landed in LGBT paradise. And actually the first experience is right at the opposite: Nathan is the victim of a gay bashing, and when Brandon arrives to the premises, he can’t believe it. As he can’t believe how lucky he is to have found another handsome, and wealthy, gay man in Nathan, the perfect match for his perfect self and for his perfect family. Without many second thoughts, Brandon almost kidnaps Nathan, taking him home, officially to have him in a secure place, unofficially to avoid that someone else of the many eligible gay bachelors in town realize of Nathan’s existence. And to be sure that Nathan will not change idea, Brandon uses the help of his big family, giving to Nathan that warm, and comfortable, embrace that he lost when he came out to his very conservative family.
The first part of the book is more centred on Nathan and Brandon’s blossoming relationship, and on their idyllic love; the reader almost forgets that there is someone out there who is trying to scare, and probably kill, the handsome doctor. And then probably, the reader thinks that the villain is so evident that he has to not spend so many thoughts on imagining who he/she is. And here comes out the hidden side of this apparently perfect pink glasses perspective novel: the author one by one throws to the reader possible villains, every time giving the right dose of proofs to make them the most likable culprit, and dismantling soon after the theory. The story flows in parallel plots: the romance between Nathan and Brandon, and a bit also between Nathan and Brandon’s family, who is as big as a main character like Brandon is, and the mystery of who is trying to kill Nathan; better who is behind the hit man that time after time is plotting a way to be sure that Nathan and Brandon’s love story will not have an happily ever after.
I don’t know, maybe due to the publisher, a very good one, but also committed to “serious” LGBT novels, I wasn’t expecting for the story to be so good on the romantic side. True, I had already in the past the chance to test Sara Bell as romance author, and she has never missed the target, always delivering a good love story; more, even if dealing with same sex relationship, her stories are often “classical” romance, with all the standards for being classified “romance”; and so is this time: The Magic in Your Touch is basically a small town love story, with only the positive, and warmly, gossip that having an affair in a small town involves.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0975436635/?...
September 12, 2014
Thank God I was introduced to Sara Bell through one of her recent story ... because if I read this one first, there is no way I will follow up with her stories.
This one is Sara Bell's first stoy, I think. MY GOD, it's just plain bad. It's chicks with dicks, that's for sure. While the mystery is pretty decent, but the sugary syrupy sweet "love" story between Brandon and Nate made me want to gag in honesty. I can fall for sappy stories but man!!! The crying, the overused of terms of endearment. It's just HORRIBLE!! Not to mention some of the typo that repeated over the pages. I started to skim the pages in the last few chapters because I wanted to end my misery. Seriously, the only reason I give this a two star is because there are some good scenes to make up for it.
Good to know that Sara Bell improves with the evidence of her recent stories, which I love *pheww*
This one is Sara Bell's first stoy, I think. MY GOD, it's just plain bad. It's chicks with dicks, that's for sure. While the mystery is pretty decent, but the sugary syrupy sweet "love" story between Brandon and Nate made me want to gag in honesty. I can fall for sappy stories but man!!! The crying, the overused of terms of endearment. It's just HORRIBLE!! Not to mention some of the typo that repeated over the pages. I started to skim the pages in the last few chapters because I wanted to end my misery. Seriously, the only reason I give this a two star is because there are some good scenes to make up for it.
Good to know that Sara Bell improves with the evidence of her recent stories, which I love *pheww*
Read
November 11, 2016Cliche ridden all the way through. Not my cup of tea at all, but I suffered through it.
The MCs fall in love at first sight. Know everything about each other after two weeks. Proposes after two weeks.
Everyone is either good or completely bad. Everyone is at the right place at the right time, and always overhear everything and suddenly announced their arrival.
The only good thing, that made the two star was the mystery. If this book had been all about the romance, with no mystery in it, it would've gotten a one star.
Seriously. The romance was just to much. I like at least a little bit of realism in books.
The MCs fall in love at first sight. Know everything about each other after two weeks. Proposes after two weeks.
Everyone is either good or completely bad. Everyone is at the right place at the right time, and always overhear everything and suddenly announced their arrival.
The only good thing, that made the two star was the mystery. If this book had been all about the romance, with no mystery in it, it would've gotten a one star.
Seriously. The romance was just to much. I like at least a little bit of realism in books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2013
I really liked this book a lot, but I read the sequel "The Way You Say My Name" first by accident, which I actually liked even better. The books are a bit long, but definitely recommended.
How could you not like books with well-developed characters that you're compelled by? And the 80+ year old grandmother seemingly obsessed with anal sex is definitely a first for me. : )
How could you not like books with well-developed characters that you're compelled by? And the 80+ year old grandmother seemingly obsessed with anal sex is definitely a first for me. : )
September 20, 2016
loved this series...had to re read...wish the author would write again :(
October 12, 2012
This was too sweet for me. Interesting characters but both them and the storyline were a little to unrealistic and overly dramatic. A fun read though, almost a bit like a fairytale.
December 10, 2011
Reread
August 3, 2012
What I loved: the mystery; twists and turns; funny lines; thinking I figured things out only to be wrong each time; the layers being peeled back up to the very end; and I also loved many of the characters.
What I didn't love: the insta love between Brandon and Nate; the overusage of pet names, especially after only knowing each other a few days; the contradiction in maturity in that they did not seem to act their ages; and that Nate seemed to cry an awful lot.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and the tangled web created. I was hooked to the end.
What I didn't love: the insta love between Brandon and Nate; the overusage of pet names, especially after only knowing each other a few days; the contradiction in maturity in that they did not seem to act their ages; and that Nate seemed to cry an awful lot.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and the tangled web created. I was hooked to the end.
May 21, 2011
This deserves a 5-star read. The reason why not?
Aaargh...SOMEONE used spellcheck instead of editing the text properly. I am very sad about this, because I enjoyed the novel very much. The plot was well developed, the characters were sympathetic. I could almost forgive the references to 'loosing' instead of 'losing' and so forth.
Mostly, a good read.
Aaargh...SOMEONE used spellcheck instead of editing the text properly. I am very sad about this, because I enjoyed the novel very much. The plot was well developed, the characters were sympathetic. I could almost forgive the references to 'loosing' instead of 'losing' and so forth.
Mostly, a good read.
December 11, 2011
3.5 *
It was nice story with lot of twist and turns to keep me glued to the pages. Nathan and Brandon were lovely couple but their love making lacked the spark.
It was nice story with lot of twist and turns to keep me glued to the pages. Nathan and Brandon were lovely couple but their love making lacked the spark.
Read
April 26, 2017DNF @ 33%. This book just wasn't for me. The insta-love had me rolling my eyes. I still decided to give this a go, though, but I came to my rope's end when Brandon proposed. I mean, seriously?! You just met the guy two weeks ago!
I felt like banging my head on the wall and saying 'make it stop, make it stop' till the pain of reading this book got eclipsed by the pain in my head.
As if the insta-love and marriage proposal wasn't bad enough, the book had a lot of spelling errors and typos. I thought authors had editors for a reason? Use spell-check next time, is all I can say.
Not only that, but Nate was the classic 'girl' of the book. Exhibit A: He cooked the food and gave Brandon a beer when he came back from his job while Bran went and watched TV. Exhibit B (and I quote): "Brandon was so old-fashioned, Nate was surprised he didn't ask him to quit working all together so Bran could support him. Maybe once the kids came along, he would move his office to the house." If I wanted to read out-dated heterosexual romance, I would be.
If you love love at first sight and ultra possessive-ness, then this is the book for you. But if not, run for the hills.
I'm not saying give up on Sara Bell's books entirely. There's bound to be a bad batch somewhere, am I right? And for me, this one was it.
I felt like banging my head on the wall and saying 'make it stop, make it stop' till the pain of reading this book got eclipsed by the pain in my head.
As if the insta-love and marriage proposal wasn't bad enough, the book had a lot of spelling errors and typos. I thought authors had editors for a reason? Use spell-check next time, is all I can say.
Not only that, but Nate was the classic 'girl' of the book. Exhibit A: He cooked the food and gave Brandon a beer when he came back from his job while Bran went and watched TV. Exhibit B (and I quote): "Brandon was so old-fashioned, Nate was surprised he didn't ask him to quit working all together so Bran could support him. Maybe once the kids came along, he would move his office to the house." If I wanted to read out-dated heterosexual romance, I would be.
If you love love at first sight and ultra possessive-ness, then this is the book for you. But if not, run for the hills.
I'm not saying give up on Sara Bell's books entirely. There's bound to be a bad batch somewhere, am I right? And for me, this one was it.
November 5, 2011
It was like really dry brittle sugar cookies. Dry because the sex was dry (even with lube), brittle because I got frustrated reading and I was chewing my nails. Sugary sweet sentiments from overly manly gay men who dont look/act gay and the cookie part well it was a cookie cutter story. There was a lot of 'extras' that tried to make the story/characters worthwhile but it failed. I have so many questions but just dont have the energy or concern to ask them. I wholeheartly agree with Nicole H review. I like reading series however when I went to look at the next book I was so sure it would be about Seth. Oh no, it's about Dillon. Who the hell is Dillon? I think there was a Dillon but I could have missed him since he wasnt a main character or even a supporting character hell he could have been a waiter somewhere or maybe a bartender. Ohhh there I go questioning and getting pissed for caring. Suffice to say I just cant see looking for any other Sara Bell books.
June 22, 2013
To be honest, I was bummed this wasn't available on Amazon. I had to read it on my laptop and well, my eyes hurt now. Cool it was free, but bad for my eyes.
I loved the "whodunit". I thought that Brandon and Nate's pet names were a little much, but I got over that.
I LOVED the Nash clan. Holy moly, spicy guacamole! Seriously, they are the best. Especially Grandma Taylor ;)
There were some errors that were annoying like lose/loose! ARGH!
This was dialogue heavy which was nice. I enjoy dialogue heavy books. I like being inside someone's head, but I also like watching it ping back and forth.
There was a lot there was unbelievable, like Nash telling anyone and everyone about the case he was working on. But, I got over that. Remember this is fiction :)
Overall, this was sappy and syrupy sweet. Insta-love doesn't even begin to describe it. But, I enjoyed it.
I loved the "whodunit". I thought that Brandon and Nate's pet names were a little much, but I got over that.
I LOVED the Nash clan. Holy moly, spicy guacamole! Seriously, they are the best. Especially Grandma Taylor ;)
There were some errors that were annoying like lose/loose! ARGH!
This was dialogue heavy which was nice. I enjoy dialogue heavy books. I like being inside someone's head, but I also like watching it ping back and forth.
There was a lot there was unbelievable, like Nash telling anyone and everyone about the case he was working on. But, I got over that. Remember this is fiction :)
Overall, this was sappy and syrupy sweet. Insta-love doesn't even begin to describe it. But, I enjoyed it.
November 29, 2015
This is an above average romance built within a murder mystery. Even though I figured out the bad guys pretty early on, I still enjoyed the unveiling of the plot as it was cleverly written. The only thing a little bit niggling was a bit of insta-love between Brandon and Nathan. The characters of both of the men's families were well written and I did like the more realistic approach to the traumatizing of Nate during the various crises of the story. Also Brandon's grandmother is a hoot.
This is not the first book I've read by Sara Bell and I haven't been disappointed yet. I'm on to read The Way You Say My Name next.
This is not the first book I've read by Sara Bell and I haven't been disappointed yet. I'm on to read The Way You Say My Name next.
February 27, 2012
4.5 Stars
It's a really sweet story. The only probably I had with it was that at times Nathan became really annoying because of his saintly behavior and I felt that he just forgave everyone too easily. Also I found it to be too convenient that when Brandon and Nathan met someone new that person would be okay with gays because someone they loved was gay (ex. the FBI agent who had a older son who was gay). It was a bit unbelievable the amount of times this happened (well it seemed that way to me anyhow).
The twist and turns in this book made a really enjoyable read and I had my suspicions about who was really behind Nathan's attacks.
It's a really sweet story. The only probably I had with it was that at times Nathan became really annoying because of his saintly behavior and I felt that he just forgave everyone too easily. Also I found it to be too convenient that when Brandon and Nathan met someone new that person would be okay with gays because someone they loved was gay (ex. the FBI agent who had a older son who was gay). It was a bit unbelievable the amount of times this happened (well it seemed that way to me anyhow).
The twist and turns in this book made a really enjoyable read and I had my suspicions about who was really behind Nathan's attacks.
July 4, 2012
It was ok. It written fairly well (despite a severe lose/loose problem). Nicely formatted. And it was a free online read so it was a good way to pass some spare time at the computer.
I really read it for the mystery plot, which was very good. I did wind up guessing whodunit but I did get the motive completely wrong. And there was a twist on the whoodunit that I completely did not see coming. So, good mystery!
However, the relationship plot . .. ech. Total Insta-Love! And it went from there.
So. If you want a mystery and some skim-able relationship plot, fire up your browser and leave the window open for a few days while you read during your spare time or when you're bored.
I really read it for the mystery plot, which was very good. I did wind up guessing whodunit but I did get the motive completely wrong. And there was a twist on the whoodunit that I completely did not see coming. So, good mystery!
However, the relationship plot . .. ech. Total Insta-Love! And it went from there.
So. If you want a mystery and some skim-able relationship plot, fire up your browser and leave the window open for a few days while you read during your spare time or when you're bored.
October 25, 2009
HA! Unlike the first one that blew my mind, I was able to figure out the who-done-it well into the story. If you really think about it it wasn't that hard to figure it out :snickering: It was right there in plain eyesight, but other than that the book still held intrigue and suspense.
What was hard to read was that this author couldn't have been further from the truth when the story elaborated on psycho Doc and his methods of reversing being gay and the part about institutes and camps for that very thing. They're out there and they exist. :shivers:
Other than that, awesome story!
What was hard to read was that this author couldn't have been further from the truth when the story elaborated on psycho Doc and his methods of reversing being gay and the part about institutes and camps for that very thing. They're out there and they exist. :shivers:
Other than that, awesome story!
April 1, 2011
This story is really well developed and written. The atmosphere was intense, active and full of humor. I loved it. The main mystery was truly well plotted, nicely done. Only sex scenes between Nathan and Brandon didn't fit. I mean everything was so well written and plotted, but sex scenes were just rushed and there were no true feelings I could feel at all. I really missed that. But in general well written mystery story. Highly recommended.
April 22, 2017
This was horrible. Straight up bad. But it was like train wreck bad, you know? Where it's horrible, but you can't turn away?
I have liked Sara Bell's books in the past. If you're looking for one of hers to read, I would recommend you choose any other one.
Seriously, I cannot imagine you would not feel reading this particular book was a waste of your time.
So, so bad.
I have liked Sara Bell's books in the past. If you're looking for one of hers to read, I would recommend you choose any other one.
Seriously, I cannot imagine you would not feel reading this particular book was a waste of your time.
So, so bad.
October 27, 2016
**3.5 Stars**
Super sweet, super cheesy insta-love at it's finest. It was just what I needed.
Brandon was a great hero. I didn't like Nate quite as much but he was still good. Looking forward to the next one.
Super sweet, super cheesy insta-love at it's finest. It was just what I needed.
Brandon was a great hero. I didn't like Nate quite as much but he was still good. Looking forward to the next one.
April 23, 2017
It's LOSE/LOSING! Not LOOSE/LOOSING! Where's the editing? GRRRRR!
Sugary sweet, cliched romance.
Sugary sweet, cliched romance.
December 3, 2011
The book that made me fall in love with Sara's writing!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews