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Torque
Sometimes letting things get complicated is the best way to figure it all out.
Mick Randall is on the run, from the biker culture he grew up in and his impossible vision of love. Alaska should be far enough to escape his old life—until he rolls into a wrecking yard and gets lost in a pair of pale, bottle-green eyes.
Scotty Bell has spent years learning to channel his fiery temper into the heat of a welding torch. His sexual heat has always been slower to ignite, but one look at Mick rouses confusion alongside desire. In all his life, he’s only been attracted to one other person—his best friend, Mercy Taylor.
Mick lands a temporary job at the yard, and finds an uneasy crash pad at Scotty’s place, where the ragged ends of his emotions get tangled up in Scotty and Mercy’s relationship.
But when Mick hears a Harley engine from his past bearing down on him, his first instinct is to go back to the half-life he’d been living, lest his secrets destroy the only two people who’ve ever made him feel whole.
Warning: Contains references to abuse, subversive ideas about sexual identity and gender expression, and a free-range bisexual on a mission.
This is the Second Edition of a story previously published under the pen name Charley Descoteaux. Content has not been
updated.
Mick Randall is on the run, from the biker culture he grew up in and his impossible vision of love. Alaska should be far enough to escape his old life—until he rolls into a wrecking yard and gets lost in a pair of pale, bottle-green eyes.
Scotty Bell has spent years learning to channel his fiery temper into the heat of a welding torch. His sexual heat has always been slower to ignite, but one look at Mick rouses confusion alongside desire. In all his life, he’s only been attracted to one other person—his best friend, Mercy Taylor.
Mick lands a temporary job at the yard, and finds an uneasy crash pad at Scotty’s place, where the ragged ends of his emotions get tangled up in Scotty and Mercy’s relationship.
But when Mick hears a Harley engine from his past bearing down on him, his first instinct is to go back to the half-life he’d been living, lest his secrets destroy the only two people who’ve ever made him feel whole.
Warning: Contains references to abuse, subversive ideas about sexual identity and gender expression, and a free-range bisexual on a mission.
This is the Second Edition of a story previously published under the pen name Charley Descoteaux. Content has not been
updated.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2016
34 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 18, 2015
1 star. DNF @60%. Review posted December 18, 2015
Torque joins the ranks of plenty of other shockingly weak books I've been reading this year. I'm not desperate yet, but instead of salivating over a delicious and rich meal--meaning an outstanding book--it looks like I have to content myself with small crumbs. Seems to me that I'm slowly starving myself to death when it comes to books. Well, I'm experiencing some first aid when I'm lucky enough to read a good one in between.
I haven't much to say about Torque. The premise looked interesting and I would really love to read more cross-gender books. However, when subversive ideas about sexual identity and gender expression are limited to ogling dicks and boobs, indulge in lust in general and sex in particular, mixed up with a bit of violence, then I'm not even sorry to say that I expect so much more. So while the author's intent might have been good, the execution fell totally flat and bored me to tears. There was really nothing to it that would have drawn me to the characters or plot. Speaking of plot…what plot exactly?
With all due respect, but a guy on his way to Alaska who ends up in a wrecking yard and salivates over a couple guys and/or women and engages in sexual activities is a very thin plot. The added violence doesn't enhance the lack of a substantial storyline or characterization in any way. Thus, when there is no good plot or appealing characterizations, you can see me losing interest fast.
Mercy And let's not forget how soft she is because that's been repeated numerous times. Also, she obviously has a few abusive, misogynistic and homophobic brothers She also enjoys to fuck around; Scotty and Mercy are good friends and fuck buddies but not exclusive at all. Sadly, that's the extent of her characterization.
Add in the bad and poorly written smexy bits and I had no choice but to wave the white flag. I think that a lack of chemistry and sexual tension will, ultimately, lead to a total fail of the entire buildup, provided there is one in the first place. And Scotty's thought of having Mercy and Mick collectively in his bed came out of the blue. What was his motivation? He likes to fuck, so let's add another party to it, or what? I still believe in sizzling hot instant attraction, but the author has to write palpable chemistry. I want authors to make me feel it. The protags here, however, didn't have any of that.
I know I have experienced the I-got-used-to-subpar-books-and-will-keep-on-smiling feeling so many times already, yet it's still very disheartening to be picking books up that let me down time and again. After I read the first quarter of Torque, I was wondering what the purpose of this book is. I don't have an answer for you. If you want one, then I suggest you read it.
**ARC courtesy of Samhain via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Torque joins the ranks of plenty of other shockingly weak books I've been reading this year. I'm not desperate yet, but instead of salivating over a delicious and rich meal--meaning an outstanding book--it looks like I have to content myself with small crumbs. Seems to me that I'm slowly starving myself to death when it comes to books. Well, I'm experiencing some first aid when I'm lucky enough to read a good one in between.
I haven't much to say about Torque. The premise looked interesting and I would really love to read more cross-gender books. However, when subversive ideas about sexual identity and gender expression are limited to ogling dicks and boobs, indulge in lust in general and sex in particular, mixed up with a bit of violence, then I'm not even sorry to say that I expect so much more. So while the author's intent might have been good, the execution fell totally flat and bored me to tears. There was really nothing to it that would have drawn me to the characters or plot. Speaking of plot…what plot exactly?
With all due respect, but a guy on his way to Alaska who ends up in a wrecking yard and salivates over a couple guys and/or women and engages in sexual activities is a very thin plot. The added violence doesn't enhance the lack of a substantial storyline or characterization in any way. Thus, when there is no good plot or appealing characterizations, you can see me losing interest fast.
Mercy And let's not forget how soft she is because that's been repeated numerous times. Also, she obviously has a few abusive, misogynistic and homophobic brothers She also enjoys to fuck around; Scotty and Mercy are good friends and fuck buddies but not exclusive at all. Sadly, that's the extent of her characterization.
Add in the bad and poorly written smexy bits and I had no choice but to wave the white flag. I think that a lack of chemistry and sexual tension will, ultimately, lead to a total fail of the entire buildup, provided there is one in the first place. And Scotty's thought of having Mercy and Mick collectively in his bed came out of the blue. What was his motivation? He likes to fuck, so let's add another party to it, or what? I still believe in sizzling hot instant attraction, but the author has to write palpable chemistry. I want authors to make me feel it. The protags here, however, didn't have any of that.
I know I have experienced the I-got-used-to-subpar-books-and-will-keep-on-smiling feeling so many times already, yet it's still very disheartening to be picking books up that let me down time and again. After I read the first quarter of Torque, I was wondering what the purpose of this book is. I don't have an answer for you. If you want one, then I suggest you read it.
**ARC courtesy of Samhain via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
December 12, 2015
Something isn't broken if all it needs is a missing piece.
Mick is on the run. Rolling through, taking work to keep on moving, and feeling tired of trying to shake a past that just won't let go. He stops at a wrecking yard and finds some work--and more.
Scott is welding for his gramps and trying to stay out of trouble. Kinda. He bears the burden of carrying a load that was not of his making and one that he chooses in order to help a friend. He keeps to himself, but he's got a short fuse and there's plenty around town that can set him off.
Mercy, is the girl who swoops in takes charge of a room. Mick watches, envies and wishes he could have what Scott and Mercy do. With either of them, but he's not a troublemaker.
Restless. All three of the characters are fighting that sense of being at their ends, needing to find a better place, and simultaneously feeling trapped. Little do they realize that while there are things they can't change, they can build there own world rather than letting it run right over them. The bunch of complicated insecurities they're all toting around makes it a bit of dance and none of them are stellar communicators.
I'm starting to see more stories that are writing across the spectrum and this one definitely does a good job of making real people with wishes, dreams and hopes. While I'm not an expert, I was really pleased with the representations of asexuality, transgender, and bisexuality in this polyamorous story. I also thought the blue collar setting instead of glitter world made it seem more tangible and not just a fantastical image of art and movies. I liked it, a lot.
Overall, love has so many facets and they all shine.
~Copy provided by Netgalley~
Mick is on the run. Rolling through, taking work to keep on moving, and feeling tired of trying to shake a past that just won't let go. He stops at a wrecking yard and finds some work--and more.
Scott is welding for his gramps and trying to stay out of trouble. Kinda. He bears the burden of carrying a load that was not of his making and one that he chooses in order to help a friend. He keeps to himself, but he's got a short fuse and there's plenty around town that can set him off.
Mercy, is the girl who swoops in takes charge of a room. Mick watches, envies and wishes he could have what Scott and Mercy do. With either of them, but he's not a troublemaker.
Restless. All three of the characters are fighting that sense of being at their ends, needing to find a better place, and simultaneously feeling trapped. Little do they realize that while there are things they can't change, they can build there own world rather than letting it run right over them. The bunch of complicated insecurities they're all toting around makes it a bit of dance and none of them are stellar communicators.
I'm starting to see more stories that are writing across the spectrum and this one definitely does a good job of making real people with wishes, dreams and hopes. While I'm not an expert, I was really pleased with the representations of asexuality, transgender, and bisexuality in this polyamorous story. I also thought the blue collar setting instead of glitter world made it seem more tangible and not just a fantastical image of art and movies. I liked it, a lot.
Overall, love has so many facets and they all shine.
~Copy provided by Netgalley~
Read
February 24, 2016DNF 65%- No rating
Cards on the table. When I read the blurb I read MMF which is my jam! Throw in blue collar and a character with a shady past and I was hitting the Request button like it was Easy Button. Not long after I was approved for the book the blog's promoter sent a blog tour request and I thought, "Great! I'm already reading it, so let's do this thing". As the info for the tour trickled in I noticed the word trans* and did the dog head tilt, reread the blurb and STILL thought, 'wait, what?' but I'd already been approved so... make lemonade out of lemons, right?
I have nothing against trans* or reads involving trans* characters but what I signed up for, I thought, was MMF, so yeah disappointed wouldn't be far off the mark as an adjective for my feels. There's an ocean's worth of difference between MMF and MMM*. Mercy, who at 65% barely qualified as a secondary character, is trans* MTF with no intention, I presume, of getting bottom surgery. Great! Super! Not what I signed up for. And as long as I'm talking sexuality tags, I'm pretty sure NO ONE is bisexual in this book. Mick strikes me as a closeted homosexual with a tit fetish which is also fine. Again, not what I was signed up for and not what the tags/blurb led me to believe. After reading through all the blog tour info apparently one of these characters is supposed to be asexual? I'm fairly certain, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that asexual individuals do not like having sex. Period. All of these people seem pretty enthusiastic about some form of sexual activity so I don't know what to make of that.
See the rest on the blog then later here.
An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cards on the table. When I read the blurb I read MMF which is my jam! Throw in blue collar and a character with a shady past and I was hitting the Request button like it was Easy Button. Not long after I was approved for the book the blog's promoter sent a blog tour request and I thought, "Great! I'm already reading it, so let's do this thing". As the info for the tour trickled in I noticed the word trans* and did the dog head tilt, reread the blurb and STILL thought, 'wait, what?' but I'd already been approved so... make lemonade out of lemons, right?
I have nothing against trans* or reads involving trans* characters but what I signed up for, I thought, was MMF, so yeah disappointed wouldn't be far off the mark as an adjective for my feels. There's an ocean's worth of difference between MMF and MMM*. Mercy, who at 65% barely qualified as a secondary character, is trans* MTF with no intention, I presume, of getting bottom surgery. Great! Super! Not what I signed up for. And as long as I'm talking sexuality tags, I'm pretty sure NO ONE is bisexual in this book. Mick strikes me as a closeted homosexual with a tit fetish which is also fine. Again, not what I was signed up for and not what the tags/blurb led me to believe. After reading through all the blog tour info apparently one of these characters is supposed to be asexual? I'm fairly certain, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that asexual individuals do not like having sex. Period. All of these people seem pretty enthusiastic about some form of sexual activity so I don't know what to make of that.
See the rest on the blog then later here.
An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
dnf-or-hated
January 2, 2016I'm tired, I'm confused, and I realize I don't care enough to continue on and try to figure out what's happening.
DNF 16%
DNF 16%
July 6, 2016
I freely admit I didn't want to read this one at first. The option to review crossed my email in the spring during a book tour, and I felt like I was not in a frame of mind to add it even though the blurb intrigued me. After reading some of the author's other work, I decided to check it out. I'm so glad I did.
Mick is troubled by his bisexuality---to the point he doesn't even know there's a word for his feelings until Mercy explains. Scotty has a difficult history and wars within himself between knowing he's enough and not being quite sure. Mercy is my favorite of all, even though we never see in her point of view (I really wish we did). She's beautiful and wonderful and holds everything together even though she has problems of her own.
There's a grittiness to this which didn't follow exactly what I was expecting. These characters are emotionally raw, if not always with each other, and their lives are not pretty. Out of necessity, they're forming a family of their own, and it's painful and beautiful they way they connect. When Mick, Mercy, and Scotty finally work out how much they need each other, all the layers are peeled back to expose their feelings. This is my favorite line in the whole thing:
"It wasn't because we don't belong together, I get that now. It's because we were missing you." (Scotty to Mick, on sealing their relationship with Mercy)
The one thing which bothered me was how unsure I felt about Scotty and his attitude toward Mercy. He doesn't ever misgender her or overtly act as though he doesn't see her as a woman, but he does these weird, subtle things like talking about how grossed out he is by vaginas. It undermines some of his other actions and words. It's not frequent, and it's possibly the sort of thing no one else would be bothered by, but it did make me hesitate.
On the whole, I really liked this story. It's fast-paced, which means we have to read between the lines at times with regard to the relationship. There's also a bit of telling vs. showing, which in this case I think is partly because of the unusual nature of the romance. For example, when Mercy explains that Scotty is asexual, that reads as being as much for audience benefit as for Mick. Otherwise, it's really well-written with a lot of sensitivity toward the characters and situations.
This is a book definitely geared toward people who are sick of reading the same or very similar plots involving diverse gender and sexual expression. It's not for people who are just looking for transgender tropes or hot menage erotica. In my opinion, we could use a lot fewer of those and a lot more books like this one.
For characters to fall in love with, realistic emotions, and an out-of-the-box happily every after, this gets 4.5 stars.
Mick is troubled by his bisexuality---to the point he doesn't even know there's a word for his feelings until Mercy explains. Scotty has a difficult history and wars within himself between knowing he's enough and not being quite sure. Mercy is my favorite of all, even though we never see in her point of view (I really wish we did). She's beautiful and wonderful and holds everything together even though she has problems of her own.
There's a grittiness to this which didn't follow exactly what I was expecting. These characters are emotionally raw, if not always with each other, and their lives are not pretty. Out of necessity, they're forming a family of their own, and it's painful and beautiful they way they connect. When Mick, Mercy, and Scotty finally work out how much they need each other, all the layers are peeled back to expose their feelings. This is my favorite line in the whole thing:
"It wasn't because we don't belong together, I get that now. It's because we were missing you." (Scotty to Mick, on sealing their relationship with Mercy)
The one thing which bothered me was how unsure I felt about Scotty and his attitude toward Mercy. He doesn't ever misgender her or overtly act as though he doesn't see her as a woman, but he does these weird, subtle things like talking about how grossed out he is by vaginas. It undermines some of his other actions and words. It's not frequent, and it's possibly the sort of thing no one else would be bothered by, but it did make me hesitate.
On the whole, I really liked this story. It's fast-paced, which means we have to read between the lines at times with regard to the relationship. There's also a bit of telling vs. showing, which in this case I think is partly because of the unusual nature of the romance. For example, when Mercy explains that Scotty is asexual, that reads as being as much for audience benefit as for Mick. Otherwise, it's really well-written with a lot of sensitivity toward the characters and situations.
This is a book definitely geared toward people who are sick of reading the same or very similar plots involving diverse gender and sexual expression. It's not for people who are just looking for transgender tropes or hot menage erotica. In my opinion, we could use a lot fewer of those and a lot more books like this one.
For characters to fall in love with, realistic emotions, and an out-of-the-box happily every after, this gets 4.5 stars.
April 24, 2016
I was soooo excited about this book. It focuses on Mick, a young man on the run from his past, who ends up working with Scotty, who has a complicated relationship with his childhood friend, Mercy. The three of them grow closer and feelings emerge and… It sounded good. You just don’t see a lot of books with asexual characters, or poly relationships, or trans characters, or even bi characters, and this had all of that. And the plot sounded interesting, too. And, man, was I so disappointed.
Okay, so there were just… a lot of things that didn’t work for me here. Honestly, I think a big one was that the sexualities presented were just… presented really oddly? For me. This is personal, I think. But everyone experiences their own sexuality in their own way, so… I just felt… like we had all these genders and sexualities and the author worked really hard to make them as… palatable as possible. I wasn’t really looking for palatable. I was looking for honesty, and this simply didn’t feel honest. And I felt that downplaying genders and relationships and sexualities that are already shoved into a dark corner, making them, maybe, reader‐friendly for a very specific reader group, was… not quite right.
But, okay. That’s a personal problem and I don’t think every reader’s going to have that same reaction.
So let’s talk technical. This is not well written. The writing is really clunky. It moves at a very fast clip, which is completely fine in many books, but here it felt like that pace was achieved by… leaving things out. The characters’ emotions change in sharp leaps, instead of a natural arc. I couldn’t understand why any of them liked each other at all, because one minute they don’t know each other, and the next they’re in love.
Speaking of the characters, I had a really hard time connecting with any of them. They never felt like real people to me, at all. Instead, they seemed to be cutouts of themes, without real personalities or wants or feelings. There was a lot of drama between the three main characters, as well as the side characters, but it felt kind of overblown, a way to eke out emotion, and I just couldn’t make myself care what happened to these people. There was also a lot of action, but again, I just didn’t care.
The dialogue was stiff. The sex was stiff (and not in the good way.) There were a lot of quick viewpoint changes (although not the worst viewpoint changes I’ve ever seen. But they were still uncomfortable.)
So… I guess that’s how I felt about this book. I didn’t care about it, or for it. Between the choppy writing and the blah characters and the weird way genders and sexuality were looked at, I simply didn’t like this.
Okay, so there were just… a lot of things that didn’t work for me here. Honestly, I think a big one was that the sexualities presented were just… presented really oddly? For me. This is personal, I think. But everyone experiences their own sexuality in their own way, so… I just felt… like we had all these genders and sexualities and the author worked really hard to make them as… palatable as possible. I wasn’t really looking for palatable. I was looking for honesty, and this simply didn’t feel honest. And I felt that downplaying genders and relationships and sexualities that are already shoved into a dark corner, making them, maybe, reader‐friendly for a very specific reader group, was… not quite right.
But, okay. That’s a personal problem and I don’t think every reader’s going to have that same reaction.
So let’s talk technical. This is not well written. The writing is really clunky. It moves at a very fast clip, which is completely fine in many books, but here it felt like that pace was achieved by… leaving things out. The characters’ emotions change in sharp leaps, instead of a natural arc. I couldn’t understand why any of them liked each other at all, because one minute they don’t know each other, and the next they’re in love.
Speaking of the characters, I had a really hard time connecting with any of them. They never felt like real people to me, at all. Instead, they seemed to be cutouts of themes, without real personalities or wants or feelings. There was a lot of drama between the three main characters, as well as the side characters, but it felt kind of overblown, a way to eke out emotion, and I just couldn’t make myself care what happened to these people. There was also a lot of action, but again, I just didn’t care.
The dialogue was stiff. The sex was stiff (and not in the good way.) There were a lot of quick viewpoint changes (although not the worst viewpoint changes I’ve ever seen. But they were still uncomfortable.)
So… I guess that’s how I felt about this book. I didn’t care about it, or for it. Between the choppy writing and the blah characters and the weird way genders and sexuality were looked at, I simply didn’t like this.
March 23, 2017
My initial attraction to Torque was the cover. It hinted at pain and turmoil and possibly getting gritty and dirty. Reading the blurb also gave me the impression as well. Mick on the run from biker culture, definitely sounds gritty especially when you throw in the story takes place in a wrecking yard. Scotty has anger issues and his best friend is Mercy. Sounds like I was in for a menage! Torque had all this other little bait words to draw me in for a good read. So I grabbed a copy and then…
I knew from the very beginning of the book I was going to have trouble. For starters, I did not expect to encounter a transgender character. Let me tell you I had to recheck Mercy and Scotty’s first ‘introduction’ to the story a couple of times before I got it. Ah. Yeah not what I really was in the market to read but I went with the flow. However, things just went downhill for me there. I just couldn’t engage with any of the characters. Mick is on the run from a ‘biker culture’ yet when his backstory comes out I was left thinking that’s a biker culture??? Also, why he is on the run was supposed to be this big deal and when the big truth is revealed, I was left feeling not impressed. As for Mercy and Scotty - they’re best friends that also have benefits and…that’s it. All right we find out a bit why Scotty has angry issues and how long Mercy has been living as a female.
I get at 144 pages the author needs to be quick in drawing in a reader, telling their stories, throw in some drama and tie it all off with a HEA. Okay there was drama, and yes, we get their back-stories. We even get a ménage as well as separate sex scenes. Frankly, there just wasn’t anything about Mick, Scotty or Mercy that I found I was curious about. It’s a sad day when the only thing you found remotely interesting about a book was the cat. I finally gave up called this book a DNF around 70%. At this time, I have no interest on reading any more books by this author.
I received this book from the JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars – 1.5, Flames – 4.5
I knew from the very beginning of the book I was going to have trouble. For starters, I did not expect to encounter a transgender character. Let me tell you I had to recheck Mercy and Scotty’s first ‘introduction’ to the story a couple of times before I got it. Ah. Yeah not what I really was in the market to read but I went with the flow. However, things just went downhill for me there. I just couldn’t engage with any of the characters. Mick is on the run from a ‘biker culture’ yet when his backstory comes out I was left thinking that’s a biker culture??? Also, why he is on the run was supposed to be this big deal and when the big truth is revealed, I was left feeling not impressed. As for Mercy and Scotty - they’re best friends that also have benefits and…that’s it. All right we find out a bit why Scotty has angry issues and how long Mercy has been living as a female.
I get at 144 pages the author needs to be quick in drawing in a reader, telling their stories, throw in some drama and tie it all off with a HEA. Okay there was drama, and yes, we get their back-stories. We even get a ménage as well as separate sex scenes. Frankly, there just wasn’t anything about Mick, Scotty or Mercy that I found I was curious about. It’s a sad day when the only thing you found remotely interesting about a book was the cat. I finally gave up called this book a DNF around 70%. At this time, I have no interest on reading any more books by this author.
I received this book from the JeepDiva for the express purposes of an honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars – 1.5, Flames – 4.5
June 15, 2016
<3.5 Stars ~ This is a difficult book to review without being very spoilery since not a lot is revealed in the blurb. Mick is on his way to Alaska from California, and he needs to make some money so he can keep his vehicle running. It seems Mick is running from something as well—but we aren’t let in on the specifics of that aspect of his life for a while. He’s good with motors and parts, and he ends up getting a job at a wrecking yard. Scotty, the grandson of the yard owner, works there as well. Scotty’s life has a few complications as well, mostly in his complete loser of a father and his best friend, Mercy.
Mercy is the epitome of complications—for Scotty, for Mick, and for herself and her family. Mick decides to stick around for a bit, but he’s worried about his attraction to Scotty and about Scotty’s relationship with Mercy. Scotty tries to convince him that his desire for Mick isn’t a problem for him or for Mercy. Mick isn’t easily convinced, but he sure does lust after Scotty.
There are a lot of problems that fly at this group of people in a pretty short span of time. Scotty’s dad shows up, wreaking havoc; Mercy’s family causes big trouble for her and for Scotty; then Mick runs when he thinks trouble from his past has found him. Scotty has to play the peacemaker and bring everyone around to a point of view that might lead to some sort of peace and a viable relationship for the trio.
Torque is truly nothing like I expected, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. My only complaint would be that it tries to incorporate so many different characters and their issues that I wish it had been longer so that we really get more development. There are a lot of different sexualities and personalities in this story, and I really would have liked more time with each of them.
Mercy is a very complicated character, and I felt like only the surface is scratched with her. Mick’s motivations are probably the most transparent after he works things out with his past and can move on without the fear that has paralyzed him. Scotty’s issues are not easily discerned from the action on the page, and we have to rely on Mercy to explain some of his personality traits.
I am a fan of Charley Descoteaux’s writing and I liked many aspects of this book. I like that the characters don’t fit into neat little boxes. The unconventional relationship between these three people is interesting. Personally, I would have liked the story to have been a bit longer just to satisfy my own curiosity about the characters and their lives. I hope that we get more stories involving other sexualities and gender identities because there really aren’t enough in the books that I see promoted regularly.
Reviewed by Sadonna for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Mercy is the epitome of complications—for Scotty, for Mick, and for herself and her family. Mick decides to stick around for a bit, but he’s worried about his attraction to Scotty and about Scotty’s relationship with Mercy. Scotty tries to convince him that his desire for Mick isn’t a problem for him or for Mercy. Mick isn’t easily convinced, but he sure does lust after Scotty.
There are a lot of problems that fly at this group of people in a pretty short span of time. Scotty’s dad shows up, wreaking havoc; Mercy’s family causes big trouble for her and for Scotty; then Mick runs when he thinks trouble from his past has found him. Scotty has to play the peacemaker and bring everyone around to a point of view that might lead to some sort of peace and a viable relationship for the trio.
Torque is truly nothing like I expected, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. My only complaint would be that it tries to incorporate so many different characters and their issues that I wish it had been longer so that we really get more development. There are a lot of different sexualities and personalities in this story, and I really would have liked more time with each of them.
Mercy is a very complicated character, and I felt like only the surface is scratched with her. Mick’s motivations are probably the most transparent after he works things out with his past and can move on without the fear that has paralyzed him. Scotty’s issues are not easily discerned from the action on the page, and we have to rely on Mercy to explain some of his personality traits.
I am a fan of Charley Descoteaux’s writing and I liked many aspects of this book. I like that the characters don’t fit into neat little boxes. The unconventional relationship between these three people is interesting. Personally, I would have liked the story to have been a bit longer just to satisfy my own curiosity about the characters and their lives. I hope that we get more stories involving other sexualities and gender identities because there really aren’t enough in the books that I see promoted regularly.
Reviewed by Sadonna for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
March 15, 2016
When faced with a book that didn't quite measure up, I try to always start out with the positives. I will say that this book has a great cover, and that the blurb absolutely made me want to read it. The sex scenes were pretty darn steamy, and the two main characters were interesting enough. Unfortunately beyond that, I was sadly disappointed overall. It was my first book featuring a transgender character, which I was excited about, but I felt like the transgender character was done a major disservice. They were more of an after thought throughout the entire book to the point where they just didn't fit into the story and were more of a background character than a main one. We also don't find out a major issue with one of the characters until nearly the end of the story, and what was worse was that it just didn't fit given his actions throughout the book. If it weren't for being told rather than shown there at the end, I never would have guessed. Now I'm not going to reveal more for fear that I'd be ruining what I assume was supposed to be some big reveal moment, but that reveal alone ruined the entire story for me. I think the biggest issue for me though, was that the whole plot was just weak overall. The book had potential, but unfortunately I have to just chalk it up to this growing trend of books with bad execution and poor editing.
*I received a review copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*
*I received a review copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*
February 21, 2016
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
This novel is unique on so many levels, and I really appreciated the interesting characters with complex backgrounds, and the way Charley shows that even flawed people can be perfect in their own way. I especially loved the relationship and the diversity.
I could have done without Mick's background. The suspension built up so deliciously at times, but in the end it fizzled more than banged. I would much rather have seen more of Scotty's story, or Mercy's.
And I really disliked the pace. It felt like several chapters would go by where nothing happened to drive the plot forward.
Read the full review on Just Love Romance .
This novel is unique on so many levels, and I really appreciated the interesting characters with complex backgrounds, and the way Charley shows that even flawed people can be perfect in their own way. I especially loved the relationship and the diversity.
Any moment of any day Scott was as handsome as they come, but with Mercy’s hand in his back pocket, his lips swollen from kissing her…a man could go blind from looking at something that dazzling.
I could have done without Mick's background. The suspension built up so deliciously at times, but in the end it fizzled more than banged. I would much rather have seen more of Scotty's story, or Mercy's.
And I really disliked the pace. It felt like several chapters would go by where nothing happened to drive the plot forward.
Read the full review on Just Love Romance .
February 20, 2016
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
4.5* of brilliance
This is a really good book, with some difficult themes, dealt with in a beautiful way. I enjoyed it very much, and loved the ending. All the way through each of the main protagonists gets to tell us their story, so we build up a wonderful picture of them. It reminds us of just how cruel the world can be, and how friendship and acceptance is a gift that should not cost so dear. Oh, and most of all - family is what you make it.
I will definitely be looking up Ms Descoteaux's other books, as I really like her style.
4.5* of brilliance
This is a really good book, with some difficult themes, dealt with in a beautiful way. I enjoyed it very much, and loved the ending. All the way through each of the main protagonists gets to tell us their story, so we build up a wonderful picture of them. It reminds us of just how cruel the world can be, and how friendship and acceptance is a gift that should not cost so dear. Oh, and most of all - family is what you make it.
I will definitely be looking up Ms Descoteaux's other books, as I really like her style.
February 7, 2016
Unfortunately this didn't really work for me. I wanted it to. I was happy to see the author included a transgender character and I was excited about that. The plot was ok but the characters were lacking imo. We didn't really get to know them and I was not invested in them at all. My biggest issue was this is a complicated three person relationship but it all fell so flat. There was a lot of telling not showing. I felt no emotional connection between them at all (not even between the two who were together at the start of the story). I didn't feel any love between them. I just didn't buy any of it.
March 13, 2016
I one-clicked this book after seeing someone on Twitter mention it had characters who were bi, ace and trans, and there simply aren't enough of those characters in romance right now. And I think my experience reading was colored b the fact that, as an ace woman, I couldn't figure out which of the three main characters was ace. I had to be told, when it was specifically stated in by one of the other characters. And I did the cat head-tilt thing.
I loved the blue-collar, junkyard setting, though. It was something different than the usual occupations you often see in romance.
This was my first read by the author, and I enjoyed the voice and writing style, so I'll check out another book.
I loved the blue-collar, junkyard setting, though. It was something different than the usual occupations you often see in romance.
This was my first read by the author, and I enjoyed the voice and writing style, so I'll check out another book.
December 4, 2017
2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Torque Charli Coty
1) Torque is one of those stories that is a full sensory experience. Red dust - I could almost taste the dry red dust pluming up around spinning wheels. The title is absolutely perfect, reflecting the tension in the narrative, and I loved the characters, the setting - pretty much everything about the story. Whilst I could have happily done without the intimate scenes (personal preference), the stark emotional connections and the open, honest portrayal of diverse LGBT characters (bi/trans) makes a welcome change. This is a tough story - emotionally, yes, but more it's about the kind of people whose marginalisation in society is repeated all too often in fiction (lower social class), and it was great to see them taking centre stage.
1) Torque is one of those stories that is a full sensory experience. Red dust - I could almost taste the dry red dust pluming up around spinning wheels. The title is absolutely perfect, reflecting the tension in the narrative, and I loved the characters, the setting - pretty much everything about the story. Whilst I could have happily done without the intimate scenes (personal preference), the stark emotional connections and the open, honest portrayal of diverse LGBT characters (bi/trans) makes a welcome change. This is a tough story - emotionally, yes, but more it's about the kind of people whose marginalisation in society is repeated all too often in fiction (lower social class), and it was great to see them taking centre stage.
August 22, 2024
I love an MMF. But this didn't tickle my fancy bits. It's just all a bit ordinary and not areal lot of plot. The sexy times lacked a bit of chemistry and were a little repetitive. But props for writing an inclusive story even if it didn't hit the mark for me.
Read
February 19, 2023DNF
dnf-nope
April 2, 2023I had a really hard time with this authors writing style and consequently couldn’t get very invested in the characters.
April 29, 2023
4 stars
June 5, 2023
I love how inclusive this story is.
June 14, 2016
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I got way more than I bargained for with Torque, but in a good way. Based on the book’s warning, I knew that one of the male characters was gay and one of the male characters was bisexual. What I did not know, did not expect, and was taken off guard by was that the female character was actually transgendered and while she dressed like a woman and had breast implants, she still had her male member. Yes, my heterosexuality and my small-town upbringing is showing, but I’m trying to describe this in terms that will keep the haters away from a book they won’t like while preparing more open-minded readers for an unexpected delight. By the way, I fall in that second group because once I reread the passage that revealed Mercy’s physical attributes, I was hellbent for leather to find out how the book would play out.
When Mick shows up at Bell’s Auto Wrecking, he’s on the run. Not from the law, but rather the life he left behind and a mountain of guilt over his brother’s predicament. He’s just passing through and sees his time at Bell’s as a good place to earn some money, fix his car, and enjoy the sights, the best one being the owner’s grandson, Scotty Bell. Being as Mick grew up around bikers and in a less than tolerant neighborhood, Mick sees Scotty as a look-but-don’t-touch situation and when he meets Scotty’s girlfriend, Mercy, he realizes just how fruitless his fantasies will be. But when circumstances put him and Scotty in close quarters and Scotty makes a move on him, Mick finds it hard to say no to what he wants, and clinging to his convictions that he won’t be with someone who is involved with someone else proves to be moot when Mick learns that Scotty and Mercy have an open relationship. Just as things heat up between Mick and Scotty, they seem to come to a screeching halt when Mercy’s brothers beat her up and Scotty has to handle Mercy’s situation. But Mick finds himself in the position of caretaker when Mercy’s brothers show back up and beat up Scotty when he refuses to tell them where Mercy is. As it turns out, Mick enjoys taking care of Scotty and their time together helps strengthen their relationship as it weakens Mick’s resolve to continue on to Alaska. That is, until Mick’s past comes rolling up on a motorcycle and Mick finds himself once again alone and on the run. But when Scotty discovers where Mick is, he sets off to bring his man back...after a much needed pop in the nose, that is. Mick’s return to Bell’s means he not only has to face his past, but he also has to face his future as well and he does both far better than he expected.
While the romance is both sweet and angsty, and the sex is hot as freaking heck, what made Torque such an interesting read for me was the sexuality issues the author included. It turns out that Mercy being transgendered was only one of the surprises found within. Scotty is not only gay, he’s also asexual. What made this interesting was that Scotty’s asexuality fluctuates because there are times he is highly sexual and can’t get enough of Mercy or Mick, and other times he has no sexual desires, preferring to spend time with them engaged in non-sexual activities. My past experience with asexual characters in books is that there is zero sexual desire on their part, so Scotty’s fluctuations was a novel character trait for me and one that sent me to Google. Mick’s bisexuality was interesting as well because some of his recollections from the past almost indicate that it may have been a shaped behavior due to his brother’s regular lessons on how to avoid being labeled gay – not because his brother was ashamed of Mick being gay, but rather he didn’t want Mick to be attacked because of his sexuality. While I do believe that most people are born to their sexuality, Mick’s memories, behaviors, and musings led me to believe that were it not for his brother’s insistence that Mick “look at their tits” that he would have leaned more toward a homosexual lifestyle instead of a bisexual one. As it stood, Mick’s sexual preferences proved to be perfect for Mercy because she was the physical embodiment of all of Mick’s favorite parts and he not only accepted her transgendered status, but embraced it enthusiastically. I found the different facets of each character’s sexuality to be fascinating, as well as how accepting Scotty’s grandfather was that Scotty had finally found happiness with Mick and Mercy. While I expected to enjoy this book, Torque turned out to be a far better read than I anticipated, so much so that I read it twice back-to-back, hence the five stars.
I got way more than I bargained for with Torque, but in a good way. Based on the book’s warning, I knew that one of the male characters was gay and one of the male characters was bisexual. What I did not know, did not expect, and was taken off guard by was that the female character was actually transgendered and while she dressed like a woman and had breast implants, she still had her male member. Yes, my heterosexuality and my small-town upbringing is showing, but I’m trying to describe this in terms that will keep the haters away from a book they won’t like while preparing more open-minded readers for an unexpected delight. By the way, I fall in that second group because once I reread the passage that revealed Mercy’s physical attributes, I was hellbent for leather to find out how the book would play out.
When Mick shows up at Bell’s Auto Wrecking, he’s on the run. Not from the law, but rather the life he left behind and a mountain of guilt over his brother’s predicament. He’s just passing through and sees his time at Bell’s as a good place to earn some money, fix his car, and enjoy the sights, the best one being the owner’s grandson, Scotty Bell. Being as Mick grew up around bikers and in a less than tolerant neighborhood, Mick sees Scotty as a look-but-don’t-touch situation and when he meets Scotty’s girlfriend, Mercy, he realizes just how fruitless his fantasies will be. But when circumstances put him and Scotty in close quarters and Scotty makes a move on him, Mick finds it hard to say no to what he wants, and clinging to his convictions that he won’t be with someone who is involved with someone else proves to be moot when Mick learns that Scotty and Mercy have an open relationship. Just as things heat up between Mick and Scotty, they seem to come to a screeching halt when Mercy’s brothers beat her up and Scotty has to handle Mercy’s situation. But Mick finds himself in the position of caretaker when Mercy’s brothers show back up and beat up Scotty when he refuses to tell them where Mercy is. As it turns out, Mick enjoys taking care of Scotty and their time together helps strengthen their relationship as it weakens Mick’s resolve to continue on to Alaska. That is, until Mick’s past comes rolling up on a motorcycle and Mick finds himself once again alone and on the run. But when Scotty discovers where Mick is, he sets off to bring his man back...after a much needed pop in the nose, that is. Mick’s return to Bell’s means he not only has to face his past, but he also has to face his future as well and he does both far better than he expected.
While the romance is both sweet and angsty, and the sex is hot as freaking heck, what made Torque such an interesting read for me was the sexuality issues the author included. It turns out that Mercy being transgendered was only one of the surprises found within. Scotty is not only gay, he’s also asexual. What made this interesting was that Scotty’s asexuality fluctuates because there are times he is highly sexual and can’t get enough of Mercy or Mick, and other times he has no sexual desires, preferring to spend time with them engaged in non-sexual activities. My past experience with asexual characters in books is that there is zero sexual desire on their part, so Scotty’s fluctuations was a novel character trait for me and one that sent me to Google. Mick’s bisexuality was interesting as well because some of his recollections from the past almost indicate that it may have been a shaped behavior due to his brother’s regular lessons on how to avoid being labeled gay – not because his brother was ashamed of Mick being gay, but rather he didn’t want Mick to be attacked because of his sexuality. While I do believe that most people are born to their sexuality, Mick’s memories, behaviors, and musings led me to believe that were it not for his brother’s insistence that Mick “look at their tits” that he would have leaned more toward a homosexual lifestyle instead of a bisexual one. As it stood, Mick’s sexual preferences proved to be perfect for Mercy because she was the physical embodiment of all of Mick’s favorite parts and he not only accepted her transgendered status, but embraced it enthusiastically. I found the different facets of each character’s sexuality to be fascinating, as well as how accepting Scotty’s grandfather was that Scotty had finally found happiness with Mick and Mercy. While I expected to enjoy this book, Torque turned out to be a far better read than I anticipated, so much so that I read it twice back-to-back, hence the five stars.
February 23, 2016
Previously reviewed on The Good, The Bad, and The Unread:
I’ve complained a few times about the comparative rarity of romances with believable bisexual characters in them. Romances with gender-queer or trans* characters are even rarer, and romances with asexual characters are practically non-existent, even though the acer community includes a broad spectrum of individuals, not all of whom are both asexual and aromantic. So this story, given that it also included bikers, car restoration, and a cat, should have been very much my thing.
Sadly, it never completely grabbed me. Mick is on the run from a group of bikers for reasons that take a long time to become clear – if indeed they ever do, given that his fears about what his brother’s friends will do when they catch him prove largely unfounded. He’s headed for Alaska, also for reasons that are only explained later on, but his beloved VW breaks down in Portland, and he seeks refuge, as well as car parts, at a local wrecking yard, where the owner is only too glad of an extra worker.
Right from the start, Mick is attracted to the owner’s grandson, Scotty, who has a complicated on-off relationship with his best friend since school, Mercy, a transwoman. Mick tries to suppress his feelings for Scotty and to ignore Mercy’s flirtatious behaviour by seeking out encounters with women well away from the yard. We learn that the older brother he grew up with drummed into Mick the importance of hiding his attraction to men and only acting on his attraction to women – with little success, it appears, since Mick’s reason for wanting to move to Alaska is to find a place with as few people that he might be attracted to as possible.
Mick’s default reaction to just about any situation is to run away, so when one of his brother’s friends shows up, he sets off in the VW, but doesn’t get far before the car develops another fault. Frustratingly, as I hinted earlier, there was absolutely no reason for him to fear being discovered, but once that’s all resolved, Mick is finally able to come to terms with his attraction to both Scotty and Mercy, and then to help Mercy escape her abusive family once and for all.
I really wanted to love this book. Scotty is asexual, although not completely against having sex with people he loves, and the poly relationship between the three main characters felt a lot more realistic than many I’ve seen in fiction. I was also heartened to see Scotty’s grandfather finding romance, although I’d have liked to have seen more of him and his lady-love together.
Overall, I gave this book a higher grade than I might otherwise have done, because the author really tried to pull together a bunch of characters of types that we see far too rarely in fiction, never mind in romance, but the overall plot – particularly the reasons for Mick’s angst and his motivations – just didn’t work for me. I think I’ll give one of the author’s books a go at some point and see if that suits me better.
I’ve complained a few times about the comparative rarity of romances with believable bisexual characters in them. Romances with gender-queer or trans* characters are even rarer, and romances with asexual characters are practically non-existent, even though the acer community includes a broad spectrum of individuals, not all of whom are both asexual and aromantic. So this story, given that it also included bikers, car restoration, and a cat, should have been very much my thing.
Sadly, it never completely grabbed me. Mick is on the run from a group of bikers for reasons that take a long time to become clear – if indeed they ever do, given that his fears about what his brother’s friends will do when they catch him prove largely unfounded. He’s headed for Alaska, also for reasons that are only explained later on, but his beloved VW breaks down in Portland, and he seeks refuge, as well as car parts, at a local wrecking yard, where the owner is only too glad of an extra worker.
Right from the start, Mick is attracted to the owner’s grandson, Scotty, who has a complicated on-off relationship with his best friend since school, Mercy, a transwoman. Mick tries to suppress his feelings for Scotty and to ignore Mercy’s flirtatious behaviour by seeking out encounters with women well away from the yard. We learn that the older brother he grew up with drummed into Mick the importance of hiding his attraction to men and only acting on his attraction to women – with little success, it appears, since Mick’s reason for wanting to move to Alaska is to find a place with as few people that he might be attracted to as possible.
Mick’s default reaction to just about any situation is to run away, so when one of his brother’s friends shows up, he sets off in the VW, but doesn’t get far before the car develops another fault. Frustratingly, as I hinted earlier, there was absolutely no reason for him to fear being discovered, but once that’s all resolved, Mick is finally able to come to terms with his attraction to both Scotty and Mercy, and then to help Mercy escape her abusive family once and for all.
I really wanted to love this book. Scotty is asexual, although not completely against having sex with people he loves, and the poly relationship between the three main characters felt a lot more realistic than many I’ve seen in fiction. I was also heartened to see Scotty’s grandfather finding romance, although I’d have liked to have seen more of him and his lady-love together.
Overall, I gave this book a higher grade than I might otherwise have done, because the author really tried to pull together a bunch of characters of types that we see far too rarely in fiction, never mind in romance, but the overall plot – particularly the reasons for Mick’s angst and his motivations – just didn’t work for me. I think I’ll give one of the author’s books a go at some point and see if that suits me better.
June 15, 2016
3.5 stars. Full review can also be found at The Novel Approach
This is a difficult book to review without being very spoilery since not a lot is revealed in the blurb. Mick is on his way to Alaska from California, and he needs to make some money so he can keep his vehicle running. It seems Mick is running from something as well—but we aren’t let in on the specifics of that aspect of his life for a while. He’s good with motors and parts, and he ends up getting a job at a wrecking yard. Scotty, the grandson of the yard owner, works there as well. Scotty’s life has a few complications as well, mostly in his complete loser of a father and his best friend, Mercy.
Mercy is the epitome of complications—for Scotty, for Mick, and for herself and her family. Mick decides to stick around for a bit, but he’s worried about his attraction to Scotty and about Scotty’s relationship with Mercy. Scotty tries to convince him that his desire for Mick isn’t a problem for him or for Mercy. Mick isn’t easily convinced, but he sure does lust after Scotty.
There are a lot of problems that fly at this group of people in a pretty short span of time. Scotty’s dad shows up, wreaking havoc; Mercy’s family causes big trouble for her and for Scotty; then Mick runs when he thinks trouble from his past has found him. Scotty has to play the peacemaker and bring everyone around to a point of view that might lead to some sort of peace and a viable relationship for the trio.
Torque is truly nothing like I expected, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. My only complaint would be that it tries to incorporate so many different characters and their issues that I wish it had been longer so that we really get more development. There are a lot of different sexualities and personalities in this story, and I really would have liked more time with each of them.
Mercy is a very complicated character, and I felt like only the surface is scratched with her. Mick’s motivations are probably the most transparent after he works things out with his past and can move on without the fear that has paralyzed him. Scotty’s issues are not easily discerned from the action on the page, and we have to rely on Mercy to explain some of his personality traits.
I am a fan of Charley Descoteaux’s writing and I liked many aspects of this book. I like that the characters don’t fit into neat little boxes. The unconventional relationship between these three people is interesting. Personally, I would have liked the story to have been a bit longer just to satisfy my own curiosity about the characters and their lives. I hope that we get more stories involving other sexualities and gender identities because there really aren’t enough in the books that I see promoted regularly.
This is a difficult book to review without being very spoilery since not a lot is revealed in the blurb. Mick is on his way to Alaska from California, and he needs to make some money so he can keep his vehicle running. It seems Mick is running from something as well—but we aren’t let in on the specifics of that aspect of his life for a while. He’s good with motors and parts, and he ends up getting a job at a wrecking yard. Scotty, the grandson of the yard owner, works there as well. Scotty’s life has a few complications as well, mostly in his complete loser of a father and his best friend, Mercy.
Mercy is the epitome of complications—for Scotty, for Mick, and for herself and her family. Mick decides to stick around for a bit, but he’s worried about his attraction to Scotty and about Scotty’s relationship with Mercy. Scotty tries to convince him that his desire for Mick isn’t a problem for him or for Mercy. Mick isn’t easily convinced, but he sure does lust after Scotty.
There are a lot of problems that fly at this group of people in a pretty short span of time. Scotty’s dad shows up, wreaking havoc; Mercy’s family causes big trouble for her and for Scotty; then Mick runs when he thinks trouble from his past has found him. Scotty has to play the peacemaker and bring everyone around to a point of view that might lead to some sort of peace and a viable relationship for the trio.
Torque is truly nothing like I expected, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. My only complaint would be that it tries to incorporate so many different characters and their issues that I wish it had been longer so that we really get more development. There are a lot of different sexualities and personalities in this story, and I really would have liked more time with each of them.
Mercy is a very complicated character, and I felt like only the surface is scratched with her. Mick’s motivations are probably the most transparent after he works things out with his past and can move on without the fear that has paralyzed him. Scotty’s issues are not easily discerned from the action on the page, and we have to rely on Mercy to explain some of his personality traits.
I am a fan of Charley Descoteaux’s writing and I liked many aspects of this book. I like that the characters don’t fit into neat little boxes. The unconventional relationship between these three people is interesting. Personally, I would have liked the story to have been a bit longer just to satisfy my own curiosity about the characters and their lives. I hope that we get more stories involving other sexualities and gender identities because there really aren’t enough in the books that I see promoted regularly.
April 7, 2016
Review can be read at It's About The Book
2.5 stars
Based on the blurb and the cover I felt like this book may be a different and gritty read for me. It was different but it didn’t work for me. I was never really connected to the characters. Things moved along so quickly I barely had time to get to know the characters or time to settle into what was happening. I didn’t love this one. For me it was missing the desperation and depth I feel like the author was trying to achieve.
Mick is on the run from his past. He’s moving from town to town looking for work at salvage jobs. They usually pay cash and don’t ask questions. His latest stop introduces him to a grandfather and grandson run yard. Scotty’s grandpa is nice guy and offers Mick a job pulling parts. This puts him in contact with the scrappy but likable Scotty. Mick is attracted instantly. Scotty offers friendship but Mick is hesitant to draw Scotty into his trouble. Friendship leads to more when Mick relaxes and gets his first taste of acceptance. He’s hidden his desire for men his entire life. Mick also knows he’ll have to run again so he never quite settles into the relationship he so badly wants with Scotty. Of course he never tells Scotty about his past either. Mick is after all a coward.
Scotty has always been picked on. His father is a junkie in and out of jail that pops up to steal from them at random moments. Scotty was also deemed mentally slow as a student so he faced a lot of ridicule from his peers. Scotty identifies as Asexual. He leads a solitary life with the exception of his friend and of course his grandpa who is awesome. His best friend is transgender. Scotty sleeps with her sometimes. It’s never really explained how this came about. The story has him saying hi to her one minute and she’s bent over the table the next. When Mick comes into his life he also starts sleeping with him. Somewhere in this book they all form a poly relationship where they all sleep together. Or two of them hook up randomly if someone isn’t there or in the mood. But emotionally they’re all a unit. I honestly don’t know how that all came to be. It just did. There was no build up beyond the attraction and giving into desires.
This book just felt like it was missing pieces. I didn’t connect with any of the characters. The past Mick is running from was kind of a let down for me. The relationship seemed to be built on availability and lust more than anything substantial. Like they were all stuck there and liked each other enough so…. The best thing about this book for me was the relationship between Scotty and his grandpa. Who was always there for Scotty no matter what.
2.5 stars
Based on the blurb and the cover I felt like this book may be a different and gritty read for me. It was different but it didn’t work for me. I was never really connected to the characters. Things moved along so quickly I barely had time to get to know the characters or time to settle into what was happening. I didn’t love this one. For me it was missing the desperation and depth I feel like the author was trying to achieve.
Mick is on the run from his past. He’s moving from town to town looking for work at salvage jobs. They usually pay cash and don’t ask questions. His latest stop introduces him to a grandfather and grandson run yard. Scotty’s grandpa is nice guy and offers Mick a job pulling parts. This puts him in contact with the scrappy but likable Scotty. Mick is attracted instantly. Scotty offers friendship but Mick is hesitant to draw Scotty into his trouble. Friendship leads to more when Mick relaxes and gets his first taste of acceptance. He’s hidden his desire for men his entire life. Mick also knows he’ll have to run again so he never quite settles into the relationship he so badly wants with Scotty. Of course he never tells Scotty about his past either. Mick is after all a coward.
Scotty has always been picked on. His father is a junkie in and out of jail that pops up to steal from them at random moments. Scotty was also deemed mentally slow as a student so he faced a lot of ridicule from his peers. Scotty identifies as Asexual. He leads a solitary life with the exception of his friend and of course his grandpa who is awesome. His best friend is transgender. Scotty sleeps with her sometimes. It’s never really explained how this came about. The story has him saying hi to her one minute and she’s bent over the table the next. When Mick comes into his life he also starts sleeping with him. Somewhere in this book they all form a poly relationship where they all sleep together. Or two of them hook up randomly if someone isn’t there or in the mood. But emotionally they’re all a unit. I honestly don’t know how that all came to be. It just did. There was no build up beyond the attraction and giving into desires.
This book just felt like it was missing pieces. I didn’t connect with any of the characters. The past Mick is running from was kind of a let down for me. The relationship seemed to be built on availability and lust more than anything substantial. Like they were all stuck there and liked each other enough so…. The best thing about this book for me was the relationship between Scotty and his grandpa. Who was always there for Scotty no matter what.
February 27, 2016
(Originally reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews with a copy provided by the author / publisher for an honest review.)
Well, this one was a departure from my long line of fantasy, sci-fi, shifters and what-not. And not in an entirely bad way.
When we meet Mick Randall, we know he is on the run, and know it isn’t from the law…but we don’t know much else. In fact if you didn’t read the blurb, like I didn’t before I read it, you won’t know until a good way through the book (more than half way) what he is actually running from. I prefer that myself, since it kept me guessing.
Mick is headed for Alaska, but money is tight so he randomly decides to take a temporary job at a junk yard somewhere in Oregon. Of course, there ends up being a hot blond welder and all around guy at the yard, who turns out to be the owner’s grandson, Scotty Bell.
Scotty has only ever had one love in his life. His best friend Mercy. What will happen when sparks fly between Scotty and Mick…but also between Mercy and Mick?
I liked the fact that this story incorporated a bisexual character, an asexual character and a transgender/gender fluid character as the main character polyamorous Triad. Honestly though, I was a little confused by some of the representations of the sexual identities of the characters. Mick is written as bisexual, but he read as more of a confused gay man fighting to not be gay. Scotty, who is supposed to be asexual has wild bouts of wanting lots and lots of sex…which seemed odd for an asexual, and Mercy’s character just needed more details and background to be believable as the trans/gender fluid character that she is supposed to be.
Overall, the book was good/average in my opinion. The storyline on this one was a little choppy. It seemed to jump around, and characters popped in at odd times. For example, the guy from Mick’s former life who just happens to stop at a random junk yard in Oregon and finds Mick? Really? Or the instant trust of Mick, and the instant “love” between the Triad members. I just felt it was all a little too pat. The book was well enough written, but didn’t really have much to make it stand out and grab my attention. Now that I think back, I did read the blurb when it hit our available to read/review list on Love Bytes, and I originally requested it and picked it up specifically for the “running from the motorcycle club” aspect. I guess I was expecting a little more. It was a good book, but it didn’t excite me.
Well, this one was a departure from my long line of fantasy, sci-fi, shifters and what-not. And not in an entirely bad way.
When we meet Mick Randall, we know he is on the run, and know it isn’t from the law…but we don’t know much else. In fact if you didn’t read the blurb, like I didn’t before I read it, you won’t know until a good way through the book (more than half way) what he is actually running from. I prefer that myself, since it kept me guessing.
Mick is headed for Alaska, but money is tight so he randomly decides to take a temporary job at a junk yard somewhere in Oregon. Of course, there ends up being a hot blond welder and all around guy at the yard, who turns out to be the owner’s grandson, Scotty Bell.
Scotty has only ever had one love in his life. His best friend Mercy. What will happen when sparks fly between Scotty and Mick…but also between Mercy and Mick?
I liked the fact that this story incorporated a bisexual character, an asexual character and a transgender/gender fluid character as the main character polyamorous Triad. Honestly though, I was a little confused by some of the representations of the sexual identities of the characters. Mick is written as bisexual, but he read as more of a confused gay man fighting to not be gay. Scotty, who is supposed to be asexual has wild bouts of wanting lots and lots of sex…which seemed odd for an asexual, and Mercy’s character just needed more details and background to be believable as the trans/gender fluid character that she is supposed to be.
Overall, the book was good/average in my opinion. The storyline on this one was a little choppy. It seemed to jump around, and characters popped in at odd times. For example, the guy from Mick’s former life who just happens to stop at a random junk yard in Oregon and finds Mick? Really? Or the instant trust of Mick, and the instant “love” between the Triad members. I just felt it was all a little too pat. The book was well enough written, but didn’t really have much to make it stand out and grab my attention. Now that I think back, I did read the blurb when it hit our available to read/review list on Love Bytes, and I originally requested it and picked it up specifically for the “running from the motorcycle club” aspect. I guess I was expecting a little more. It was a good book, but it didn’t excite me.
January 27, 2016
Title:Torque
Author: Charley Descoteaux
Series:
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: February 23, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Transgender Romance
Page Count: 189
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Blurb:
“Scotty pulled them gently toward the hall, toward the bedroom, not forcing them to break the kiss to move with him. He stopped at the foot of the bed and wrapped his arms around both Mick and Mercy together.”
3 torqued stars!!
I was really pulling for this book. But there was just something lacking overall. Although I loved the characters more than anything. Mick and Scotty are really well written and I loved their story, but I could really do without Mercy. I didn’t really see the point to her. The storyline was unique and fun overall!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
Author: Charley Descoteaux
Series:
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Release Date: February 23, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Transgender Romance
Page Count: 189
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Mick Randall is on the run, from the biker culture he grew up in and his impossible vision of love. Alaska should be far enough to escape his old life—until he rolls into a wrecking yard and gets lost in a pair of pale, bottle-green eyes.
Scotty Bell has spent years learning to channel his fiery temper into the heat of a welding torch. His sexual heat has always been slower to ignite, but one look at Mick rouses confusion alongside desire. In all his life, he’s only been attracted to one other person—his best friend, Mercy Taylor.
Mick lands a temporary job at the yard, and finds an uneasy crash pad at Scotty’s place…where the ragged ends of his emotions get tangled up in Scotty and Mercy’s relationship.
But when Mick hears a Harley engine from his past bearing down on him, his first instinct is to go back to the half-life he’d been living. Lest his secrets destroy the only two people who’ve ever made him feel whole.
“Scotty pulled them gently toward the hall, toward the bedroom, not forcing them to break the kiss to move with him. He stopped at the foot of the bed and wrapped his arms around both Mick and Mercy together.”
3 torqued stars!!
I was really pulling for this book. But there was just something lacking overall. Although I loved the characters more than anything. Mick and Scotty are really well written and I loved their story, but I could really do without Mercy. I didn’t really see the point to her. The storyline was unique and fun overall!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
February 23, 2016
Rating: 3.5 stars
My View: In this story, the plot and the characters' relationship can be seen as separate, yet, intrinsical to each other. The steps they took, got them together, but at the same time were not important in the development of the MCs' relationship. The book was more about them working together to find what worked for them, than overcoming obstacles to get to their HEA.
I didn't see Torque as a romance novel even when the three main characters made their relationship worked and exchanged I love yous. More than anything, it was Mick's story-- the exploration of his sexuality and his self-worth. How he dealt with his shortcomings and the ghost following him away from California. I do think the characters were a bit immature for their age. Probably early twenties would have worked better than late twenties and early thirties. But it worked better than them settling in a forever relationship too early on.
All the secondary characters had a purpose in the story, even Keith, Wanda, Chuck, and Mercy's brothers. Their day-to-day activities were mundane, but the blue collar scenario gave more credibility to their love story.
This story might not be for everybody. It's a little gritty, a little slow or overly fast in others, with characters not wanting anything else than what they already had, but overall, it works well. It's a simple story, with simple characters in search of happiness and self-awareness.
What I liked the most: The way the MCs' relationship worked. They complemented each other.
I wanted more of: I wanted for Mick's past to hunt him down, or up since he traveled north.
Who should read it: Anyone looking for a different take on a triad relationship.
Originally reviewed for Someone Else's Stories.
My View: In this story, the plot and the characters' relationship can be seen as separate, yet, intrinsical to each other. The steps they took, got them together, but at the same time were not important in the development of the MCs' relationship. The book was more about them working together to find what worked for them, than overcoming obstacles to get to their HEA.
I didn't see Torque as a romance novel even when the three main characters made their relationship worked and exchanged I love yous. More than anything, it was Mick's story-- the exploration of his sexuality and his self-worth. How he dealt with his shortcomings and the ghost following him away from California. I do think the characters were a bit immature for their age. Probably early twenties would have worked better than late twenties and early thirties. But it worked better than them settling in a forever relationship too early on.
All the secondary characters had a purpose in the story, even Keith, Wanda, Chuck, and Mercy's brothers. Their day-to-day activities were mundane, but the blue collar scenario gave more credibility to their love story.
This story might not be for everybody. It's a little gritty, a little slow or overly fast in others, with characters not wanting anything else than what they already had, but overall, it works well. It's a simple story, with simple characters in search of happiness and self-awareness.
What I liked the most: The way the MCs' relationship worked. They complemented each other.
I wanted more of: I wanted for Mick's past to hunt him down, or up since he traveled north.
Who should read it: Anyone looking for a different take on a triad relationship.
ARC received via Netgalley, courtesy of Samhain, for an honest review.
Originally reviewed for Someone Else's Stories.
December 5, 2016
Original review of Molly Lolly
Three and a half stars!
I really enjoyed the story up until the storyline with Mick’s brother ended. The tension between Mick, Scotty and Mercy was very well written and you could feel Mick’s internal struggle between his wants and what he feels he should want based on his past. However when the switch came from the end of the chapter with Chuck riding away and the start of the next it was jarring for the three of them to magically just jump into bed without really resolving the issues around why they didn’t in the first place.
I would have liked more of the last quarter of the book to be spent on developing the relationship completely and not just sex. There was a little bit along with some needed resolutions of other parts. But I needed more emotion and feeling from Mercy, Mick and Scotty than the sex. I wasn’t a fan of how Mick and Mercy devised ways to jump start Scotty’s sex drive. It felt like they were forcing him to be more sexual than he may have wanted on his own. However all of the sex scenes did serve a purpose to show an aspect of their relationship that was important.
I really liked Scotty as a character. He was so dynamic and had many facets that melded together to create this guy that was equal parts broken and so damn strong. I would have liked to get in his head a bit more because I just enjoyed him so much. Mick was also an amazing character. He was broken in a completely different way and had practically no self esteem. I enjoyed watching him grow as a character and gain more confidence in himself because of Scotty, Mercy and even Walt a little bit. Mercy was a bit of an enigma. It was hard to know what she was thinking and feeling at times but you also felt for her and the things she’s had to put up with from her family. I would love to get to know more about her.
Overall the story tried to do some amazing things but I wanted the focus on the characters a bit more and their story.
Three and a half stars!
I really enjoyed the story up until the storyline with Mick’s brother ended. The tension between Mick, Scotty and Mercy was very well written and you could feel Mick’s internal struggle between his wants and what he feels he should want based on his past. However when the switch came from the end of the chapter with Chuck riding away and the start of the next it was jarring for the three of them to magically just jump into bed without really resolving the issues around why they didn’t in the first place.
I would have liked more of the last quarter of the book to be spent on developing the relationship completely and not just sex. There was a little bit along with some needed resolutions of other parts. But I needed more emotion and feeling from Mercy, Mick and Scotty than the sex. I wasn’t a fan of how Mick and Mercy devised ways to jump start Scotty’s sex drive. It felt like they were forcing him to be more sexual than he may have wanted on his own. However all of the sex scenes did serve a purpose to show an aspect of their relationship that was important.
I really liked Scotty as a character. He was so dynamic and had many facets that melded together to create this guy that was equal parts broken and so damn strong. I would have liked to get in his head a bit more because I just enjoyed him so much. Mick was also an amazing character. He was broken in a completely different way and had practically no self esteem. I enjoyed watching him grow as a character and gain more confidence in himself because of Scotty, Mercy and even Walt a little bit. Mercy was a bit of an enigma. It was hard to know what she was thinking and feeling at times but you also felt for her and the things she’s had to put up with from her family. I would love to get to know more about her.
Overall the story tried to do some amazing things but I wanted the focus on the characters a bit more and their story.
February 19, 2016
I can't remember the last book I read where I wanted to give the two lead characters a big hug each right from the moment I met them on page. This is one thing the author did very well with this book, getting the reader to connect easily with the characters right from the start.
Perhaps it was the vulnerability of the characters. Perhaps it was that I could visualise them as real human beings trying to get on with their lives even when life keeps throwing shit at them. Perhaps it was their resilience in fighting for their place in the world. All these things are quite evident with this story.
Mick is on the run from his old life and headed for Alaska. But first he's making a stop over at a breaking yard so he can earn some money before he moves on. That's the plan anyway until he meets Scotty and subsequently, Mercy. Mick is carrying a whole lot of hurt and guilt. When he was a boy his mother left his brother and him under the care of his step father. But when something bad happens and his brother ends up in jail, Mick goes on the run.
Scotty works in the wrecking yard that his grandfather, Walt, owns. He's got a short fuse of a temper and is always ready to fight especially when it comes to defending the people he cares about. His father is in and out of jail regularly and Mercy is his only true friend who comes with 'benefits.' Well, that's until Mick arrives.
Scotty is confused by this attraction he feels to Mick as much as Mick is, especially with Mercy thrown into the mix. As individuals they feel insecure and uncertain. Together, they could become...complete? Will they work out their feelings in time before Mick high tails it out of Portland?
As I mentioned at the start, this is a story that engaged me. The characters are well-drawn. The story is well-written and moved along at a steady pace. There is a good spectrum of sexuality/gender covered including gay, bisexuality and transgender. There were moments when I wanted a bit more passion, a little more intensity. Still, this is a solid read and I'm happy to recommend it.
Perhaps it was the vulnerability of the characters. Perhaps it was that I could visualise them as real human beings trying to get on with their lives even when life keeps throwing shit at them. Perhaps it was their resilience in fighting for their place in the world. All these things are quite evident with this story.
Mick is on the run from his old life and headed for Alaska. But first he's making a stop over at a breaking yard so he can earn some money before he moves on. That's the plan anyway until he meets Scotty and subsequently, Mercy. Mick is carrying a whole lot of hurt and guilt. When he was a boy his mother left his brother and him under the care of his step father. But when something bad happens and his brother ends up in jail, Mick goes on the run.
Scotty works in the wrecking yard that his grandfather, Walt, owns. He's got a short fuse of a temper and is always ready to fight especially when it comes to defending the people he cares about. His father is in and out of jail regularly and Mercy is his only true friend who comes with 'benefits.' Well, that's until Mick arrives.
Scotty is confused by this attraction he feels to Mick as much as Mick is, especially with Mercy thrown into the mix. As individuals they feel insecure and uncertain. Together, they could become...complete? Will they work out their feelings in time before Mick high tails it out of Portland?
As I mentioned at the start, this is a story that engaged me. The characters are well-drawn. The story is well-written and moved along at a steady pace. There is a good spectrum of sexuality/gender covered including gay, bisexuality and transgender. There were moments when I wanted a bit more passion, a little more intensity. Still, this is a solid read and I'm happy to recommend it.
June 5, 2016
Reviewed for ***Prism Book Alliance***
This book, overall, had a nice storyline and some intriguing characters. It definitely picked up toward the end, though the beginning was a little rough for me.
My main beef with the book is that the main character, Mick, has weird knowledge gaps. A lot of the tension in his character arc centers on his fear of being discovered to be not-straight, and on his lack of M/M experience. He’s 20-something and has never watched gay porn and seems to literally believe he’s going to be beaten to death if he drops his straight façade for even a moment (due to his rough upbringing), yet he knows proper etiquette and terminology for transgender issues. The rest of his tension is about his past and his perceived failures. That part was harder for me to take because I’m not big on angst, and I like self-awareness. The more Mick worked out his demons and corrected his self-concept, the more I liked him, which made the book easy to read.
What I liked most about the book were the supporting characters and their interactions with Mick. They were sketched out well enough to be credible but left with some of their own mystery and secrets. They also provided the lenses Mick needs to change the way he sees himself, and the supportive framework within which to do it. I loved how perceptive Scotty and Mercy were, and Walt’s tough-tender dichotomy. Mercy was also smart, analytical, and willing to say what needed to be said. When things get complicated, she has a way of laying it all out so it doesn’t turn into a problem. Scotty is doggedly loyal and has an endearing self-awareness.
The book packs a lot into a short word count, and does a fine job wrapping up plot threads to give the book a satisfying conclusion.
This book, overall, had a nice storyline and some intriguing characters. It definitely picked up toward the end, though the beginning was a little rough for me.
My main beef with the book is that the main character, Mick, has weird knowledge gaps. A lot of the tension in his character arc centers on his fear of being discovered to be not-straight, and on his lack of M/M experience. He’s 20-something and has never watched gay porn and seems to literally believe he’s going to be beaten to death if he drops his straight façade for even a moment (due to his rough upbringing), yet he knows proper etiquette and terminology for transgender issues. The rest of his tension is about his past and his perceived failures. That part was harder for me to take because I’m not big on angst, and I like self-awareness. The more Mick worked out his demons and corrected his self-concept, the more I liked him, which made the book easy to read.
What I liked most about the book were the supporting characters and their interactions with Mick. They were sketched out well enough to be credible but left with some of their own mystery and secrets. They also provided the lenses Mick needs to change the way he sees himself, and the supportive framework within which to do it. I loved how perceptive Scotty and Mercy were, and Walt’s tough-tender dichotomy. Mercy was also smart, analytical, and willing to say what needed to be said. When things get complicated, she has a way of laying it all out so it doesn’t turn into a problem. Scotty is doggedly loyal and has an endearing self-awareness.
The book packs a lot into a short word count, and does a fine job wrapping up plot threads to give the book a satisfying conclusion.
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