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Don't Walk Away
“We can't pretend that anything we do right now is simple, easy or without strings. You and me, we're made of string." "Then let’s get tied up," Jacob mumbled against his throat. The boldest thing that Hawthorne Walker has ever done is kiss the star quarterback, his best friend Jacob, under the bleachers during his senior year of high school. A kiss that ended in tragedy. Fifteen years later, he works at a homeless teen outreach center in the small town where he grew up. It’s quiet and uneventful, until the man who stars in all his fantasies returns. Jacob Shaw is a man adrift. Divorced, working a job he hates, his life can’t get any shittier, until his son runs away. During the search for his son, Jacob is led back to the one place he never wanted to see again—the town he grew up in. Worse, the one man who can help him is none other than the man who broke his heart in high school. Jacob never got over the way Hawthorne had made him feel fifteen years ago but he’ll have to learn how to work with the man who still makes his heart thump if he’s going to find his son. This small town, best friends to lovers, second chance gay romance is 53k words, can be read as a standalone and features a HEA.If crazy big family moments and steamy gay sex scenes aren’t your thing, this may not be the book for you.
- GenresM M Romance
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2017
17 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 9, 2017
Not bad for a debut novel
This one probably needed on more beta read or another run through editing as there were some odd uses of punctuation and a few grammar and tense mix ups, as well as the wrong character name being used during a conversation.
Setting those points aside, this had the makings of a great story and, for the most part, it lived up to them. The second chance trope is a flexible one which also allows an author to throw in other plot twists and in this we also have an element of former friends turned enemies reconnecting.
Dialogue was at times clumsy, but overall it was a good couple of hours of time reading a sweet romance.
This one probably needed on more beta read or another run through editing as there were some odd uses of punctuation and a few grammar and tense mix ups, as well as the wrong character name being used during a conversation.
Setting those points aside, this had the makings of a great story and, for the most part, it lived up to them. The second chance trope is a flexible one which also allows an author to throw in other plot twists and in this we also have an element of former friends turned enemies reconnecting.
Dialogue was at times clumsy, but overall it was a good couple of hours of time reading a sweet romance.
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April 10, 2017Right from the start this book drew me in and didn’t let go. It was a page turner. The writing is fluid and captivating. The plot is well written.
The author made Hawthorne and Jacob into realistic and likeable characters. Strong, vulnarable and flawed. They both reacted differently after their fallout and that defined the men. Hawthorne walked the selfless path and chose to help homeless children find a home and safe heaven. Jacob buried himself in his work and thus became estranged from his son. He feels very guilty, but he shows strength and determination to alter his ways. Although they haven’t seen each other in many years, the attraction between Hawthorne and Jacob is still very much present. They have to deal with past and present actions before they can find their happily ever after.
The family dynamics play a prominent role in the story. There is the strained relationship between Jacob and his son Zach and his parents. On the other hand there is Hawthorne’s family, loving and supporting. Hiss mom is one sassy lady.
This book is a wonderful read. Don’t walk away from it, but grab this book. You won’t be disappointed.
The author made Hawthorne and Jacob into realistic and likeable characters. Strong, vulnarable and flawed. They both reacted differently after their fallout and that defined the men. Hawthorne walked the selfless path and chose to help homeless children find a home and safe heaven. Jacob buried himself in his work and thus became estranged from his son. He feels very guilty, but he shows strength and determination to alter his ways. Although they haven’t seen each other in many years, the attraction between Hawthorne and Jacob is still very much present. They have to deal with past and present actions before they can find their happily ever after.
The family dynamics play a prominent role in the story. There is the strained relationship between Jacob and his son Zach and his parents. On the other hand there is Hawthorne’s family, loving and supporting. Hiss mom is one sassy lady.
This book is a wonderful read. Don’t walk away from it, but grab this book. You won’t be disappointed.
May 17, 2017
This book was good, there were a few things that bothered me. How can I explain them.. it was as if you were expecting something to be explained and it wasn't, it just was resolved with no explanation. The use of wrong names at certain times was annoying but you knew who they meant.. the story was cute, the guys were great, the steam was delightful.. those little things bothered me a lot.. I wanted to know how zach felt about his dad being with a guy. I wanted to know what the fuck was up Jacobs parents ass.. they just apologized with a brief reason.
April 21, 2017
Hawthorne and Jacob will make your pulse race with their long-suppressed love and chemistry. Well thought out and written except for a mileage blip and it might have been better if they'd waited until Zachary had been located. Other than that, it was a really good read. Sweet, angsty and steamy. Looking forward to more from this author.
May 4, 2017
I really enjoyed this book.. Nah was such a self righteous ass, I hated him s character and wished fir a harsher end for him. I'm glad his negative words didn't put another end to Thorny and Jacob's relationship again.. it also showed much strength that Jacob's parents owned their mistakes and apologized. Awesome story with life experiences; great job done by the author. FANTASTIC!!
May 6, 2017
4.75 stars
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the main characters, and I can see where the next book is going. I also loved the back story about homeless kids etc. This is the first book I've read from this author, and I'll certainly read more
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the main characters, and I can see where the next book is going. I also loved the back story about homeless kids etc. This is the first book I've read from this author, and I'll certainly read more
April 10, 2017
This story had the best friends to lovers, a child, a close large family and the cold one, all the elements of a great read but it didn't end there I loved the nuances and twists the characters had flaws and no easy pre determined plot lines. Thank you and I can't wait for the next one.
April 10, 2017
I really, really liked this book by new to me author Ollie Sparks!!! This is the story of Hawthorne and Jacob....best friends all through childhood until circumstances beyond their control tore them apart. Both believing the worst of each other but still wishing they can be together. Then Jacob comes back to his hometown...back in Hawthorne's life needing his help to find his runaway son. In the midst of this they find time to fix misunderstandings and realize that the love they shared in that moment under the bleachers 15 years ago has never went away. I was enthralled from the very beginning....I hated to see it end. I am so glad that Noah got is just rewards in the end....very fitting I thought lol!!
I can't wait to see what is next for this series. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to everyone. Well done!!!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I can't wait to see what is next for this series. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to everyone. Well done!!!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 11, 2017
A very enjoyable read
This was a very good story for a debut novel.
Hawthorne and Jacob were best friends then didn't talk or see each other for 15 years then reconnected because Jacob's son ran away. I don't want to give anything away. The storyline was really good and kept me turning the page until I finished it.
I really hope we get a more books about Hawthorne's siblings.
This was a very good story for a debut novel.
Hawthorne and Jacob were best friends then didn't talk or see each other for 15 years then reconnected because Jacob's son ran away. I don't want to give anything away. The storyline was really good and kept me turning the page until I finished it.
I really hope we get a more books about Hawthorne's siblings.
April 11, 2017
SPOILERS - Hawthorne and Jacob were meant to be together. If it wasn't for an interfering friend, they may have spent years together. I was a little frustrated to hear that their whole separation could have been fixed if they just took the time to have a discussion before running away from each other. As it was, this story begins when they reconnect when Jacob is seeking help from Hawthorne in locating his son who has run away from home. One of the elements that I really liked about this story was the supporting members. Hawthorne's family are wonderful and entertaining. I think they really added to the story and were not just background noise. Overall, an enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2017
Really enjoyable!
Jacob and Hawthorne were best friends, until their first kiss happened. Then it went downhill from there. 15 years past and they meet again. And they get to have a second chance at being together. Very enjoyable book, looking forward to the next book.
Jacob and Hawthorne were best friends, until their first kiss happened. Then it went downhill from there. 15 years past and they meet again. And they get to have a second chance at being together. Very enjoyable book, looking forward to the next book.
April 14, 2017
Nice
A story about a misunderstanding resulting in various degrees of ripple effects. Now these two best friends see each other and it is time to figure out what to do and how to do it. Both main characters were likable!
A story about a misunderstanding resulting in various degrees of ripple effects. Now these two best friends see each other and it is time to figure out what to do and how to do it. Both main characters were likable!
April 15, 2017
Great read
I can already tell this will be a good series from Ollie. No doubt there will be a wedding as well a story for the missing Walker brother, Fremont. As reclusive and enigmatic as he sounds there is bound to be a really intriguing story for him. I'm excited about what's coming next. Great read.
I can already tell this will be a good series from Ollie. No doubt there will be a wedding as well a story for the missing Walker brother, Fremont. As reclusive and enigmatic as he sounds there is bound to be a really intriguing story for him. I'm excited about what's coming next. Great read.
May 3, 2017
2.75 stars
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews