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SoCal Boys
Pounding Beat
Colin Talton just can’t seem to break out of his shell. It’s his second year in college, and he’s still shy, still quiet, and still unable to bring himself to finally explore his sexuality—or anything else. That all changes when he rescues a wandering pit bull from a date with a truck’s front bumper, and Colin is drawn into the unusual life of the pup’s dark and charismatic owner. Marcus Moon wants the entire world to hear his music. With his talent, he just needs that last final push. He can’t afford any distractions, especially not one as big as falling in love, but as he shares his music and his passion with the eager and surprisingly talented Colin, Marcus finds himself slipping. As Colin ventures deeper into Marcus’s vibrant world of nightclubs and music festivals, his feelings for his friend grow as intense as the beat just before the drop—but Colin can’t believe Marcus could be gay. Can he finally find the courage to go after his desires, and can he show the stubborn Marcus that love is exactly what he needs to finally reach his full potential? The SoCal Boys is a series of standalone gay romance novels set in sunny California, and can be read and enjoyed in any order you choose!
- GenresM M RomanceCollege
381 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 4, 2025
C'était super cliché, très nian nian mais que c'était mignon, mon dieu, parfois j'ai juste besoin de ca quoi
October 13, 2016
I am so happy that I was given this book to read as an ARC in return for a honest review. Both my fur babies and I have been experiencing some health problems - severe enough to keep from Reading and Reviewing. As the many thousands of books all around me and on my Kindles stare accusatory at me. Believe me I wanted to Read all these great books & stories. I was just physically incapable. Though it didn't stop me from purchasing new books / anthologies for the future. It made me eager to one day read books from Dreamspinner Press, All Romance, Book Strand, Love Light Press, and the many publishers of Mpreg & other Omega books.
This story really surprised me. It's not at all what I expected, which made it even more enjoyable. I like stories that teach me about something I'm unfamiliar with or known only a little about. Two young men that destiny is determined to get them to meet one another. Not in the classroom, not in the campus corridors, not on the college campus grounds at all. What brings them together is the least likeliest occurrence. Colin is afraid of dogs, but it's a dog, actually two that lead to the adventure of a lifetime.
Despite an attraction to men, Colin has never acted on it. He has Social Anxiety. A self fulfilling cage that keeps him imprisoned. While he has gone to the local college for two years, he can't bring himself to make friends, let alone find a boyfriend. A great roommate who could have introduced Colin to others, turned out to be a horrible roommate that led to him living with his best friend Yuri. Unfortunately Yuri's social life consists of his online gaming acquaintances. While not suffering from social anxiety Yuri was a big slacker who couldn't be bothered to leave the house . As long as he had games and heart and occasional meal he was very content. But as a good friend he tried to help Colin be more social. Though not very successfully.
Reuniting lost dog with his owner, led Colin to a promise of tutoring at Yuri's insistence. In a mini studio, in a back cottage, Marcus the dog's owner introduced Colin to a form of music he was wholly unfamiliar with, yet was attracted to instantly. He had a great time with his brand new friend, Marcus Moon. The end of a semester usually meant the end of Colin's chances to socialize, but not this summer. Learning about a new type of techno music fascinated him as much as both Colin and I. Both of us being classical music lovers.
A collaboration between Colin and Marcus creates some beautiful music. But their journey to HEA isn't an easy one. At times it seems impossible. In the interim a possible girlfriend, dealing with a crowded concert for someone who has Social Anxiety, very good interfering friends who really care about them, opening one's heart was hard especially when it is not reciprocated.
Becoming self-aware is a difficult process, for Marcus is it especially worse. He had so much to prove to his Korean parents about becoming successful. What is he willing to give up to attain his dream? Is there anything or anyone more important than his very ambitious musical dream?
Cory Ryder's SUSTAIN is a very entertaining book. Full of information on a techno style of music, the people who create it, and why they do it? Who are the fans? What does this musical subculture consists of?How do they learn about new artists? Who are the people who create it and why do they do it? How competitive are they? What are their major music festivals? How can someone be selected to participate?
This is at times a very fun story, at others sweet, but there is heartache as well. This book has everything a really good romance needs. I highly recommend this to others .
This story really surprised me. It's not at all what I expected, which made it even more enjoyable. I like stories that teach me about something I'm unfamiliar with or known only a little about. Two young men that destiny is determined to get them to meet one another. Not in the classroom, not in the campus corridors, not on the college campus grounds at all. What brings them together is the least likeliest occurrence. Colin is afraid of dogs, but it's a dog, actually two that lead to the adventure of a lifetime.
Despite an attraction to men, Colin has never acted on it. He has Social Anxiety. A self fulfilling cage that keeps him imprisoned. While he has gone to the local college for two years, he can't bring himself to make friends, let alone find a boyfriend. A great roommate who could have introduced Colin to others, turned out to be a horrible roommate that led to him living with his best friend Yuri. Unfortunately Yuri's social life consists of his online gaming acquaintances. While not suffering from social anxiety Yuri was a big slacker who couldn't be bothered to leave the house . As long as he had games and heart and occasional meal he was very content. But as a good friend he tried to help Colin be more social. Though not very successfully.
Reuniting lost dog with his owner, led Colin to a promise of tutoring at Yuri's insistence. In a mini studio, in a back cottage, Marcus the dog's owner introduced Colin to a form of music he was wholly unfamiliar with, yet was attracted to instantly. He had a great time with his brand new friend, Marcus Moon. The end of a semester usually meant the end of Colin's chances to socialize, but not this summer. Learning about a new type of techno music fascinated him as much as both Colin and I. Both of us being classical music lovers.
A collaboration between Colin and Marcus creates some beautiful music. But their journey to HEA isn't an easy one. At times it seems impossible. In the interim a possible girlfriend, dealing with a crowded concert for someone who has Social Anxiety, very good interfering friends who really care about them, opening one's heart was hard especially when it is not reciprocated.
Becoming self-aware is a difficult process, for Marcus is it especially worse. He had so much to prove to his Korean parents about becoming successful. What is he willing to give up to attain his dream? Is there anything or anyone more important than his very ambitious musical dream?
Cory Ryder's SUSTAIN is a very entertaining book. Full of information on a techno style of music, the people who create it, and why they do it? Who are the fans? What does this musical subculture consists of?How do they learn about new artists? Who are the people who create it and why do they do it? How competitive are they? What are their major music festivals? How can someone be selected to participate?
This is at times a very fun story, at others sweet, but there is heartache as well. This book has everything a really good romance needs. I highly recommend this to others .
September 20, 2016
“He could… let everything he’d locked down in his heart burst free.”
I loved this book, and the way Colin and Marcus discover which way their passion truly leads, first from an unexpected musical collaboration and then from the overwhelming chemistry that makes them such great partners. When we first meet Colin, he’s still struggling with the social anxieties that didn’t miraculously disappear when he went to college, and he comes so far from being that shy introvert as he submerses himself deeper into his evolving love of music and finds himself on stage, confidently leading their audience. His partnership with Marcus opens his eyes to an entire world that he had no idea even existed, and I couldn’t get enough of how whole-heartedly he throws himself into both their music and their relationship. He loves so purely and honestly that I found myself bracing for how much deeper it would hurt if something happened. That said, there’s such an intensity about Marcus’ love of and commitment to music that it translates into him putting an extraordinary amount of pressure on himself and I couldn’t help but feel for him as he struggled to figure out how to get what he thought he needed. The sheer joy they derive from sharing music and being together is infectious, this relatively quick read was such a fun choice…
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book, and the way Colin and Marcus discover which way their passion truly leads, first from an unexpected musical collaboration and then from the overwhelming chemistry that makes them such great partners. When we first meet Colin, he’s still struggling with the social anxieties that didn’t miraculously disappear when he went to college, and he comes so far from being that shy introvert as he submerses himself deeper into his evolving love of music and finds himself on stage, confidently leading their audience. His partnership with Marcus opens his eyes to an entire world that he had no idea even existed, and I couldn’t get enough of how whole-heartedly he throws himself into both their music and their relationship. He loves so purely and honestly that I found myself bracing for how much deeper it would hurt if something happened. That said, there’s such an intensity about Marcus’ love of and commitment to music that it translates into him putting an extraordinary amount of pressure on himself and I couldn’t help but feel for him as he struggled to figure out how to get what he thought he needed. The sheer joy they derive from sharing music and being together is infectious, this relatively quick read was such a fun choice…
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 18, 2016
WOW... there were some VERY strange sentences in this one! Missing words and such about drove me crazy... but, never fear the story was really worth wading through the proofreading mess! :D
Marcus was a bit of an idiot, but Colin had his head on straight and even overcame his anxiety of being around people he didn't know (BIG time!!!) I loved Christine's character... she kept those two from keeping their heads too far up their own butts! Micah? Not sure what the author is going to do with him... if anything, but he was a good friend to Marcus! Wait, I almost forgot Yuri... *smh*... I just loved him and can totally relate to his life choices... it was great to watch him grow up right before our very eyes! hehehe
This story is set in a world that I am totally unfamiliar with... but feel that I could hold a conversation about it now... and can I just say... YouTube is the greatest! *grin*
This was one of those stories that days or weeks after you finish it, you will come across something to remind you of it and you will get a small smile on your face and move on with the rest of your day!
Marcus was a bit of an idiot, but Colin had his head on straight and even overcame his anxiety of being around people he didn't know (BIG time!!!) I loved Christine's character... she kept those two from keeping their heads too far up their own butts! Micah? Not sure what the author is going to do with him... if anything, but he was a good friend to Marcus! Wait, I almost forgot Yuri... *smh*... I just loved him and can totally relate to his life choices... it was great to watch him grow up right before our very eyes! hehehe
This story is set in a world that I am totally unfamiliar with... but feel that I could hold a conversation about it now... and can I just say... YouTube is the greatest! *grin*
This was one of those stories that days or weeks after you finish it, you will come across something to remind you of it and you will get a small smile on your face and move on with the rest of your day!
October 10, 2016
This was a sweet, low angst story that would have gotten a higher rating if it was not for the editing. I liked both characters and the EDM storyline was something new and interesting for me. I just kept getting distracted by the errors which is unfortunate because I liked the story.
January 8, 2026
Me ha gustado mucho la forma que tiene la historia de transmitir la pasión por la música y todo lo que esta puede hacer sentir. La historia en sí es bastante sencilla, pero muy bonita a la vez. Se lee muy rápido
November 28, 2016
Music to my reading ears...
Finding a mutual interest in any relationship is a key element to making it successfully.
Really enjoyed it and recommend it.
Finding a mutual interest in any relationship is a key element to making it successfully.
Really enjoyed it and recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews