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Rocky
I never thought I'd be back here and I never thought it'd be so painful.
The small mountain town where I grew up is full of memories, most of them bad. Memories of my parents forcing their homophobia down my throat, memories of me losing myself to drugs and alcohol... There is only one good memory, the memory of my best friend Will. And my addiction to drugs (mixed with the shame I felt for being gay) ruined our relationship. He's the only man I have ever truly loved.
I never thought I'd see him again. But the death of my old friend, Tyler, brings me back to town. I feel obligated to attend the funeral even though I haven't seen him in years. And in that process, I'm going to have to see Will and face all the trauma of my past that I've avoided for so long. I've moved on from my addictions, I'm a very successful author now with a life that I really enjoy.
But something is still missing. Something will always be missing without Will.
Am I even that important to him?
I didn't expect to see Alex back in our hometown. In all these years, he's never returned, he's never tried to contact me. I thought he was too good for us now that he's a best-selling author. All the things I know about him now I only know from reading his book and he doesn't mention me very much in it.
Then again, his book is mostly about his struggle with his substance abuse. I never knew how bad things got for him after he moved away but his life really spiraled out of control. I always warned him that he was heading down a rocky road but he didn't want to hear it when we were younger. So I lost my best friend, the person I turned to for everything. And I've accepted that I'm probably never going to get that back.
But I still hope I will. With all my heart, I hope I still mean something to him.
This standalone MM romance novel is currently on sale for .99 and comes complete with HEA ending and bonus material from two of my other books!
The small mountain town where I grew up is full of memories, most of them bad. Memories of my parents forcing their homophobia down my throat, memories of me losing myself to drugs and alcohol... There is only one good memory, the memory of my best friend Will. And my addiction to drugs (mixed with the shame I felt for being gay) ruined our relationship. He's the only man I have ever truly loved.
I never thought I'd see him again. But the death of my old friend, Tyler, brings me back to town. I feel obligated to attend the funeral even though I haven't seen him in years. And in that process, I'm going to have to see Will and face all the trauma of my past that I've avoided for so long. I've moved on from my addictions, I'm a very successful author now with a life that I really enjoy.
But something is still missing. Something will always be missing without Will.
Am I even that important to him?
I didn't expect to see Alex back in our hometown. In all these years, he's never returned, he's never tried to contact me. I thought he was too good for us now that he's a best-selling author. All the things I know about him now I only know from reading his book and he doesn't mention me very much in it.
Then again, his book is mostly about his struggle with his substance abuse. I never knew how bad things got for him after he moved away but his life really spiraled out of control. I always warned him that he was heading down a rocky road but he didn't want to hear it when we were younger. So I lost my best friend, the person I turned to for everything. And I've accepted that I'm probably never going to get that back.
But I still hope I will. With all my heart, I hope I still mean something to him.
This standalone MM romance novel is currently on sale for .99 and comes complete with HEA ending and bonus material from two of my other books!
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2017
28 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Hayden Hunt
23 books54 followersHayden also writes under the pseudonyms
Aimee Alesi
and
Edie Bryant
.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 6, 2017
Hayden Hunts Rocky was posted on MM Romance ARC Club on Facebook. I got a copy for free for a honest review.
Character build to me was good, for it pulled me in emotionally. You know when its a good writer when you can feel all the emotions. Crying is the biggest emotion I felt while reading the story. The story line was well written to me. Didn't see any big issues with the writing. Great story that I know I will probably reread again.
Thank You for letting me read your story.
Character build to me was good, for it pulled me in emotionally. You know when its a good writer when you can feel all the emotions. Crying is the biggest emotion I felt while reading the story. The story line was well written to me. Didn't see any big issues with the writing. Great story that I know I will probably reread again.
Thank You for letting me read your story.
January 19, 2017
This was adorable and sweet. i loved their issues though.. it wasnt just wam bam im back.. but the ending was perfect. loved it
February 14, 2017
Terrible
Simplistic. Unbelievable. The book does not appear to have been edited, and is full of typos, errors, poor spelling & grammar.
Simplistic. Unbelievable. The book does not appear to have been edited, and is full of typos, errors, poor spelling & grammar.
January 17, 2017
**Possible Spoilers**
Alex’s addiction to alcohol and drugs tears apart his friendship with Will, his best friend since they were small.
Will refuses to sit on the sidelines and watch Alex destroy his life as he parties his way through high school.
Alex cannot fathom getting through life with out the chemical crutches he has relied on for so long.
A feeling of guilt brought Alex back to his hometown. He never expected to be accepted or forgiven for his past actions but being sober gives him the shaky courage to face his past.
The author shows us how addiction can tear apart relationships and destroy lives. The self loathing, confusion and temptations associated with addiction and the struggle to resist was put forth in a believable manner.
The firm stance of a loved one in response to the threat of backsliding was also well represented.
I wish it could have been longer. There was a lot more they could have shown us. I really liked the main characters.
I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Alex’s addiction to alcohol and drugs tears apart his friendship with Will, his best friend since they were small.
Will refuses to sit on the sidelines and watch Alex destroy his life as he parties his way through high school.
Alex cannot fathom getting through life with out the chemical crutches he has relied on for so long.
A feeling of guilt brought Alex back to his hometown. He never expected to be accepted or forgiven for his past actions but being sober gives him the shaky courage to face his past.
The author shows us how addiction can tear apart relationships and destroy lives. The self loathing, confusion and temptations associated with addiction and the struggle to resist was put forth in a believable manner.
The firm stance of a loved one in response to the threat of backsliding was also well represented.
I wish it could have been longer. There was a lot more they could have shown us. I really liked the main characters.
I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
February 18, 2017
Coming home as an adult for a teen bad actor
This author seems to specialize in second-chance stories; stories of young love gone awry with a later chance to reconnect and rekindle the flame. This review couldn't be better timed as I learned that the cover models for this story are actually a young married couple in South Africa and this lends reality to the story of Alex, the successful author who has battled addiction and lifestyle problems. He returns home to attend the funeral of a highschool partner in partying and misbehavior feeling some great measure of guilt. Guilt for participating with Tyler in drinking and drugs, guilt for not keeping in touch when he became successful and even more guilt for his treatment of his first love and childhood best friend, Will. Editing problems found in earlier stories continues and we don't really come to know the main characters . 3.5
This author seems to specialize in second-chance stories; stories of young love gone awry with a later chance to reconnect and rekindle the flame. This review couldn't be better timed as I learned that the cover models for this story are actually a young married couple in South Africa and this lends reality to the story of Alex, the successful author who has battled addiction and lifestyle problems. He returns home to attend the funeral of a highschool partner in partying and misbehavior feeling some great measure of guilt. Guilt for participating with Tyler in drinking and drugs, guilt for not keeping in touch when he became successful and even more guilt for his treatment of his first love and childhood best friend, Will. Editing problems found in earlier stories continues and we don't really come to know the main characters . 3.5
February 24, 2017
Liked this one a lot!
February 7, 2017
This is the first book from Hayden Hunt for me. And I am torn on my rating, and I hesitate to give it a 3, or a 4.....I am between liking and really liking it so, for that, I will give it an overall 3.5
This story is about a boy named Alex who grew up in a small town he so desperately wanted out of, and never wanted to return to. Once he get's out, life isn't all sunshine and roses for him, and he has a hard go of it due to his drug and alcohol use. However, he turns his life around, writes a book, and gets famous. He is brought back to his hometown for the funeral of one of his high school friends, who died of an overdose. Alex feels guilty about this, since as kids, these two basically got high and drunk together. Also, Alex is afraid to run into Will, the one boy he loves.
Will and Alex were best friends as kids, always together. Will was in love with Alex, but he refused to watch him ruin his life. So he cut him out. And this hurt both boys. Fast forward and Will is still living in his hometown, running the grocery store his parent's ran when he was growing up. Of course he still has feelings for Alex. But he's hurt, because he feel's Alex didn't think as much of him and he did Alex, since he was barely in his book.
So when these two see each other, it's a conflicting array of emotions. But, Alex shows Will how much he truly cared and still does. So, these two begin a relationship, that is not without it's obstacles. But, these two find their way to each other and find a way to stay together.
All in all, this was a decent story for me. I will definitely read more from Hayden Hunt in the future.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
This story is about a boy named Alex who grew up in a small town he so desperately wanted out of, and never wanted to return to. Once he get's out, life isn't all sunshine and roses for him, and he has a hard go of it due to his drug and alcohol use. However, he turns his life around, writes a book, and gets famous. He is brought back to his hometown for the funeral of one of his high school friends, who died of an overdose. Alex feels guilty about this, since as kids, these two basically got high and drunk together. Also, Alex is afraid to run into Will, the one boy he loves.
Will and Alex were best friends as kids, always together. Will was in love with Alex, but he refused to watch him ruin his life. So he cut him out. And this hurt both boys. Fast forward and Will is still living in his hometown, running the grocery store his parent's ran when he was growing up. Of course he still has feelings for Alex. But he's hurt, because he feel's Alex didn't think as much of him and he did Alex, since he was barely in his book.
So when these two see each other, it's a conflicting array of emotions. But, Alex shows Will how much he truly cared and still does. So, these two begin a relationship, that is not without it's obstacles. But, these two find their way to each other and find a way to stay together.
All in all, this was a decent story for me. I will definitely read more from Hayden Hunt in the future.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2017
I received a free copy of this novel and this is my voluntary review. Hayden has done another great job on this one. Two young men were best friends for years. They even knew how each one felt about each other until Alex decides to go down the dark path of drinking and drugs... Will upset about his closest friend was not about to follow, so he breaks up their friendship. Alex moves away to the big city away from the small mountain town to become a successful writer after he straightens up his life...no more drinking or drugs. About 10 years later he returns for the funeral of a friend who partied with him in his senior year. Haunted by the guilt he doesn't want anything to do with anyone in that town. Everyone knew he was back and most had read his autobiography of his time back then. Will was hoping he wouldn't see Alex. He had read the book with hardly a mention, his best friend after all!!! But Alex comes into the store that Will owned and the two face off. Being truthful, Alex had to rectify the absence of Will in his book. He gives Will the thumb drive with his original manuscript that has Will throughout. Is there a chance once again for the two of them to be together. Soulmates from the beginning... Can there be a second chance after their rocky beginnings? Loved this story. In true Hayden Hunt form this was a great Read!!❤️
January 22, 2017
Hayden Hunt has written another great story! This is an emotional story about two men who were best friends as boys. Alex had a lot of problems, dealing with his homophobic parents and life in general and he eventually turned to drugs and alcohol. As his life spiraled out of control, his friend Will quit having anything to do with him, even though he loved him. Ten years later, Alex, now a best-selling author, comes back to his hometown for the funeral of another friend and Alex and Will have to face each other after years of being apart. Will didn't think that Alex loved him as much as he loved Alex. Will is also hurt, because he thought they were best friends back then and Alex barely mentioned him in his book. Once they come face to face and Alex gives Will a copy of his original manuscript, Will sees how Alex really felt. Now that they have cleared the air between them, hopefully they can have a second chance at love! This book is a definite must read! It touches on many social issues and makes the reader really think and reflect back on their own lives. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
January 21, 2017
What a lovely story of two guys who were best friends until their last year in high school. One choose to use drugs and alcohol to hide his pain and refusal to accept he was gay. One refused to watch their friend go down that road and ended the friendship. When the death of an old friend brings Alex back to his hometown the one thing he does not want to do is see Will. After Will hears that Alex is back in town, he does everything he can to avoid seeing him. Finally needing to get out of the hotel room, Alex goes to the grocery store only to bump into the one person he wasn't ready to see. These two men have a history and a relationship worth repairing if they can just get over the past. Love is always rocky and these two will soon find that it was worth every bit of that bumpy road to find one another again.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
January 16, 2017
You have to read this book!! Hayden Hunt is one of my favourite authors and this is an amazing book. The characters are captivating and you will be lost in their world. Alex and Will have known each other for years but after a break in their friendship they haven't seen each other for years. They meet again and all the emotions of the past come flooding back. There are times you want to hold these men and squeeze them and times you want to shake them! I have smiled, bitten my lip and cried throughout this book and it's been amazing. This book is full of emotion and you won't be able to put it down!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book and I'm so glad I did it was wonderful! You will love it too!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book and I'm so glad I did it was wonderful! You will love it too!
January 21, 2017
In Rocky we meet Alex a succesful author who is returning to his home town for the funeral of an old friend. He is full of guilt because Tyler his friend died from a drug overdose which although they hadn't met for years, he still feels responsible for.
On returning he meets Will again who was and still is the love of his life and we follow their story and their hopes to find their path back to each other.
This was such a lovely story, the characters are wonderfully described and the book beautifully written.
Hayden has already become one of my favourite authors.
I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review.
On returning he meets Will again who was and still is the love of his life and we follow their story and their hopes to find their path back to each other.
This was such a lovely story, the characters are wonderfully described and the book beautifully written.
Hayden has already become one of my favourite authors.
I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review.
February 2, 2017
3.5 stars.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
This was an emotional book dealing with addiction. I think that some opportunities were missed though with developing the storyline.
But this is more of a romantic read rather than an in-depth antsy book.
The story is well written and flows well. There are some deep emotional moments in the book but as I have said I think it could have gone deeper.
But I did enjoy this story and this author is becoming one I like to read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
This was an emotional book dealing with addiction. I think that some opportunities were missed though with developing the storyline.
But this is more of a romantic read rather than an in-depth antsy book.
The story is well written and flows well. There are some deep emotional moments in the book but as I have said I think it could have gone deeper.
But I did enjoy this story and this author is becoming one I like to read.
January 23, 2017
I started off really enjoying this, but somehow, along the way, I lost the passion in this story.
The book flowed easily up to the point that Will and Alex became reacquainted, but once they were trying to be friends again (and more) somehow I wasn't convinced by the emotions of either of them, and it all felt a bit shallow. Sorry.
The book flowed easily up to the point that Will and Alex became reacquainted, but once they were trying to be friends again (and more) somehow I wasn't convinced by the emotions of either of them, and it all felt a bit shallow. Sorry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2017
2.5 stars. M/M. Very sweet 2nd chance romance but it was just too sweet and too simple for me. And, the book ended at 60% and so then there was something else to read that I wasn't interested in (I am beginning to really despise this in my Kindle books -- if its a novella so be it but let me know ahead of time).
January 29, 2017
I loved the characters. Will and Alex were two characters that pulled on my heartstrings. I felt so bad for them. Two friends separated by time and misunderstanding. I wanted to make things better for them from the beginning. I think that this book was well written and I think that it captures you in it. You do not want to put it down.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2017
3.5 stars. Very enjoyable friends to lovers story. Loved the epilogue.
April 28, 2017
M/M contemporary childhood friends find love after being apart for a while plot line.
Two best friends fall apart senior year of high school because Will becomes a drug addict and Tyler tries to stop him, but finally has to step away from the train wreck that is Will's life, their story is put on hold until many years later when Will is clean and sober and comes to town to the funeral of one of his drug buddies.
Tyler is sweet and good and boring. Will is crazy and has so much baggage, but loves Tyler with his whole being so he is interesting for the both of them. I have met couples like this in the past and it works and this story felt true. The author deals with the addiction aspect with respect.
This was an okay story, but I'm not interested in finding any more of it although there was a chapter of the next book that continues Will and Tyler's story.
204 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
Two best friends fall apart senior year of high school because Will becomes a drug addict and Tyler tries to stop him, but finally has to step away from the train wreck that is Will's life, their story is put on hold until many years later when Will is clean and sober and comes to town to the funeral of one of his drug buddies.
Tyler is sweet and good and boring. Will is crazy and has so much baggage, but loves Tyler with his whole being so he is interesting for the both of them. I have met couples like this in the past and it works and this story felt true. The author deals with the addiction aspect with respect.
This was an okay story, but I'm not interested in finding any more of it although there was a chapter of the next book that continues Will and Tyler's story.
204 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
not-deserve-my-time-my-money
June 28, 2018Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews