Prendere o lasciare

Toronto Tales #3

by K.C. Burn, Veronica Zana (Translator)

Storie di Toronto, Libro 3

Il trentacinquenne Rick Haviland è un logopedista rispettato, ma mentre i suoi amici si stanno tutti accasando, lui rifiuta di rinunciare alla sua vita fatta di notti in discoteca e sesso senza impegno. Per lui le relazioni sono pericolose, perché ha un segreto da nascondere. Quando incontra Ian O’Donnell, responsabile commerciale di un sito sensazionalistico specializzato in scandali, Rick crede che le sue regole personali riguardo alle relazioni basteranno a proteggerlo da qualcosa di più dell’avventura di una notte.

Quando Ian fa coming out, stanco del sesso anonimo e di nascondere segreti alla sua numerosa famiglia cattolica, Rick è proprio lì, ed è proprio il tipo d’uomo che a Ian piacerebbe conoscere meglio. La loro attrazione è immediata, irresistibile e reciproca. Ian convince Rick a infrangere sempre di più le sue regole, fino a far crollare le sue difese. Ma qualcuno osserva, qualcuno che desidera il fallimento di questa nuova relazione. Quando il lavoro di Ian diventa un mezzo per svelare il segreto di Rick, le loro carriere e i loro cuori rischiano di uscirne distrutti.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Audiobook, LGBT, Contemporary Romance, Gay

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 3, 2013

Reviews

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS]

Dnf @ 86%
I should have stopped with book 1.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 2 out of 5]

**2.5 stars**

I'm beginning to think Cop Out was a fluke. I loved that book and was SO excited to read all the others in the series. Sadly, neither of the two other books lived up to the first.

I'll start with the positives. I have a thing for the audiobook narrator for this series, Tristan James, and his wide range of voices. Though he was slightly off his game in this book (kind of lacking emotion), I still enjoyed his take on this story. I also liked re-visiting the Toronto Tales world, seeing the MCs from the first in the series, and seeing Ian's big family again. It felt sweet to me, like coming home.

I think that the story was pleasant enough, with lots of potential, but it had some missteps that made my rating go way down.

First of all, I hated the whole "mystery" element. It was dumb and, in the end, really made light of a serious series of criminal acts. It also came out of left field, and I was left with more than a few questions about logistics and motivations. I won't say much more because I don't want to give away spoilers, but it just didn't work for me.

Aside from that, I wasn't feeling Rick and Ian together. I'm all for slow burn romances (they are my favorite) but this book dragged on and on for me. It took forever for anything real to happen between the two MCs, and I was a bit bored, to be honest. I thought that all of Rick's hangups were irritating, and I know he was supposed to be a sympathetic character but I didn't really "get" him. In reality, I really felt bad for Ian for having to maneuver through all of Rick's crap.

Though it wasn't a bad story, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I was expecting to. Rick was too immature and Ian was too "blah" for me to get emotionally connected.

*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Vero · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sappy, unsexy, over-dramatic with unlikable MCs

The MCs were probably my biggest problem with this novel:

Rick: still playing the party boy on the "wrong side of 35" - really? This is just pathetic. Not colourful or enchanting. Just annoying and a little embarrassing. Like his no kissing rule and all his commitment issues.
His backstory is probably supposed to give it drama and him depth (and an explanation to make his lifestyle acceptable - just for clarification: I don't judge anybody in real life for his choices. Whatever rocks your boat, be it being a virgin on your wedding night or one-nighters every other night - it just didn't work for me in this story for this character. Especially mixed with the whole family drama/tragedy in his past - I guess it was suppsed to "explain" his relationship angst. It doesn't. Not in the least. I would have liked him more for being a real slut for the joy of it - not someone who is repressed). The drama itself - NO!
The murder of his father and his mother's mental illness were thrown into the story very carelessly

I wish authors would stay away from such traumatic things if they didn't plan to make them vital to the story. This is not an appropriate plot tool!

Ian: The former closeted player who after a two-minute-number with Rick thinks that this was the best sex he ever had. He has a two-minute-one-night stand with a total stranger and this is so electric that he can't forget and let go. Well.
He is hot and that's the most impressive thing about him. He remained pale and uninteresting through this whole book.

And with a unbelievably unoriginal drama in the last quarter which brings a crazy stalker
(wow, the culprit is not the suspicious Ex of Rick, but the only other possible one, the harmless looking kid who has a crush on Ian...)

Also, just for the record: If you just started a relationship, say some weeks before, you are in your thirties - why the hell is it a MUST that your partner/boyfriend/date meets your whole family? The split up over this is so ridiculous - and totally out of the blue. Ian pretended to be so understanding of Rick's hard life and family history. And then he breaks up with him, because he doesn't want to come to Ian's sister's wedding??? WTF?

The plot was not really convincing, the MCs a pair of totally uninteresting pale stereotypes, the drama OTT and unbelievable - so the whole left me detached and bored.

[Heller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the read. I got my fix of earlier characters and got to know Ian and Rick a bit more and I had been looking forward to seeing how these two men would get along. Player vs player. Definitely different from what I expecting. A bit of retcon of Rick in the first pages that gave him a bit more layers, not a bad thing but not really needed for me. This was surprisingly a lot more of an emotional story, maybe a bit too much tears for my mood but not off-putting just more angsty than I was prepared for when I started the read. I'm looking forward to Jon's story, I hope we get it.

[Macky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Toronto tales by K C Burn have been a series I've followed and enjoyed very much, the last ending with Ian, Kurt's brother, coming out to him at his and Davy's house, leaving us with the impression that he and Davy's friend Rick where more than a little enamoured of each other so it was pretty obvious that they were going to be the MC's of book three.

I liked the pairing of these two and the chemistry and ST they generated. Nice bit of push and pull between relationship phobic Rick and newly outed Ian and the conflict was once again just angsty enough to stop the story from being too flat but not too overplayed to make it feel like you're in OMG WTF! soap opera territory. Mind you there is a stalker element running in the background that I wished had played out a bit differently. It wasn't hard to guess who the culprit was and considering how it nearly destroyed not only the growing relationship and their careers, I was surprised at how mildly it was handled at the end of the story but the story is what it is and overall I liked what I read so what the hell!

I'm wondering now if there's any more tales to come from Toronto or wether its just going to be a trilogy? If another does appear in the future I would be very happy to add it to the other three... Perhaps ex stripper Jon might get his story told. I certainly wouldn't be averse to reading that one! ;)

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this nearly as much as Cop Out, but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting given some of the reviews I read prior to reading the book.

I liked the double rehabilitated manwhore aspect to the story (not sure I've seen that before), and, while I have the best role models for a healthy, loving relationship ever in my parents (who've been together nearly 50 years), I could totally relate to Rick's commitmentphobic ways.

So... *shrugs* Not exactly memorable, but an okay way to pass a few hours.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was certainly better than Cover Up, but still just ok. For the most part the story was good and not as unbelievable as one might think. There are moments like with Avery and Leon and the article that are eye squinting but not too bad. It's unfortunate that the plot couldn't seem to avoid classic dramafest situations: stalking; secrets threatening to be revealed; partners claiming patience with telling the family about them but that patience doesn't last long; misunderstandings and conclusion jumping. Yep, sometimes things like those work, and sometimes not. It was little much for me, here, and yet this wasn't a terrible story. I liked Rick as a whole and enjoyed reading his story. 3 "squeaked by" stars.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we could see in the first book, Ian's and Kurt's family... (they’re brothers) ... is supportive and accepting, always ready to give advice. . .So why can’t these two guys just admit that they are in love and get on with it? .Are all men born with a stubborn gene that would put a mule to shame??? The characters are mature adults in a genre where relationships can occasionally seem a bit shallow. I really like the way this author can write a fascinating story about people who actually develop their relationship and spend time getting to know each other...but somehow there is always a fly in the ointment. Thus far all these stories do have a “happily ever after” ending. It just takes a while to get there. Quit wasting time guys.

[M/M e dintorni, l'altro lato del romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STELLINE E MEZZA
Qui la mia recensione:
http://mmedintorni.blogspot.it/2017/0...

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cast Off is the third book in the Toronto Tales series, and I still think that number one Cop Out is my favourite. Although this one is still a nice addition to the series.

The story is about characters we have met in the previous books. Ian is finally following in his brother's foot steps and coming out. He falls for Rick but Rick is totally adverse to commitment.

The story follows Ian as he comes to terms with his sexuality and breaks the news to his family. And we see the relationship face its challenges due to Rick's fears. But Rick finally accepts that being in love with Ian and being part of a couple is worth it.

I liked both characters but interestingly found them to appear younger than the ages given in the book. Rick particularly doesn't behave like a 35 year old speech pathologist, he seems much younger. I am not sure why I felt that but really it doesn't even matter.

There is a good blend of sexy moments and romantic drama with some more lighthearted parts.

Rated a 3 standalone but 3.5 stars for those enjoying the series.

I now publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!

[Susan65 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series. I especially liked Kurt in book one, and was happy to have his brother Ian featured in this story. Kurt and Ian really have a great family and one can only hope that there are real families like that in the world.

Ian and Rick don't have a very easy time of it. There are hidden pasts and secrets that could tear them apart before they even begin. However, it was worth going through that painful period to see them together. They are a match made in heaven and these two guys were worthy of their HEA.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

And this brings my fun times with Tristan James and the men of K.C. Burns 'Toronto Tales' to a close...for now. It's been some fun hours and while I've enjoyed all three of these stories it's time to move on to other stories but...I'll be back because Tristan James, Toronto and awesome stories about hot men falling in love...how could I possibly stay away?

[Salsera1974 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really, this is more of a 3.5. Cast Off returns us to the world of the O'Donnell clan, who we first met in Cop Out. This time, we are focusing on Ian O'Donnell (Kurt's older brother from Cop Out) and Rick Haviland (one of Davy's best friends, also from Cop Out). Ian and Rick are immediately attracted to each other when they meet at Kurt and Davy's painting party (which we saw at the end of Cop Out), but due to some of Rick's long-standing intimacy issues, they move slowly into a relationship, first becoming friends, and very tentatively becoming lovers. There are, of course, some obstacles along the way, including a fairly obvious stalker and a big misunderstanding that is agreeably fixed with a quick conversation. This is a pleasant read, especially if you aren't bothered by the stereotypically huge, rollicking, extremely loving Irish-Catholic family, and if you have kept up with the series. Having said that, you do not have to read Cop Out in order to appreciate this novel -- it easily stands alone -- but the depth of your enjoyment will increase if you have done so.

[Trio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good, I liked the characters in this one and I think it was the best plot of the three books.

Tristan James' narration was stellar!

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 4 out of 5]

A review by The Blogger Girls.

I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while, since I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and remember seeing these guys make appearances throughout them.

Rick has not been my favorite character thus far. He seems a bit flighty and out there, but we learn there is so much more to him and the reasons for him being the way he is. Basically, he has put rules in place for himself where relationships are concerned, all of which are geared toward him not actually having one. He allows himself to have f-buddies, but as soon as he feels them wanting more, he moves on. Then, he meets Kurt’s brother, Ian.

Ian has had some issues as well mostly due to his own coming out after the big way Kurt made his own happen. Now that he has though, he’s looking for something more than the one nighters and meaningless hookups he’s allowed himself thus far. He wants that with Rick but it is quite a challenge to overcome Rick’s skittishness about the whole deal. Ian is strong and patient though, and just perfect for Rick.

They go round and round a bit, and there are some stalker issues they must deal with as well, all somewhat connected to Rick’s past. This story moved along nicely though, even if some of the situations were maybe a bit annoying or unbelievable. It was difficult to not feel for Rick after hearing about his past, and I warmed up to him much more after that. I loved watching him learn to trust Ian and come out of his shell.

Ian’s family is fantastic and supportive, and there were many really sweet moments with them involved.

I’m not sure if this is the end of the Toronto Tales or not, but I’d definitely be up for another story if one comes about. I loved Rick’s bff, Jon, so I’m hoping there’s a story for him.

[Elyxyz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Il primo libro di questa serie mi era piaciuto davvero tanto, ma questo non è da meno.
Ripartendo esattamente dove ci aveva lasciati, è stato piacevole capire il punto di vista di Ian, che ha un tormento interiore diverso rispetto al fratello, ma che vuole smettere di nascondere la propria omosessualità, vissuta per quasi vent’anni in clandestinità. Ian vuole innamorarsi, avere una relazione, vivere liberamente, anche se non sa come fare, perché ha sempre collezionato anonimi incontri da una botta e via.
Rick, all’apparenza scanzonato e senza problemi, sembrerebbe il suo esatto opposto: allergico alle relazioni, alle aspettative, ai legami, a tutto quello che non rientri nel decalogo di regole che si è imposto di seguire. Eppure, quando incontra Ian, le rispettive idee vanno a farsi benedire, così come i buoni propositi, e la passione e l’intesa dilagano, ma non sarà un rapporto semplice e ci sarà parecchio da penare.
Ho amato la caratterizzazione dei protagonisti, tutto quello che si nasconde sotto una patina di apparenza, ma che sotto sotto ha molto spessore; ho apprezzato che il loro valzer emozionale sia credibile, con qualche spinta e qualche retromarcia. Il passato di Rick va affrontato e Ian è decisamente l’uomo giusto per lui, ma ogni cosa a suo tempo e la fiducia va costruita.
Ottimi i personaggi secondari, Kurt e Davy, ma anche Jon e la famiglia di Ian: tutti insieme impreziosiscono la trama.
Personalmente, ho apprezzato anche la spruzzata di giallo per movimentare un po’ questo romance. L’impressione generale è ottima e anche la resa italiana è davvero piacevole e curata.

[♥ Rebecca ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my least favourite of the series. I didnt really like Rick that much. He was not my kind of guy at all, and I found his relationship with Ian very weird and complicated, as was Ivan and Parker's relationship. Book 1 was the best and I was expecting the rest of the series to be the same but the proceeding two books were just ok. I found it so strange the one day Ian takes Leon as his date and the very next day he takes Rick as his date and his family doesnt think it is strange. I know he had his reasons, and Leon turned out to be a little crazy, but Ian was a bit all over the place and not very assertive. It just felt so strange for Rick to suddenly be introduced as his boyfriend and everyone just smiles. And I also found it strange that everyone kept commenting on the age difference between Ian and Leon, when the gap was the same or less than Ivan and Parker.

[DaisyGirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.0 Stars

This book irked me. Granted, I was especially pissy this weekend because I was battling a cold and had a bad case of cabin fever. But regardless, Rick came across as a prissy shit. Ian held promise but alas, pining after someone who doesn't want you is so unattractive to me.

"He wasn't entirely convinced it was just sex for him but Rick was already skittish enough. Ian wasn't going to admit he was interested in more if it was only going to make Rick bolt. But there was something about Rick's obvious fear of commitment that attracted Ian."

*gag* Nuff said.

Bottom line: Slowly falling out of love with this series. *sniffle*

[Lorenzo Adduci · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Prendere o lasciare” conclude questa bellissima serie mostrandoci la relazione tra Ian O’Donnell, fratello di Kurt, e Rick Haviland, uno dei migliori amici di Davy. La narrazione inizia proprio laddove si era concluso il primo volume, “Dentro o fuori”, durante una riunione tra amici a casa di Kurt e Davy.
Ian ha sempre nascosto la propria sessualità. Già da adolescente aveva capito di essere gay, ma temeva la reazione negativa dei propri genitori o il rifiuto da parte dei propri amici; per questo aveva iniziato a fingere di mostrare interesse per le ragazze, dando sfogo ai propri bisogni di nascosto attraverso incontri occasionali in locali o discoteche, sempre accompagnato dal timore di essere scoperto. Tutto questo fino a quando il coming out di Kurt, dopo un primo momento di rabbia e smarrimento, non lo spinge a uscire fuori dall’armadio e ad aprirsi con suo fratello: «La paranoia era diventata una forza totalizzante nella sua vita, e per quanto impaziente fosse di liberarsene, provava anche un’inspiegabile tristezza all’idea. La sua vita stava cambiando – sperava per il meglio – ma il senso di colpa e la paura erano stati suoi compagni costanti per almeno due decenni e immaginava che gli sarebbero mancati. Almeno per qualche istante».
Dopo aver incontrato a casa di Kurt l’esuberante e sensuale Rick, con cui trascorre lunghi momenti di intensa passione, finalmente tra le mura del suo appartamento, Ian si convince sempre di più che la sua vita deve cambiare e che la sua sessualità deve essere vissuta allo scoperto, non attraverso rapporti occasionali, ma con qualcuno al proprio fianco: «Fino a quel momento, Ian non si era permesso di sperare veramente che ci fosse qualcuno là fuori per lui. Ma come avrebbe fatto a perdere l’abitudine di anni?».
Il suo coming out in famiglia è uno dei momenti più emozionanti del romanzo, una rivelazione che vede uno Ian teso e nervoso fino a quando non realizza finalmente di avere due genitori che lo amano incondizionatamente, a prescindere dalla sua sessualità, scoprendo di avere, oltretutto, come madre un’abile dispensatrice di consigli sentimentali: «Vorrei che ti fossi fidato abbastanza di noi per dircelo prima. Odio pensare che hai passato così tanto tempo preoccupandoti che il nostro amore avesse delle condizioni. Ma non le ha e non le avrà mai».
“Prendere o lasciare” è un romanzo che ho amato molto, quasi quanto il primo di questa serie, soprattutto per il modo con cui l’autrice, con la sua consueta scrittura precisa e brillante, ha delineato i due protagonisti e il loro percorso emotivo.
Per Ian si prospetta per la prima volta l’occasione di sperimentare la sua capacità di avere una relazione, di impegnarsi a realizzare gradualmente un rapporto serio e stabile, un obiettivo che il ragazzo vuole raggiungere con tutte le sue forze assieme a Rick, da cui si sente inevitabilmente attratto. Rick, a sua volta, deve trovare un modo per combattere la sua ritrosia nei confronti dei rapporti sentimentali e non farsi travolgere dai fantasmi del passato, e forse Ian potrebbe dargli finalmente gli stimoli giusti per ottenere tutto questo.
Per Ian e Rick ovviamente le cose si rivelano abbastanza complicate. Ammetto di aver ammirato molto il modo con cui è emersa la pazienza e la tenacia di Ian nell’inseguire uno sfuggente Rick per costruire con lui un rapporto di amicizia e fiducia, oltre che di passione, un legame da cui scaturiscono ben presto sentimenti che fanno cedere le barriere di Rick e le sue infinite regole: «Il primo tocco delle loro labbra fu leggero, morbido e dolce. Ian ebbe un istante per deliziarsi del fatto che Rick non si stava scansando, non lo stava rimproverando di infrangere una delle sue regole, non si stava comportando come un gatto in trappola. Poi smise di pensare a tutto eccetto la bocca, le labbra e la lingua di Rick e dove quel bacio potesse portarli. Baciare non era mai sembrato tanto vitale per la sua esistenza quanto sembrava in quel momento».
“Prendere o lasciare” è, quindi, una degna conclusione di questa serie particolare ambientata a Toronto, con un lieto fine emozionante, seppure conquistato con fatica, in cui entrano in gioco le professioni di Ian (responsabile commerciale di un sito dedicato a notizie di gossip) e Rick (affermato logopedista) e attraverso cui l’autrice lancia un bel messaggio sui rischi di un cattivo uso dei social: «Nessuno di loro sembrava preoccuparsi mai di quello che postava, di chi avrebbe potuto vederlo, o di come avrebbe influenzato le loro occasioni lavorative, e nemmeno della salute mentale delle persone le cui fotografie venivano diffuse senza consenso».

[LiveYourLife BuyTheBook · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review

I have to say this one didn’t capture the strong emotion of the first book in this series for me. Not every book needs that kind of heaviness and the guys had their own issues. This was a much lighter read with some humor, fun characters and cameos from favorites of the previous books.

Rick doesn’t do commitments. Ever. He has a roster of guys he screws until they get too serious or find the one they’re meant to be with. Rick doesn’t do keepers, which he considers any guy he thinks will eventually want more than sex from him. It’s just too messy to get feelings involved. He has his reasons for his rules. So when Rick meets Ian, Kurt’s big brother, at a party it should be just another hot hook up and possible addition to his rotation of men, but he finds himself breaking his rules just to get a little more of Ian.

Ian has known he’s gay since he’s fifteen. Which is why he ran out after Kurt outed himself to his family in Cop Out. Ian had built it up to be this big thing most of his life. Lived in secret afraid of what everyone would say and Kurt coming out was kind of anticlimactic. Never had a relationship that didn’t involve getting off in the bathroom or back ally of a club with a stranger. Now he thinks he’s ready to change his life. Right about the time he meets Rick. Ian and Rick have an intense and immediate attraction. They spend the night together having amazing sex but Rick sneaks out before Ian wakes up nipping anything else that may have been off. Ian’s not happy about it but he sees Rick at a club one night and the desire is too strong for either man to resist. This starts a very fragile attempt at friends with benefits. Ian convinces Rick that they should become friends before they sleep together again, creating some nice tension and conflict.

Ian ends up falling for Rick. Rick won’t admit his feelings and in fact won’t even discuss anything having to do with a relationship. Rick’s past just may cause him to his back on the one who will love him despite his past and all his issues. Ian is determined to be with Rick but Rick won’t make it easy. Since Ian hasn’t ever been in a relationship either both men just have to take their cues from each other and hope they both get the happiness they want.

This was a pretty good read for the most part. I liked Rick and Ian. Their sex was hot and the chemistry between them was good. There was quite a bit angst in this book. When will Rick give into his feelings for Ian became a repetitive theme throughout the book. The stalker stuff didn’t work for me at all. It was probably my least favorite part of the book. Who the hell ignores dead squirrels and slashed tires? Those aren’t silly teenage pranks. I guess I can make a point that Rick was living in his own little bubble and he just didn’t want to disrupt it.

Overall I’d say this was high angst sexy read with some laughs. If you liked the others in the series you will probably want to pick this one up. It can be read as a stand alone if you don’t mind not knowing the full backstory of Kurt and Davy, but I HIGHLY recommend reading that one.

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: This audiobook was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.

The winning combination of MCs Rick and Ian delivered in the smooth, sexy voice of Tristan James pulled this one up from the ratings depths I wallowed in after the last book in this series, Cover Up. I enjoyed this one so much more, in large part due to Mr. James’s narration.

Rick Haviland is a 35-year-old party boy who doesn’t believe in relationships. But does believe in friendship and is helping his good friend Davy and his partner Kurt (Cop Out) paint their home, when Kurt’s brother, Ian O'Donnell, shows up and sends his libido up in flames. Ian has actually come to apologize to Kurt for behaving badly when Kurt came out to the family and to explain that it was partly due to the fact that he is gay as well. That’s about all Rick has to hear to give himself the okay to act out a fantasy or two with Ian once they are done painting. Later that week, when the two get together a second time, Rick can’t believe his own behavior because he just doesn’t have repeats unless the other guy has agreed to be on his “rotation”, so the next item on his agenda is to add Ian to his list.

But Ian wants more than that; he wants permanence, and he suspects that he’s going to have to take a different approach to Rick if he hopes to someday reach his goal. He proposes friendship as the first step to “friends with benefits” and appears to be successful when the two finally reach the stage where the friendship is solid enough to allow their passion for each other to send them back to bed. The thing is that both are really in deeper than they want to be, and Ian is very interested in going further with Rick. He wants Rick to meet his family despite Rick’s panic at any sign of commitment.

Unfortunately, there are major secrets in Rick’s past and the way they come unraveled is due in part to Ian’s work at an online news rag. Someone has not only dug up Rick’s secrets, but also sent along explicit pictures of Rick and Ian in support of the news story that’s now about to break.

It’s time for Rick to own up to the past and it’s time for Ian to face what he wants and needs. Both men need to be honest with each other if they have any hope of a future together.

I liked this story, even more so once Rick’s past was revealed, and his behaviors were seen in a new light. Ian was sexy, smart and sweet with a deep and abiding passion for family. The secondary characters, especially Ian’s mother, were brilliantly portrayed by the narrator.

3.5 stars: 3 for the story and the extra .5 for the terrific narration. Recommend to those who like a family-based, HEA guaranteed, M/M romance.

[LauraSt · Rating 3 out of 5]

*sighs* what can i say... I had to finish this series, specially when i saw this last book was about Rick -Davy's and Ivan's friend from Cop Out and Cover Up- and Kurt's brother, Ian, I just had to know what happened.

So we have 35yr old Rick Haviland, he's a speech pathologist and an eternal bachelor, he doesnt care that all his friends are getting into serious relationships, he refuses to give up his rotation of men. But isnt because he wants to be alone, but because he has a dark secret that wont let him just let go or fall in love. When he meets Ian O'Donnell, Kurt's brother and an account manager with a local tabloid, he's sure his rules will let him enjoy the sexy just-out-of-the-closet man.

The older he got, the harder it was to find appropriate guys to put into rotation and now he was going to be left in the unfortunate position of… auditioning. He should probably be more enthused, but mostly he was resenting.

But even if Ian is following the rules, he's determined to catch and keep the man he cant get enough of. When he suggest a harmless friendship Rick jumps with the idea but as they get to know each other more and more things start getting complicated. And of course we have the weirdo stalker trying to ruin their relationship, because all books need one of those.

Sexy story, and dumb apparently clueless and completely with zero survival skills men.



it was mehh really. But im glad im done with this.



Im giving it three stars just because I loved Ian and Kurt's family SO MUCH! And this line...

Strangely, he wasn’t ready to use another man to erase the memories of Ian just yet. It had been a long time since he’d felt so stretched and satiated that he wanted to savor the feeling for a little longer.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t read the others in the series, but I’ve had my own on this author and this series for awhile. The main reason was because it’s called Toronto Tales and I wanted to see how the author portrayed my city. Also, I’m always looking for new M/M series to love.

Unfortunately, this book didn’t exactly shine for me. I enjoyed it, but I won’t think I would reread or recommend to anyone right away. I found that I enjoyed the author’s writing style but for me, the chemistry between Rick and Ian never really took off. It simmered with its frequent sex scenes and instant arousal, but I was looking for something more and never got it.

I think this is in part because I never really connected with Rick or Ian’s character. I don’t know why, but not once did I come to care about the characters and that really irked me about the book. They didn’t really feel particularly likeable at first glance and when you continued to read, it wasn’t until the end that their connection is made. And that, for me is a little too late.

*ARC provided by publisher

[Papie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This was just ok. It kept my interest, and I liked Rick and Ian together, but the drama was OTT and unbelievable. There was just too much going on. And so many weird things.

In a random order:
- Why would Ian act so possessive and jealous after fucking twice?
- Why did Ian insist on Rick meeting his family so soon?
- What’s up with Rick being scared of mothers? He is an SLP, he deals with mothers every day! I understand his childhood trauma, but it was oversimplified in the story.
- How could Oscar think they were in a relationship when they had never kissed?
- Why is Leon getting away with only a stern speech? He is not a child, FFS!

I’m sure there is more that I am forgetting. I skipped the second book because the reviews are awful, but this was disappointing. Even the sex was unsatisfying. I’m still annoyed that we got teased about a rimming scene, to then skip right over it. Not fair! 😜

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cast Off is the third part of the Toronto Tales series and it’s about Rick and Ian we know from the previous books. It’s an entertaining read with quite a bit angst, the MCs are a cute couple even though neither of them know how to build a relationship. They are both so clueless, you can’t not fall in love with them.

If you’ve read and liked the first two books you will like this one, too. All in all, a nice addition to the series.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to the series. This one centers on Rick and Ian, brother and friend to the other couples in the series. Rick's your standard slutty club guy and Ian's, well, kind of the same only secretly since he was still in the closet. Rick is so screwed up that I couldn't help but love the bastard. Great story, excellent couple. The sex could have been a bit spicier IMO. :)

[Limor Moyal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet but not as good as the first installment (what Leon did and the fact that he just admitted everything like a five years old was kinda unrealistic)

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up to 3. A bit too convoluted, a bit too long.

[⚣Michaelle⚣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1 Stars

[Anna D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Not a literary gem, but a truly lovely guilty pleasure read. Full review to follow