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Lavender Shores #1
The Palisade
Confident businessman Joel Rhodes sees the small California town of Lavender Shores as nothing more than a business opportunity and a final stepping stone to the position he’s been working toward his entire life. It was supposed to be just one night in town to close the deal, and sleeping with one of the local men, no matter how gorgeous, meant nothing more than a few hours of fun.
Andrew Kelly is perfectly content with the life he has in his hometown. So much so that the only thing missing is someone to share it with. Going to bed with a tourist was never meant to be the answer to his dreams, just a beautiful distraction. He could get back to looking for Mr. Right the next day.
Both Andrew’s and Joel’s worlds are turned upside down when a few hours of pleasure get extended to a couple of days. Even that shouldn’t have been a big deal. You can’t fall in love in that amount of time. That isn’t how it works. However, if destinies collide, a few short days may be all it takes to find your soul mate. Even so, when secrets and motivations get tangled, fate may do nothing more than leave two hearts in pieces.
Andrew Kelly is perfectly content with the life he has in his hometown. So much so that the only thing missing is someone to share it with. Going to bed with a tourist was never meant to be the answer to his dreams, just a beautiful distraction. He could get back to looking for Mr. Right the next day.
Both Andrew’s and Joel’s worlds are turned upside down when a few hours of pleasure get extended to a couple of days. Even that shouldn’t have been a big deal. You can’t fall in love in that amount of time. That isn’t how it works. However, if destinies collide, a few short days may be all it takes to find your soul mate. Even so, when secrets and motivations get tangled, fate may do nothing more than leave two hearts in pieces.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2017
248 people are currently reading
662 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
June 29, 2017
Think Mayberry meets the porn channel. The Palisades is anything if not sweet, and there's plenty of sex, but the small town quirks were laid on thick.
One word: CHEESY.
The MCs were horny puppets, and the insta love was utterly ridiculous. You cannot fall in love in 24 hours. You can feel a connection or deep infatuation; you can fall in LUST, but it's. Not. Love.
I also found the dialogue and Andrew's parents and other secondary characters to be way OTT. Let's just agree that your father flirting with your crush and making comments about his penis is NOT funny.
Question 1: Imagine this in real life. Do you find it?
A. charming
B. creepy as fuck
Hint: there's only one right answer.
And why did Joel turn into a brodude during sex?
Fucking damn, man. Fuck yeah. That's my man, fuck yeah. Oh fuck yeah, man. That is a good hole. That's my man. Yes, take it all.
Question 2: This dirty talk is:
A. sexy
B. ridiculous
I didn't hate this story, but it was so corny, I almost sprained my eyeballs. I might read the second book if I'm desperate.
One word: CHEESY.
The MCs were horny puppets, and the insta love was utterly ridiculous. You cannot fall in love in 24 hours. You can feel a connection or deep infatuation; you can fall in LUST, but it's. Not. Love.
I also found the dialogue and Andrew's parents and other secondary characters to be way OTT. Let's just agree that your father flirting with your crush and making comments about his penis is NOT funny.
Question 1: Imagine this in real life. Do you find it?
A. charming
B. creepy as fuck
Hint: there's only one right answer.
And why did Joel turn into a brodude during sex?
Fucking damn, man. Fuck yeah. That's my man, fuck yeah. Oh fuck yeah, man. That is a good hole. That's my man. Yes, take it all.
Question 2: This dirty talk is:
A. sexy
B. ridiculous
I didn't hate this story, but it was so corny, I almost sprained my eyeballs. I might read the second book if I'm desperate.
June 27, 2017
3 Stars.
This has got brilliant reviews and I'm definitely in the minority here but this was just an average read for me.
The setting is certainly beautiful,
The residents are so engaging and quirky,
The writing is extremely good,
But,I seriously couldn't get over the insta-love.Sometimes it works but it didn't here,unfortunately.
And the problem is I'm really conflicted.
I could really feel the chemistry between Andrew and Joel,I absolutely loved the romance but the L word came way too quickly for this to be credible
The sex scenes are pretty hot but didn't do a lot for me and I started skimming....and I'm sorry but the dirty talk just felt forced,
This has got brilliant reviews and I'm definitely in the minority here but this was just an average read for me.
The setting is certainly beautiful,
The residents are so engaging and quirky,
The writing is extremely good,
But,I seriously couldn't get over the insta-love.Sometimes it works but it didn't here,unfortunately.
And the problem is I'm really conflicted.
I could really feel the chemistry between Andrew and Joel,I absolutely loved the romance but the L word came way too quickly for this to be credible
The sex scenes are pretty hot but didn't do a lot for me and I started skimming....and I'm sorry but the dirty talk just felt forced,
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December 18, 2022
RATING 4.5 STARS
The Palisade is book one in the Lavender Shores series by Rosalind Abel. This is my very first book by Rosalind. I’ve owned it for quite a while. I honestly don’t know why I waited so long to finally read it because it was just wonderful.
Andrew Kelly is thirty three years old and works as a real estate agent in the tiny town, Lavender Shores, on the coast of Northern California. He loves living in this town. It’s his home and always will be. On the night of his older brother’s birthday dinner, he first saw him at the bar. Their eyes met and he couldn’t look away. It was only supposed to be a one night stand but in that one night, Andrew found what he’d been missing from his life all these years. He found love.
Joel Rhodes is thirty five years old and works for his father’s huge corporation in San Francisco. He has spent his life trying to please his father, trying to prove that he is worthy of moving up in the company. Which is why he is in Lavender Shores. As soon as he looked across the bar and saw the man with the beautiful blue eyes, he knew he needed him. It was meant to be just for the night. Or maybe he could try to lengthen his trip to two nights to have a little bit more time with him. But then he’d have to return to his life in San Francisco.
All it took was a touch of hands for both Joel and Andrew to know that this was something more. And when they were given more time together, their feelings quickly blossomed! It should be impossible to fall in love with someone in only twenty four hours but it was happening. Only Joel is keeping secrets. Andrew doesn’t know why he is really in Lavender Shores and who his father really is. Once he finds out, will it be the end? Or will Joel be able to figure out a way to have it all, to please his father and also to be with Andrew?
I loved these two and I also adored this little community. Andrew’s father was a total hoot! I mean, he had no filter what-so-ever!! It is such a fairy tale little town. I could picture myself living there. I felt terrible for Joel and for the way his father treated him, for the way he still tried so hard to please him. I think fate found these two when they most needed it and showed them the kind of life they deserved, together. They had some hurdles to jump before they could make that happen but I knew they’d find their way. I can’t wait to read book two, The Garden, which will be Andrew’s best friend, Gilbert’s book. We met him in this book and I am so looking forward to his story.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
The Palisade is book one in the Lavender Shores series by Rosalind Abel. This is my very first book by Rosalind. I’ve owned it for quite a while. I honestly don’t know why I waited so long to finally read it because it was just wonderful.
Andrew Kelly is thirty three years old and works as a real estate agent in the tiny town, Lavender Shores, on the coast of Northern California. He loves living in this town. It’s his home and always will be. On the night of his older brother’s birthday dinner, he first saw him at the bar. Their eyes met and he couldn’t look away. It was only supposed to be a one night stand but in that one night, Andrew found what he’d been missing from his life all these years. He found love.
Joel Rhodes is thirty five years old and works for his father’s huge corporation in San Francisco. He has spent his life trying to please his father, trying to prove that he is worthy of moving up in the company. Which is why he is in Lavender Shores. As soon as he looked across the bar and saw the man with the beautiful blue eyes, he knew he needed him. It was meant to be just for the night. Or maybe he could try to lengthen his trip to two nights to have a little bit more time with him. But then he’d have to return to his life in San Francisco.
All it took was a touch of hands for both Joel and Andrew to know that this was something more. And when they were given more time together, their feelings quickly blossomed! It should be impossible to fall in love with someone in only twenty four hours but it was happening. Only Joel is keeping secrets. Andrew doesn’t know why he is really in Lavender Shores and who his father really is. Once he finds out, will it be the end? Or will Joel be able to figure out a way to have it all, to please his father and also to be with Andrew?
I loved these two and I also adored this little community. Andrew’s father was a total hoot! I mean, he had no filter what-so-ever!! It is such a fairy tale little town. I could picture myself living there. I felt terrible for Joel and for the way his father treated him, for the way he still tried so hard to please him. I think fate found these two when they most needed it and showed them the kind of life they deserved, together. They had some hurdles to jump before they could make that happen but I knew they’d find their way. I can’t wait to read book two, The Garden, which will be Andrew’s best friend, Gilbert’s book. We met him in this book and I am so looking forward to his story.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
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June 20, 2017Very sweet book by Rosalind Abel, the MUCH more sexy, romantic pen name of Brandon Witt. If you like small town, low-ish angst, quick to love/sex stories with a likeable cast of secondary characters and a reformed rake trope, then check this one out. While it wasn't quite my usual taste, I think most readers will eat this book up!
June 28, 2017
Boy howdy, did I love this book!
This shouldn’t have worked for me. One of the things I dislike the most in stories is a lack of communication; followed closely by secret keeping. Both of these breed mistrust and could easily be avoided if the morons would just talk to each other. This story has more of the keeping secrets issue than the lack of communication, so it shouldn’t have worked. Like, at all. But it did. On so many levels.
Joel has come to Lavender Shores at the behest of his millionaire father to secure a location for their new flagship coffee shop. It doesn’t matter if the laws in this sleepy town by the sea prohibit anyone from opening a chain of any kind, nor does it matter if they only allow one of each type of business to be open at a time. His father wants it so he’s going to get it, even if it means throwing his son in front of the firing line.
Andrew was born in Lavender Shores and has no intention or desire to ever leave. He loves his quaint, odd-ball little town. He couldn’t picture himself living anywhere else. It may have caused him some serious heartache throughout the years as every guy he’s dated eventually left but it’s worth it to him to wake up every morning in what he feels is the best place in the world to live. His dream of white picket fences, two dogs and three kids seems to get farther and farther away as the years go by but he hasn’t given up on it yet. He knows he’ll have his dream someday, but while he’s waiting for Mr. Everything to show up he’s gonna have some fun. And it looks like Mr. Fun just showed up.
Lordy, is it getting hot in here?
Man, y’all, this book is soooo romantic! Completely swoon worthy. What starts out as an incendiary eye-fuck across the room and a burn-the-hotel-to-the-ground one night stand swiftly progresses to one of the most romantically romantic romances I’ve read in a while. I tell you, I had hearts in my eyes and was in danger of falling out of my chair in a swoon to rival any Southern belle. Here, let me give you a little taste of what it feels like to have your heart burst from an overflowing of emotion:
The writing in this book is superb. It’s been a while since I was sucked into a book so far that I couldn’t tell where their lives ended and mine began. The outpouring of emotions, from love, laughter, anger, despair had my heart so full that it leaked out of my eyes. I cried a lot during this book. I cried happy tears, I cried angry tears and I cried tears just because my body didn’t know how else to deal with all of the feelings I was having. It was just so… so… charming! It charmed the pants right off me.
I’m so glad I took a chance on this book. To think, if I had passed this up I would’ve missed out on Andrew’s sweet innocence, on watching Joel’s whole world light up over a simple baseball card, on meeting Andrew’s family – especially his dad. Andrew’s dad is in a class of his own. You gotta meet him, people! You’ll be sorry if you don’t, I can promise you that. I’m also squee-worthy excited that there are more books to come in this amazing series. I cannot wait to read the next book. Cannot. Wait.
So, if you haven’t guessed by now from my review, I highly, highly highly recommend this book to all you romance lovers out there. This one’s for the history books, my friends.
Gah!
Love this book!
This shouldn’t have worked for me. One of the things I dislike the most in stories is a lack of communication; followed closely by secret keeping. Both of these breed mistrust and could easily be avoided if the morons would just talk to each other. This story has more of the keeping secrets issue than the lack of communication, so it shouldn’t have worked. Like, at all. But it did. On so many levels.
Joel has come to Lavender Shores at the behest of his millionaire father to secure a location for their new flagship coffee shop. It doesn’t matter if the laws in this sleepy town by the sea prohibit anyone from opening a chain of any kind, nor does it matter if they only allow one of each type of business to be open at a time. His father wants it so he’s going to get it, even if it means throwing his son in front of the firing line.
Andrew was born in Lavender Shores and has no intention or desire to ever leave. He loves his quaint, odd-ball little town. He couldn’t picture himself living anywhere else. It may have caused him some serious heartache throughout the years as every guy he’s dated eventually left but it’s worth it to him to wake up every morning in what he feels is the best place in the world to live. His dream of white picket fences, two dogs and three kids seems to get farther and farther away as the years go by but he hasn’t given up on it yet. He knows he’ll have his dream someday, but while he’s waiting for Mr. Everything to show up he’s gonna have some fun. And it looks like Mr. Fun just showed up.
He was going to taste me. Lick me. Bite me. Devour me.
Lordy, is it getting hot in here?
Man, y’all, this book is soooo romantic! Completely swoon worthy. What starts out as an incendiary eye-fuck across the room and a burn-the-hotel-to-the-ground one night stand swiftly progresses to one of the most romantically romantic romances I’ve read in a while. I tell you, I had hearts in my eyes and was in danger of falling out of my chair in a swoon to rival any Southern belle. Here, let me give you a little taste of what it feels like to have your heart burst from an overflowing of emotion:
[…]he looked into my eyes, and I saw the forever. Past the heat and lust, I saw forever. Saw our lives in this little house. Saw three kids. Two dogs. Saw laughter, fights, and love-making. Saw our hands clasped as our skin aged.
I saw his declaration of love in his green eyes as clearly as my heart shouted it from my chest.
The writing in this book is superb. It’s been a while since I was sucked into a book so far that I couldn’t tell where their lives ended and mine began. The outpouring of emotions, from love, laughter, anger, despair had my heart so full that it leaked out of my eyes. I cried a lot during this book. I cried happy tears, I cried angry tears and I cried tears just because my body didn’t know how else to deal with all of the feelings I was having. It was just so… so… charming! It charmed the pants right off me.
I’m so glad I took a chance on this book. To think, if I had passed this up I would’ve missed out on Andrew’s sweet innocence, on watching Joel’s whole world light up over a simple baseball card, on meeting Andrew’s family – especially his dad. Andrew’s dad is in a class of his own. You gotta meet him, people! You’ll be sorry if you don’t, I can promise you that. I’m also squee-worthy excited that there are more books to come in this amazing series. I cannot wait to read the next book. Cannot. Wait.
So, if you haven’t guessed by now from my review, I highly, highly highly recommend this book to all you romance lovers out there. This one’s for the history books, my friends.
Gah!
Love this book!
i-m-a-quitter
June 26, 2017DNF @25%
I wasn't feeling this one.
The insta-love/insta-lust just didn't work for me.
I wasn't feeling this one.
The insta-love/insta-lust just didn't work for me.
July 26, 2023
Amazing! I love some insta love. Don’t know why people are so against it. Beautiful HEA. Beautiful story. Love Andrew.
Reread April 2020 and putting this as 5 star rating instead of 4 star.
Reread August 2022.
Reread July 2023
Reread April 2020 and putting this as 5 star rating instead of 4 star.
Reread August 2022.
Reread July 2023
June 20, 2017
The Palisade is now available on Amazon AND it's also on KU!
The Palisade is the first book in the new Lavender Shores series, with a new book coming each month - The Garden (July 2017); The Veranda (August 2017); The Shipwreck (September 2017) and The Hideaway (October 2017). The author has created a rather extensive website about the town of Lavender Shores and its residents.
Andrew Kelly's family was one of the founding families of Lavender Shores, a small community about an hour out of San Francisco, surrounded by the Point Reyes National Seashore. Andrew's heart belongs to Lavender Shores:
There's a lot of heart to this story and I'm really looking forward to reading more about Lavender Shores. 4.5 stars!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
The Palisade is the first book in the new Lavender Shores series, with a new book coming each month - The Garden (July 2017); The Veranda (August 2017); The Shipwreck (September 2017) and The Hideaway (October 2017). The author has created a rather extensive website about the town of Lavender Shores and its residents.
Andrew Kelly's family was one of the founding families of Lavender Shores, a small community about an hour out of San Francisco, surrounded by the Point Reyes National Seashore. Andrew's heart belongs to Lavender Shores:
The rest of the world was fine, but Lavender Shores was in my blood, as much a part of me as anything else. In my twenties, I’d still sit at the top of the palisade staring out at the sea, and dream of a man coming to town and loving me.Joel Rhodes arrives in Lavender Shores with a mission - yet another test from his impossible-to-please father. He's willing to do whatever it takes, until he gets to know Andrew and realizes that maybe there is something more important:
Maybe it was time to tell Andrew that I hadn’t intended to meet someone like him. That I’d never met anyone like him. Who made me feel like he did. How the hell was I supposed to know someone like him even existed?There is an immediate sexual sizzle, a whole blazing bonfire of lust and attraction, between the two men, but what takes them by surprise is the love that rapidly develops. Usually I'm not the biggest fan of insta-love, but it really works here. I also like how this book sets up the series, introducing us to the community and some of its residents without sacrificing Joel and Andrew's story.
There's a lot of heart to this story and I'm really looking forward to reading more about Lavender Shores. 4.5 stars!
Make sure, when your dreams finally start to come true, you notice. Don’t let it pass without noticing. Most people do.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
June 26, 2017
What to say ??
It has the ingredients of a lovely and sexy romance : nice characters , main and secondary, picturesque settings (the author dedicated a site with pics of the persons and the town : nice !!), no angst, good chemistry and some hot sex. And the writing is good.
But Holly Molly, it should come with a huge warning : insta-love, with an emphasis on “insta”. So much that this very early BAM threw me out of the game !! Even the MCs couldn’t believe it : I can’t blame them.
I will still read the next book, but hoping there will be more “substance” in the romance side.
It has the ingredients of a lovely and sexy romance : nice characters , main and secondary, picturesque settings (the author dedicated a site with pics of the persons and the town : nice !!), no angst, good chemistry and some hot sex. And the writing is good.
But Holly Molly, it should come with a huge warning : insta-love, with an emphasis on “insta”. So much that this very early BAM threw me out of the game !! Even the MCs couldn’t believe it : I can’t blame them.
I will still read the next book, but hoping there will be more “substance” in the romance side.
October 18, 2018
This book was light and hot. But I didn't expect the insta-love here.
Both men were gorgeous and fell in love in a matter of days. One kept secrets. Both got heartbroken.
And well the ending was predictable. BUT overall I enjoyed it. What can I say, I needed a light read at the moment and I got it. Glad it was free on Amazon.
Both men were gorgeous and fell in love in a matter of days. One kept secrets. Both got heartbroken.
And well the ending was predictable. BUT overall I enjoyed it. What can I say, I needed a light read at the moment and I got it. Glad it was free on Amazon.
June 20, 2017
I want to visit Lavender Shores!
4.5 Stars but rounded up because Rosalind (Brandon) made me cry both sad and happy tears! With a ridiculously romantic plot, mixed with seriously steamy sex and some dirty, dirty dialogue, this story was such a pleasure to read. Andrew Kelly was the quintessential small-town guy, who had no desire to live outside the idyllic town of Lavender Shores. Joel Rhodes was just supposed to be a one-night stand but by the next day, neither can deny their connection and chemistry.
I was pretty aggravated with Joel so many times in the story, as he tried very hard to find a way to keep his coffee and drink it too. Poor Andrew, so afraid to believe his dreams might come true but with no clue of what he was up against. I felt so much with both these characters. It was beautiful and sexy and heartbreaking by turns. I love it when I identify with characters so much that I do get tears when one is hurting and want to smack one for being so stupid and thoughtless.
I felt a bit of disconnect over the situation between Joel, his dad, and his mom. I think a little bit more history was needed there to really understand why Joel acted as he did. But it didn't make a difference to my enjoyment of the eventual outcome. I really liked Andrew with his strong personality, who knew how to stand up for himself and what he deserved. His dad and Regina were a hoot, inappropriate without being OTT, and added some great humor. Romance lovers, this is a book you don't want to miss.
4.5 Stars but rounded up because Rosalind (Brandon) made me cry both sad and happy tears! With a ridiculously romantic plot, mixed with seriously steamy sex and some dirty, dirty dialogue, this story was such a pleasure to read. Andrew Kelly was the quintessential small-town guy, who had no desire to live outside the idyllic town of Lavender Shores. Joel Rhodes was just supposed to be a one-night stand but by the next day, neither can deny their connection and chemistry.
I was pretty aggravated with Joel so many times in the story, as he tried very hard to find a way to keep his coffee and drink it too. Poor Andrew, so afraid to believe his dreams might come true but with no clue of what he was up against. I felt so much with both these characters. It was beautiful and sexy and heartbreaking by turns. I love it when I identify with characters so much that I do get tears when one is hurting and want to smack one for being so stupid and thoughtless.
I felt a bit of disconnect over the situation between Joel, his dad, and his mom. I think a little bit more history was needed there to really understand why Joel acted as he did. But it didn't make a difference to my enjoyment of the eventual outcome. I really liked Andrew with his strong personality, who knew how to stand up for himself and what he deserved. His dad and Regina were a hoot, inappropriate without being OTT, and added some great humor. Romance lovers, this is a book you don't want to miss.
November 11, 2017
2 stars for the scenary, i would love to visit Lavender shores.
The rest:......
Hmmmmm! the cover is a lie. (IMO) i went in hoping for a really good romance book but i was disappointed, but maybe its just me, there are some good reviews.
I do not have a problem with reading Insta-Love books but this was so cheesy.
The dialogue was i can't even explain, the Sex, the dirty talk ummm!
The secondary characters were OTT, now i don't also mind OTT but this was just,just.... the dad was so inappropriate.
I tried to like this but it just rubbed me the wrong way, but i will give the author and this series another chance.
For me this was a miss..
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The rest:......
Hmmmmm! the cover is a lie. (IMO) i went in hoping for a really good romance book but i was disappointed, but maybe its just me, there are some good reviews.
I do not have a problem with reading Insta-Love books but this was so cheesy.
The dialogue was i can't even explain, the Sex, the dirty talk ummm!
The secondary characters were OTT, now i don't also mind OTT but this was just,just.... the dad was so inappropriate.
I tried to like this but it just rubbed me the wrong way, but i will give the author and this series another chance.
For me this was a miss..
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January 11, 2018
So...I'm just wondering...
Where do I send my dental bill? Because by the end of this one, I'm pretty sure I've got a couple of cavities...'The Palisade' was most definitely one of the sweetest...to the point of being cavity inducing books that I've read in quite a while...ok, listened to.
The only thing that might have beat the sweetness quotient on this would be the sex. Seriously the bunnies called and well...they're jealous...although me and the bunnies agreed we're not sure about the dirty talk...sometimes, it just wasn't working too well for me and I admit there might have been a raised eyebrow or two.
Ok, so once we get past the sweetness and the sex there is a story which starts with a really strong dose of insta-love and by that I mean 'wham, bam, thank you ma'am, whiplash inducing insta-love'. But thankfully the road to happiness wasn't all sunshine and light for these two and there were obstacles to be overcome before Andrew and Joel could claim their happily ever after. Add to this some rather interesting bordering on bizarre parents...mostly Andrew's father whose fixation on his gay son's love life and male penises...including Joel's was at times a wee bit disturbing but irregardless of all this there was a sweet little love story in here that kept me listening and wanting Andrew and Joel to figure things out and find a way to be together and the thing that really held things together and kept me listening was the narrator.
Kirt Graves gave a solid narration with this book and his voices ticked off the things that hold my interest with an audio book and kept me engaged to the end.
I've held off on this series for a while now but when I got the opportunity to listen to the, 'The Garden', the next book on audio, I decided that regardless of whether or not it could be read as a standalone I wanted to read/listen to the first book before I did that and truthfully I'm glad I did because while I probably could have listened to 'The Garden' without benefit of this story I think I'm going to be enjoy it more for having listened to 'The Palisade' first there's definitely background for Gilbert here that while not crucial, it's still going to be good to know. So now you know what I'm up to next...yeah, that's right I've got 'The Garden' playing as I'm typing this so I'll be back later to let you know how that went.
Where do I send my dental bill? Because by the end of this one, I'm pretty sure I've got a couple of cavities...'The Palisade' was most definitely one of the sweetest...to the point of being cavity inducing books that I've read in quite a while...ok, listened to.
The only thing that might have beat the sweetness quotient on this would be the sex. Seriously the bunnies called and well...they're jealous...although me and the bunnies agreed we're not sure about the dirty talk...sometimes, it just wasn't working too well for me and I admit there might have been a raised eyebrow or two.
Ok, so once we get past the sweetness and the sex there is a story which starts with a really strong dose of insta-love and by that I mean 'wham, bam, thank you ma'am, whiplash inducing insta-love'. But thankfully the road to happiness wasn't all sunshine and light for these two and there were obstacles to be overcome before Andrew and Joel could claim their happily ever after. Add to this some rather interesting bordering on bizarre parents...mostly Andrew's father whose fixation on his gay son's love life and male penises...including Joel's was at times a wee bit disturbing but irregardless of all this there was a sweet little love story in here that kept me listening and wanting Andrew and Joel to figure things out and find a way to be together and the thing that really held things together and kept me listening was the narrator.
Kirt Graves gave a solid narration with this book and his voices ticked off the things that hold my interest with an audio book and kept me engaged to the end.
I've held off on this series for a while now but when I got the opportunity to listen to the, 'The Garden', the next book on audio, I decided that regardless of whether or not it could be read as a standalone I wanted to read/listen to the first book before I did that and truthfully I'm glad I did because while I probably could have listened to 'The Garden' without benefit of this story I think I'm going to be enjoy it more for having listened to 'The Palisade' first there's definitely background for Gilbert here that while not crucial, it's still going to be good to know. So now you know what I'm up to next...yeah, that's right I've got 'The Garden' playing as I'm typing this so I'll be back later to let you know how that went.
January 11, 2018
This is a great introduction for this new series
3.5*
This one almost got up to 4* but it was just a little bit cheesy dialogue in places to get that extra bit.
However, it was also a cracking good introduction to this series from the new pen name of an already established author and I really enjoyed it.
Usually I'm not a fan of the insta love trope outside of a paranormal shifter narrative where it makes more sense to have bonded or fated mates. However, in this one Andrew and Joel's intense connection over a long weekend actually worked really well.
There's some gorgeous use of language in this romance to highlight the emotional nature of their relationship and the sex scenes are right on point (pun intended) and fit perfectly in their placement during the story narrative.
It follows the usual premise of a MM romance by having a crisis point at 75% which is another reason for dropping a rating, but it's well resolved and has a delightful epilogue to wrap things up.
3.5*
This one almost got up to 4* but it was just a little bit cheesy dialogue in places to get that extra bit.
However, it was also a cracking good introduction to this series from the new pen name of an already established author and I really enjoyed it.
Usually I'm not a fan of the insta love trope outside of a paranormal shifter narrative where it makes more sense to have bonded or fated mates. However, in this one Andrew and Joel's intense connection over a long weekend actually worked really well.
There's some gorgeous use of language in this romance to highlight the emotional nature of their relationship and the sex scenes are right on point (pun intended) and fit perfectly in their placement during the story narrative.
It follows the usual premise of a MM romance by having a crisis point at 75% which is another reason for dropping a rating, but it's well resolved and has a delightful epilogue to wrap things up.
June 24, 2017
That was a cute story, if in a clichéd, unrealistic way. This is good for between reads, but don't take it too seriously.
June 20, 2017
Review originally posted at Sinfully.
4.5 stars!
If you read my reviews you know I’m a fan of Brandon Witt’s emotional, angsty books. When I found out he was launching a new line of romance stories under the name Rosalind Abel (to distinguish from his gay fiction) I knew I had to check it out. So, for those of you who feared reading him because of his heavy storylines, this is the book you want to read. I absolutely loved it! It’s low angst, all out romance with plenty of hot sex and two MCs you will be rooting for from page one.
Andrew is a complete romantic. He is content with his life, living in the idyllic, LGBT-friendly community of Lavender Shore and can’t imagine living anywhere else. This has led to a string of failed relationships as many men can’t imagine staying in such a small, close community. Even Andrew’s best friend Gilbert, the son of another founding family, up and left as soon as he could.
Joel would seem to be the heir apparent to the Harvest Coffee empire, but not if you ask his father. The man tests him and degrades him at every turn. Joel is in Lavender Shores to score a location for their new Comfort Coffee flagship store. A few days to seal the deal and he’s gone. If he gets this taken care of it should prove to his father that he is ready to take his place next in line to run Harvest Coffee. It’s not going to be easy, Lavender Shores is unlike most places, and Joel is about to find out just how tough it will be, especially after meeting Andrew.
When Andrew and Joel first lay eyes on each other there is an instant attraction. Before their hook up is even starting, both men feel something more. There is insta-lust and insta-love, the sex is hot, Joel’s mouth is dirty and it all worked for me. These two can’t get enough of each other and I couldn’t get enough of them. As Andrew helps Joel scout out a place for his business, Joel is keeping a secret; he can’t let Andrew know just what the business plans are. The two grow closer, spending every minute of their few days together, falling in love. The insta-love perplexes the MCs but as much as their logical minds want to, they can’t deny that what their hearts, bodies and souls are screaming – they are meant to be together. But Joel is lying and when Andrew finds out it’s a devastating blow. Is running from Lavender Shores back to the fast-paced but unsatisfying life Joel lives the right move?
This book gushes romance. I was enraptured. I loved the MCs, who have off-the-charts chemistry, there’s plenty of tension, thanks to the lie that hovers between Andrew and Joel, and the setting is beautiful. Andrew is wonderful from the moment he appears. He knows who he is and what he wants, but he hasn’t quite reached out and grabbed it. Joel… I wanted to shake him. He is living to please a father that, at best, is indifferent towards him but mostly appears disgusted. He is confident in his business abilities, but his father keeps blocking him. The happiness he feels with Andrew is something he will never have if his father has his way. Frankly, Joel needed to grow a pair and reassess his life. I loved watching him fight that internal battle as he is clear that Andrew is everything he could ever want in another person, but just can’t quite remove himself from the path he has chosen.
This first book sets up the town and some of its inhabitants very nicely. Andrew’s, and his best-friend Gilbert’s parents, two of the town’s founding families, are quite entertaining. At times they bordered on over the top, but never pushed over that line. Gilbert, who couldn’t run from the town fast enough, has quite a story to tell, and will be the subject of the next book, and Andrew’s brother, the romance writer who needs a career boost was also prominently featured.
With a book a month planned through October, I can only hope that the momentum of this first story continues. The Palisade was emotional, entertaining and full of the romance and hot loving that I was promised. If you’re a romance junkie, I can’t recommend it enough - just go grab it.
4.5 stars!
If you read my reviews you know I’m a fan of Brandon Witt’s emotional, angsty books. When I found out he was launching a new line of romance stories under the name Rosalind Abel (to distinguish from his gay fiction) I knew I had to check it out. So, for those of you who feared reading him because of his heavy storylines, this is the book you want to read. I absolutely loved it! It’s low angst, all out romance with plenty of hot sex and two MCs you will be rooting for from page one.
Andrew is a complete romantic. He is content with his life, living in the idyllic, LGBT-friendly community of Lavender Shore and can’t imagine living anywhere else. This has led to a string of failed relationships as many men can’t imagine staying in such a small, close community. Even Andrew’s best friend Gilbert, the son of another founding family, up and left as soon as he could.
Joel would seem to be the heir apparent to the Harvest Coffee empire, but not if you ask his father. The man tests him and degrades him at every turn. Joel is in Lavender Shores to score a location for their new Comfort Coffee flagship store. A few days to seal the deal and he’s gone. If he gets this taken care of it should prove to his father that he is ready to take his place next in line to run Harvest Coffee. It’s not going to be easy, Lavender Shores is unlike most places, and Joel is about to find out just how tough it will be, especially after meeting Andrew.
When Andrew and Joel first lay eyes on each other there is an instant attraction. Before their hook up is even starting, both men feel something more. There is insta-lust and insta-love, the sex is hot, Joel’s mouth is dirty and it all worked for me. These two can’t get enough of each other and I couldn’t get enough of them. As Andrew helps Joel scout out a place for his business, Joel is keeping a secret; he can’t let Andrew know just what the business plans are. The two grow closer, spending every minute of their few days together, falling in love. The insta-love perplexes the MCs but as much as their logical minds want to, they can’t deny that what their hearts, bodies and souls are screaming – they are meant to be together. But Joel is lying and when Andrew finds out it’s a devastating blow. Is running from Lavender Shores back to the fast-paced but unsatisfying life Joel lives the right move?
This book gushes romance. I was enraptured. I loved the MCs, who have off-the-charts chemistry, there’s plenty of tension, thanks to the lie that hovers between Andrew and Joel, and the setting is beautiful. Andrew is wonderful from the moment he appears. He knows who he is and what he wants, but he hasn’t quite reached out and grabbed it. Joel… I wanted to shake him. He is living to please a father that, at best, is indifferent towards him but mostly appears disgusted. He is confident in his business abilities, but his father keeps blocking him. The happiness he feels with Andrew is something he will never have if his father has his way. Frankly, Joel needed to grow a pair and reassess his life. I loved watching him fight that internal battle as he is clear that Andrew is everything he could ever want in another person, but just can’t quite remove himself from the path he has chosen.
This first book sets up the town and some of its inhabitants very nicely. Andrew’s, and his best-friend Gilbert’s parents, two of the town’s founding families, are quite entertaining. At times they bordered on over the top, but never pushed over that line. Gilbert, who couldn’t run from the town fast enough, has quite a story to tell, and will be the subject of the next book, and Andrew’s brother, the romance writer who needs a career boost was also prominently featured.
With a book a month planned through October, I can only hope that the momentum of this first story continues. The Palisade was emotional, entertaining and full of the romance and hot loving that I was promised. If you’re a romance junkie, I can’t recommend it enough - just go grab it.
June 17, 2017
4.5 stars!
Lavender Shores is a new series by Rosalind Abel (aka Brandon Witt), and it's certainly off to a great start.
In this first book, we meet Andrew Kelly, whose family was one of the founders of Lavender Shores, a small tourist town/LGBTQ haven north of San Francisco, bordered by the Point Reyes National Seaboard. I've never been in that area, but the descriptions of the landscape in the book paint a gorgeous picture.
Joel Rhodes has come to Lavender Shores at the behest of his father and boss to scope out the town for a new flagship store for his father's coffee empire, and close a deal for the store. He knows this is likely a test, one he's willing to take, but also realizes that he likely will never please his father despite his best efforts. It was fairly easy to feel kind of sorry for Joel from the start.
They first meet at a local restaurant where Andrew's family is celebrating his older brother's birthday and Joel just happens to be in the same restaurant the evening he arrives in town. Attraction is immediate and fiery, and Joel and Andrew spend a hot night together.
The very next day Joel is both delighted and dismayed to discover that Andrew is a real estate agent, handling the commercial properties. As they thus meet again, and as their night of passion still lingers, the two men spend more time getting to know each other. An extra day leads to a week, and falling in love happens quicker than either of them thought.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Like I said in my final update, there's hot sex, a ton of emotion, a tight narrative, and a well-chosen location, with excellent use of romance tropes - what's not to love?
There's a bit of angst, of course, because there has to be. Falling in love in a week, developing such a strong bond in such a short amount of time - there's got to be some angst to level out that playing field. Joel's in a terrible position, what with his father's expectations and his own desires at complete opposites, and Andrew is unable and unwilling to leave Lavender Shores behind, happy and content to stay in the small town he calls home - thus theirs is not a smooth ride to everlasting happiness.
But love will find a way, and there's the most amazing and teary-eye-causing happy ending, and I was overjoyed to see them so in love. Joel finds in Andrew what he's been missing most his life. And Andrew gets exactly what he's dreamed of for so long.
A sweeping romance, excellent pacing, and a cast of fantastic characters (Andrew's dad is a hoot), except perhaps Joel's father, who was a bit of a caricature horrible man, made this book a fabulous read and a real page-turner. There are quite a few sexy times inside but none of them felt superfluous and all of them helped move the relationship and thus the plot forward. I also want to point out that this being the first in a series, the author did a fantastic job introducing the town and its people without it distracting from the main couple's romance.
Highly recommended. I can hardly wait for the next installment.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author. A positive review was not promised in return. **
Lavender Shores is a new series by Rosalind Abel (aka Brandon Witt), and it's certainly off to a great start.
In this first book, we meet Andrew Kelly, whose family was one of the founders of Lavender Shores, a small tourist town/LGBTQ haven north of San Francisco, bordered by the Point Reyes National Seaboard. I've never been in that area, but the descriptions of the landscape in the book paint a gorgeous picture.
Joel Rhodes has come to Lavender Shores at the behest of his father and boss to scope out the town for a new flagship store for his father's coffee empire, and close a deal for the store. He knows this is likely a test, one he's willing to take, but also realizes that he likely will never please his father despite his best efforts. It was fairly easy to feel kind of sorry for Joel from the start.
They first meet at a local restaurant where Andrew's family is celebrating his older brother's birthday and Joel just happens to be in the same restaurant the evening he arrives in town. Attraction is immediate and fiery, and Joel and Andrew spend a hot night together.
The very next day Joel is both delighted and dismayed to discover that Andrew is a real estate agent, handling the commercial properties. As they thus meet again, and as their night of passion still lingers, the two men spend more time getting to know each other. An extra day leads to a week, and falling in love happens quicker than either of them thought.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Like I said in my final update, there's hot sex, a ton of emotion, a tight narrative, and a well-chosen location, with excellent use of romance tropes - what's not to love?
There's a bit of angst, of course, because there has to be. Falling in love in a week, developing such a strong bond in such a short amount of time - there's got to be some angst to level out that playing field. Joel's in a terrible position, what with his father's expectations and his own desires at complete opposites, and Andrew is unable and unwilling to leave Lavender Shores behind, happy and content to stay in the small town he calls home - thus theirs is not a smooth ride to everlasting happiness.
But love will find a way, and there's the most amazing and teary-eye-causing happy ending, and I was overjoyed to see them so in love. Joel finds in Andrew what he's been missing most his life. And Andrew gets exactly what he's dreamed of for so long.
A sweeping romance, excellent pacing, and a cast of fantastic characters (Andrew's dad is a hoot), except perhaps Joel's father, who was a bit of a caricature horrible man, made this book a fabulous read and a real page-turner. There are quite a few sexy times inside but none of them felt superfluous and all of them helped move the relationship and thus the plot forward. I also want to point out that this being the first in a series, the author did a fantastic job introducing the town and its people without it distracting from the main couple's romance.
Highly recommended. I can hardly wait for the next installment.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author. A positive review was not promised in return. **
abandoned
April 6, 2018Jesus Christ. While I would have liked a little more sex in the author's previous books, this really kills it. Not to mention that the characters are anything but lifelike...
This is like 'Another Gay Movie' as a romance novel.
And Andrew's dad...OMG. No, thank you ;-)
This is like 'Another Gay Movie' as a romance novel.
And Andrew's dad...OMG. No, thank you ;-)
June 5, 2018
**3.5 stars**
This book is sweet and low angst read. I liked how Lavender Shore was described! The scenery image is amazing. The closeness of everybody in town is nice but can become slightly annoying. The family dinner was a little too much for me. As if trying to show us how accepting the town is to gay people the conversation takes a turn to absurd. And the whole plot is slightly predictable.
Joel is a businessman scouting the town. He is handsome and polished. He knows what he want and goes for it. Andrew is a local man with dreams about family and home. Two very different people wanting different things at first. But somehow they click.
The s*e*x would have been really hot if Joel didn't talk. His attempt at dirty talk was a little cringe worthy and I skipped some sexy pages because of it. Andrew's insta-love was another thing that made me like this book less. I hoped for a different way for the relationship to start and go. Another one was that when Joel left it took him so long to try and get Andrew back that I was doubting all the 'I love yous' that he said. It was a lot of waiting and doing nothing and then suddenly he shows up back in Andrew's life. It felt a little disconnected to me. Otherwise it was an ok read.
This book is sweet and low angst read. I liked how Lavender Shore was described! The scenery image is amazing. The closeness of everybody in town is nice but can become slightly annoying. The family dinner was a little too much for me. As if trying to show us how accepting the town is to gay people the conversation takes a turn to absurd. And the whole plot is slightly predictable.
Joel is a businessman scouting the town. He is handsome and polished. He knows what he want and goes for it. Andrew is a local man with dreams about family and home. Two very different people wanting different things at first. But somehow they click.
The s*e*x would have been really hot if Joel didn't talk. His attempt at dirty talk was a little cringe worthy and I skipped some sexy pages because of it. Andrew's insta-love was another thing that made me like this book less. I hoped for a different way for the relationship to start and go. Another one was that when Joel left it took him so long to try and get Andrew back that I was doubting all the 'I love yous' that he said. It was a lot of waiting and doing nothing and then suddenly he shows up back in Andrew's life. It felt a little disconnected to me. Otherwise it was an ok read.
August 28, 2017
This is pure sweet, tropey, instalove goodness. The author was skilled enough to make me care about the characters, and the story unfolds predictably, but with a great mix of secondary characters, heated sex, and a palpable warmth. A fast easy read that was a good antidote to the dark day.
Read
October 14, 2017~ * ~ Now in audio! Narrated by Kirt Graves. Wooooooooooot! ~ * ~
Y'all, this is yummy romance that'll tickle all your romantical needs: imperfect characters that are perfect for each other, enemies-to-lovers-lite, Swoony McSwoonerson smexy times, humor, and a cast of supporting characters that delight and, ya know, support our two leads.
I feel like maybe I shouldn't give a rating since I had early access and provided feedback?? Although, ratings schmatings: for romance lubbers, O.M.F.G. this is pour vous.
Also, I preordered this and am a proud owner LOL.
Reading reviews and reactions by peeps whose tastes I know and opinions I trust, many are having the same experiences as I did, and it's so much fun to see: squee! and lawdy, the emotion. and HA! this town is fulla loving, entertaining individuals.
It's not 100% rainbows and puppies**, but this'll make ya feel dern fantabulous.
The writing is open, fulfilling, and all the other good things we want from our storytellers.
And it's a series! GAH. We get more of this town and people, and that excites me so.
** but there is talk of them. ;)
Oh wait, wait, wait, there's a fun website about these peeps and their town, including Andrew and Joel. And Gilbert... ;) ;)
The people and town of Lavender Shores
Y'all, this is yummy romance that'll tickle all your romantical needs: imperfect characters that are perfect for each other, enemies-to-lovers-lite, Swoony McSwoonerson smexy times, humor, and a cast of supporting characters that delight and, ya know, support our two leads.
I feel like maybe I shouldn't give a rating since I had early access and provided feedback?? Although, ratings schmatings: for romance lubbers, O.M.F.G. this is pour vous.
Also, I preordered this and am a proud owner LOL.
Reading reviews and reactions by peeps whose tastes I know and opinions I trust, many are having the same experiences as I did, and it's so much fun to see: squee! and lawdy, the emotion. and HA! this town is fulla loving, entertaining individuals.
It's not 100% rainbows and puppies**, but this'll make ya feel dern fantabulous.
The writing is open, fulfilling, and all the other good things we want from our storytellers.
And it's a series! GAH. We get more of this town and people, and that excites me so.
** but there is talk of them. ;)
Oh wait, wait, wait, there's a fun website about these peeps and their town, including Andrew and Joel. And Gilbert... ;) ;)
The people and town of Lavender Shores
June 27, 2017
Le doy tres porque no está mal escrito y se lee rápido, pero es que NO.PA.SA.NA.DA. Me aburrí más que una ostra :(
March 13, 2019
RECENSIONE QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...
4.5 STELLE
"La Palizzata" è il primo libro di una lunga serie di storie autoconclusive che hanno come comun denominatore l’ambientazione: la magica e ridente cittadina di Lavender Shores. Ambientazione magica, personaggi dolci e storia romantica è l'impronta che Brandon Witt, amato dalle lettrici di romance mm, ha dato a questa serie usando uno pseudonimo per differenziarla dagli altri suoi libri. La mia mente di lettrice sognatrice in un libro adora alla follia i colpi di fulmine, il sesso passionale fulmineo e la spensieratezza vissuta nel rapporto senza angosce di sorta. Quindi, La Palizzata per me è il libro dei sogni, è perfetto, confortante, rilassante, dolce ma non melenso, sexy e sensuale, con quell'ironia spensierata che caratterizza tutti i personaggi. Avete presente quei film romantici dove il personaggio principale, inguaribile sognatore, vive in un posto bellissimo, plasma la sua vita in attesa che arrivi il grande amore che riconoscerà, sentirà nell'animo che è quello giusto e nel frattempo aspetta e sogna una casa con il giardino, un cane e dei figli da crescere nella sua adorata città natale? Ecco, Andrew è il meraviglioso protagonista di questo film, figlio di una delle famiglie fondatrici di Lavender Shores, con un padre bizzarro che adorerete. La ridente cittadina è famosa per essere un luogo ospitale per la comunità lgbt e orgogliosa per questo, oltre ad essere una mecca del turismo ma per Joel, figlio del famoso magnate delle caffetterie, è solo l'opportunità per dimostrare al suo dispotico e freddo padre di essere all'altezza del proprio lavoro, l'opportunità per farsi notare e realizzare i suoi piani di ricchezza e successo e finalmente uscire dal suo controllo. Ma quando il destino ci mette lo zampino e l'amore fa la sua magia tutti i piani di stravolgono, le convinzioni crollano, le priorità cambiano e i sogni quelli del cuore si realizzano. La storia è raccontata con lo stile leggero, ironico e sexy che contraddistingue sempre l'autore, la dolcezza è equilibrata dalla passione, i turbamenti le bugie e macchinazioni sono accompagnate da una sorta di ingenuità in cui tutto può essere aggiustato al momento giusto, le interazioni con i personaggi che ruotano intorno ai protagonisti sono esilaranti ed il marchio Witt di regalarci personaggi fuori dagli schemi, particolari e anticonformisti è fortemente presente…
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
4.5 STELLE
"La Palizzata" è il primo libro di una lunga serie di storie autoconclusive che hanno come comun denominatore l’ambientazione: la magica e ridente cittadina di Lavender Shores. Ambientazione magica, personaggi dolci e storia romantica è l'impronta che Brandon Witt, amato dalle lettrici di romance mm, ha dato a questa serie usando uno pseudonimo per differenziarla dagli altri suoi libri. La mia mente di lettrice sognatrice in un libro adora alla follia i colpi di fulmine, il sesso passionale fulmineo e la spensieratezza vissuta nel rapporto senza angosce di sorta. Quindi, La Palizzata per me è il libro dei sogni, è perfetto, confortante, rilassante, dolce ma non melenso, sexy e sensuale, con quell'ironia spensierata che caratterizza tutti i personaggi. Avete presente quei film romantici dove il personaggio principale, inguaribile sognatore, vive in un posto bellissimo, plasma la sua vita in attesa che arrivi il grande amore che riconoscerà, sentirà nell'animo che è quello giusto e nel frattempo aspetta e sogna una casa con il giardino, un cane e dei figli da crescere nella sua adorata città natale? Ecco, Andrew è il meraviglioso protagonista di questo film, figlio di una delle famiglie fondatrici di Lavender Shores, con un padre bizzarro che adorerete. La ridente cittadina è famosa per essere un luogo ospitale per la comunità lgbt e orgogliosa per questo, oltre ad essere una mecca del turismo ma per Joel, figlio del famoso magnate delle caffetterie, è solo l'opportunità per dimostrare al suo dispotico e freddo padre di essere all'altezza del proprio lavoro, l'opportunità per farsi notare e realizzare i suoi piani di ricchezza e successo e finalmente uscire dal suo controllo. Ma quando il destino ci mette lo zampino e l'amore fa la sua magia tutti i piani di stravolgono, le convinzioni crollano, le priorità cambiano e i sogni quelli del cuore si realizzano. La storia è raccontata con lo stile leggero, ironico e sexy che contraddistingue sempre l'autore, la dolcezza è equilibrata dalla passione, i turbamenti le bugie e macchinazioni sono accompagnate da una sorta di ingenuità in cui tutto può essere aggiustato al momento giusto, le interazioni con i personaggi che ruotano intorno ai protagonisti sono esilaranti ed il marchio Witt di regalarci personaggi fuori dagli schemi, particolari e anticonformisti è fortemente presente…
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
June 21, 2017
Reading this book felt like one big celebration! It was sugary sweet overload for me, but surprisingly I didn't end up in a diabetic coma. YAY!!!! I think this book caught me at the right time. I like cheesy stories, and appreciate the insta-love from time to time. BUT, with this amount of fluff be warned! It can cause an insane amount of eye-rolling. I did it alot, but still managed to enjoy it. It was steamy hot, can't take that away from the author. Andrew and Joel definitely set the pages on fire. I really enjoyed the side characters. They were phenomenal, and I loved Andrew's father!
Lavender Shores, is a closed knit community. Everyone knows everyone. Picture Mystic Falls from the Vampire Diaries without the supernatural element, and a lot of Caroline's in this place. Founding Families, one shop only businesses, friendly open minded folks and we have a really nice place to land. Joel is on a business trip to show his father he can be what he needs him to be to lead their family's business in the right direction. Andrew is Lavender Shores offspring. Born and raised in this place, he couldn't be more happy with the endless support of the family and friends he has here. He has everything he could ever want, minus the picket fence, children, animals, and oh the husband. I loved the opening scene. It was funny and drew me into the characters.
This series is so angst free that angst wouldn't even know what to do at this point. Its all about the romance. Romance is front and center, and it doesn't deviate from the plan. I look forward to more of this series, and I might have my shield for the next one in the book. I can't wait for book 2, the characters I've been waiting on seems to be the next focus. So, if you are in the mood for romance, hot love making, witty banter and all around crazy characters then this is definitely the series for you!
June 18, 2017
The Palisade is a quintessential romance; everything a reader thinks about and expects when looking for a love story. This particular story also happens to feature ‘insta-everything’. Insta-attraction, insta-lust, and insta-love. And while that shouldn’t have worked, or at the very least should have made me role my eyes, I have to admit it not only suited the story and the characters (especially Andrew) perfectly, it also swept me up in the passion of it all and made me forget about the rest of the world for a few very enjoyable hours.
Andrew and Joel are attracted to each other as soon as they lay eyes on each other in a restaurant in Lavender Shore. And from that moment on, they are set on a course that appears fated; as if no power on earth could stop their coming together. But of course, life is rarely that easy, and even for these two men, who obviously are meant to be together, there are obstacles to overcome.
Because we are privy to both men’s thoughts we can see Andrew’s heartbreak and the reasons why it will happen, coming long before it becomes obvious to him. Andrew isn’t naïve, he knows his feelings are too strong and too soon and he tries to stop himself from hoping and dreaming; none of which helps when he eventually discovers exactly why Joel is in Lavender Shore.
Andrew is such a romantic. He has his dreams of meeting the love of his life and having it all: the house with the picket fence in Lavender Shore, kids, dogs, and happily ever after. And no matter how often he's been disappointed, he can't stop dreaming:
"Those fantasies dried up with each little heartbreak and were pounded into dust by the larger ones. But still, I'd visit the palisade, and for a moment, I'd feel a man's strong arms around me, the scruff on his cheek scratch against mine. Maybe that would never happen in real life, but in those moments, in the beautiful, sad moments, those sensations were enough."
I was a bit torn about Joel. I understand that he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. And nobody throws away a lifetime of trying to become something or someone based on a few days of strong attraction, and yet… The lies he had to tell and the secrets he had to keep bothered me more with each passing page. Not because I didn’t understand why they were necessary, or because his reasons didn’t make sense. No, they bothered me because I couldn’t bear the thought of the pain those lies and secrets would inflict on both of them once they were uncovered. And while Joel's feelings are as strong as Andrew's, he is all too aware of what's to come:
"It also meant I was even more bonkers than he was. He felt all that shit and didn't know how it was going to end. I did. I knew the end. Hell, I knew the end almost to the hour and minute. And I still felt it.
But, the painful and somewhat angsty part of the story is minimal compared to the pure joy of seeing these two men coming together. The passion between them is searing and the rapidly developing and growing feelings they have for each other touched me deeply, especially because even Andrew and Joel were fully aware that it shouldn’t, couldn’t be possible to feel love after only a few days.
While obviously Andrew and Joel are the star performers in this book, the cast"of secondary characters are almost as fascinating as they are. For starters, there is Lavender Shore itself. And yes, I do consider the location a character in this book. What’s not to love about a town created to provide a safe haven for LGBTQ… people? And I do like the idea of a community that hangs on to its integrity by resisting commercialism. Among the ‘secondaries’, Andrew’s father took a star role. His sense of humour and outspokenness made me laugh out loud on several occasions. He also serves as a stark but perfect contrast to Joel’s tyrannical and uncaring — almost but not quite to the point of being a caricature — father.
Long review short: The Palisade is a wonderful, hot, and captivating romance in the purest sense of the word. The characters will capture your attention within the first few pages and refuse to let you go until you’ve accompanied them on their mostly joyful and passionate journey towards a happily ever after. As summer reads go, this one is pretty much perfect.
If my review has made you curious about Lavender Shores and the people who live there, why don’t you visit its website and find out all about it. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the site and the only risk you take is that you might find yourself heading over to Amazon to get your hands on the book(s) asap. All is revealed here: http://www.lavendershores.com/
"When my dreams came true, I noticed." - Andrew
Andrew and Joel are attracted to each other as soon as they lay eyes on each other in a restaurant in Lavender Shore. And from that moment on, they are set on a course that appears fated; as if no power on earth could stop their coming together. But of course, life is rarely that easy, and even for these two men, who obviously are meant to be together, there are obstacles to overcome.
Because we are privy to both men’s thoughts we can see Andrew’s heartbreak and the reasons why it will happen, coming long before it becomes obvious to him. Andrew isn’t naïve, he knows his feelings are too strong and too soon and he tries to stop himself from hoping and dreaming; none of which helps when he eventually discovers exactly why Joel is in Lavender Shore.
Andrew is such a romantic. He has his dreams of meeting the love of his life and having it all: the house with the picket fence in Lavender Shore, kids, dogs, and happily ever after. And no matter how often he's been disappointed, he can't stop dreaming:
"Those fantasies dried up with each little heartbreak and were pounded into dust by the larger ones. But still, I'd visit the palisade, and for a moment, I'd feel a man's strong arms around me, the scruff on his cheek scratch against mine. Maybe that would never happen in real life, but in those moments, in the beautiful, sad moments, those sensations were enough."
I was a bit torn about Joel. I understand that he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. And nobody throws away a lifetime of trying to become something or someone based on a few days of strong attraction, and yet… The lies he had to tell and the secrets he had to keep bothered me more with each passing page. Not because I didn’t understand why they were necessary, or because his reasons didn’t make sense. No, they bothered me because I couldn’t bear the thought of the pain those lies and secrets would inflict on both of them once they were uncovered. And while Joel's feelings are as strong as Andrew's, he is all too aware of what's to come:
"It also meant I was even more bonkers than he was. He felt all that shit and didn't know how it was going to end. I did. I knew the end. Hell, I knew the end almost to the hour and minute. And I still felt it.
But, the painful and somewhat angsty part of the story is minimal compared to the pure joy of seeing these two men coming together. The passion between them is searing and the rapidly developing and growing feelings they have for each other touched me deeply, especially because even Andrew and Joel were fully aware that it shouldn’t, couldn’t be possible to feel love after only a few days.
While obviously Andrew and Joel are the star performers in this book, the cast"of secondary characters are almost as fascinating as they are. For starters, there is Lavender Shore itself. And yes, I do consider the location a character in this book. What’s not to love about a town created to provide a safe haven for LGBTQ… people? And I do like the idea of a community that hangs on to its integrity by resisting commercialism. Among the ‘secondaries’, Andrew’s father took a star role. His sense of humour and outspokenness made me laugh out loud on several occasions. He also serves as a stark but perfect contrast to Joel’s tyrannical and uncaring — almost but not quite to the point of being a caricature — father.
Long review short: The Palisade is a wonderful, hot, and captivating romance in the purest sense of the word. The characters will capture your attention within the first few pages and refuse to let you go until you’ve accompanied them on their mostly joyful and passionate journey towards a happily ever after. As summer reads go, this one is pretty much perfect.
If my review has made you curious about Lavender Shores and the people who live there, why don’t you visit its website and find out all about it. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the site and the only risk you take is that you might find yourself heading over to Amazon to get your hands on the book(s) asap. All is revealed here: http://www.lavendershores.com/
"When my dreams came true, I noticed." - Andrew
June 19, 2017
I have to tell you now—I absolutely LOVED this book. In fact, The Palisade is one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. I fell in love with Andrew, and even though Joel frustrated me with the secret he was keeping, there’s a special place in my heart for him as well. If you are a fan of stories that put you on emotional overload, you’re going to feel right at home reading this story.
Andrew…oh my goodness, I just couldn’t get enough of him. Everything he thinks, speaks, does—it is all heartfelt, honest and raw, and my heart broke for how badly he wanted his dream and how far he felt he was from achieving it. He’s one of those characters you just want to scoop up in your arms to keep him safe from anyone breaking his heart. Then Joel steps into the picture, and he’s driven to be successful in a bid to win his father’s support and approval-no matter what. If that means he has to keep some secrets and try and get what he needs in a roundabout manner…well, that’s what he’ll do…even if he may not agree with it himself (herein lies my frustration with him).
When Andrew and Joel come together though, it’s all heat and passion and emotion—even if they each try and keep all of it at arm’s length (especially Joel). But they longer the two of them are together interacting with each other, the more the emotional attachment builds. The author does an incredible job of articulating the intense emotions of both Andrew and Joel…especially Andrew, who lays his heart wide open, putting everything on the line for a chance at his dream. I felt like it was my own heart that was involved, and when the drama peaked and everything started going out of control for them, it created an emotional tailspin not only for Andrew and Joel, but for me as well.
I cried. Again and again, like there was a permanent leak from my eyes. Everything about Andrew and Joel’s situation—individually and together—was digging it’s way through my heart, and I was way far past invested in their outcome than I usually find myself in any romance novel. If they didn’t end up together, I think it might have crushed me.
5 freaking fantastic, wildly emotional stars for The Palisade and a spot on my Top Recommendations list…and if this is the way this series continues to go, I’m holding on to prepare for an amazingly emotional ride! This story is for readers 18+ for adult language and some incredibly intense and passionate M/M sexual content (HOLY COW!). Have your tissues handy and your batteries charged for this one folks!
Andrew…oh my goodness, I just couldn’t get enough of him. Everything he thinks, speaks, does—it is all heartfelt, honest and raw, and my heart broke for how badly he wanted his dream and how far he felt he was from achieving it. He’s one of those characters you just want to scoop up in your arms to keep him safe from anyone breaking his heart. Then Joel steps into the picture, and he’s driven to be successful in a bid to win his father’s support and approval-no matter what. If that means he has to keep some secrets and try and get what he needs in a roundabout manner…well, that’s what he’ll do…even if he may not agree with it himself (herein lies my frustration with him).
When Andrew and Joel come together though, it’s all heat and passion and emotion—even if they each try and keep all of it at arm’s length (especially Joel). But they longer the two of them are together interacting with each other, the more the emotional attachment builds. The author does an incredible job of articulating the intense emotions of both Andrew and Joel…especially Andrew, who lays his heart wide open, putting everything on the line for a chance at his dream. I felt like it was my own heart that was involved, and when the drama peaked and everything started going out of control for them, it created an emotional tailspin not only for Andrew and Joel, but for me as well.
I cried. Again and again, like there was a permanent leak from my eyes. Everything about Andrew and Joel’s situation—individually and together—was digging it’s way through my heart, and I was way far past invested in their outcome than I usually find myself in any romance novel. If they didn’t end up together, I think it might have crushed me.
5 freaking fantastic, wildly emotional stars for The Palisade and a spot on my Top Recommendations list…and if this is the way this series continues to go, I’m holding on to prepare for an amazingly emotional ride! This story is for readers 18+ for adult language and some incredibly intense and passionate M/M sexual content (HOLY COW!). Have your tissues handy and your batteries charged for this one folks!
November 16, 2017
I have mixed emotions about this book I have a feeling I must give it an extra star but I just can't make myself do it ... silly I know.
Mixed emotions:
Laughing like a silly girl/ woman I can sometimes be!.
Reading and feeling WTF???
Aww sweet!
Just grow a pair!!!.
Stupid fuck open your eyes!
HAHA I love you you like in 0-60km p/s???
AWWW that's so sweet and adorbs
So you see my dilemma I am in now ...
Mixed emotions:
Laughing like a silly girl/ woman I can sometimes be!.
Reading and feeling WTF???
Aww sweet!
Just grow a pair!!!.
Stupid fuck open your eyes!
HAHA I love you you like in 0-60km p/s???
AWWW that's so sweet and adorbs
So you see my dilemma I am in now ...
June 29, 2017
I didn't like this. Review to come.
November 17, 2017
2.5 stars - this was just not for me. I tried and persisted but it was off balance. Insta love, downright cheesy and felt like a try hard. I didn’t like the “ cum for your Man” statements it didn’t match the personalities ... I wanted to like this more but hey, there’s always book 2 !
June 19, 2017
What a great beginning! This book is the first in a new series by Rosalind Abel, aka Brandon Witt and let's just say this is the perfect summer romantic read. Sweet and charming, the world of Lavender Shores is full of fun and laughter, sprinkled with sunshine and joy.
Great storyline and characters you just fall in love with, I wish it actually existed cause I want to be there! A great job by an amazing Author!! Well Done!
Great storyline and characters you just fall in love with, I wish it actually existed cause I want to be there! A great job by an amazing Author!! Well Done!
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