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Cost of Repairs #1
Cost of Repairs
Samuel Briggs moved to small-town Stratton, Pennsylvania, to escape his tragic past and try to start over. When he's not out walking his beat as a police officer, all he wants is peace, a manageable routine, and time to fix up his newly-purchased project home. And Samuel absolutely does not have room in his new routines for a relationship. Except a chance encounter with a handsome diner cook unexpectedly shakes his resolve.
Rey King lives for his work as a short-order cook, part-time hardware salesman, and full-time handyman. He’s in debt up to his eyeballs, so he isn’t looking for complications. And the gorgeous blond cop who comes to Rey’s rescue is a complication he definitely doesn’t need. Lucky for him, Samuel feels the same way.
But what starts as an afternoon of no-strings sex inevitably complicates itself, as the two men learn how deeply each other’s emotional damage goes. When Rey is seriously injured protecting a friend, their already shaky foundation cracks a little more. Samuel barely pulled his life back together after his first lover's death and falling in love again isn't part of his recovery plan. He knows renovations are always a gamble, but this one isn't about risking money—it's about Samuel risking his heart.
NOTE: This book was previously published under the same title. This new edition has been lightly edited to address minor continuity problems, but the overall story is the same.
Rey King lives for his work as a short-order cook, part-time hardware salesman, and full-time handyman. He’s in debt up to his eyeballs, so he isn’t looking for complications. And the gorgeous blond cop who comes to Rey’s rescue is a complication he definitely doesn’t need. Lucky for him, Samuel feels the same way.
But what starts as an afternoon of no-strings sex inevitably complicates itself, as the two men learn how deeply each other’s emotional damage goes. When Rey is seriously injured protecting a friend, their already shaky foundation cracks a little more. Samuel barely pulled his life back together after his first lover's death and falling in love again isn't part of his recovery plan. He knows renovations are always a gamble, but this one isn't about risking money—it's about Samuel risking his heart.
NOTE: This book was previously published under the same title. This new edition has been lightly edited to address minor continuity problems, but the overall story is the same.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2012
102 people are currently reading
1304 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Arthur
87 books1,236 followersNo stranger to the writing world, A.M. Arthur has been creating stories in her head since she was a child and scribbling them down nearly as long. She credits an early fascination with male friendships (bromance wasn't a thing yet) with her later discovery of and subsequent affair with m/m romance stories. When not writing, she can be found in her kitchen, pretending she's an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments. You can contact her at AM_Arthur(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews
September 11, 2017
4 Stars!
I had a rough time in the first quarter of the story and it took me a minute to get into it. I liked Samuel and Rey, but without Rey's POV in the first half it was difficult for me to feel their connection or really get to know Rey as a character because he was so guarded. Although once Rey was given a voice it all fell together and their world and their relationship made sense.
This is my first book by this author and I must say that I really enjoyed her writing style and how real she made her characters feel. The stuff they are going through isn't OTT or made to feel unrealistic. The events that have happened in their life are things that could or might happened to us. Their struggles are relatable which helps the reader connect with the characters and the story.
I also enjoyed the way the relationship was built between Rey and Sam. It had many bumps along the way. Both men were struggling to open up and trust the other and themselves to allow themselves to fall without fear. It was a bit of slow burn but the satisfying kind.
The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was because of the ending. There is a lot going on in this story that seemed to be enough. Maybe even too much to be in one story. Both characters had many things that had either happened in the past or in this book so for something else to happen that major just seemed TOO much. I mean both guys had had it pretty rough already and things were finally falling in place for them and I felt like this last drama took it too far and it felt unnecessary for the story.
Other then that little bit at the end I really enjoyed the story and enjoyed all the different side character's.
Hope you all check this one out!
Happy reading dolls! xx
**I was kindly given an ARC by the author in exchange for a honest review.**
I had a rough time in the first quarter of the story and it took me a minute to get into it. I liked Samuel and Rey, but without Rey's POV in the first half it was difficult for me to feel their connection or really get to know Rey as a character because he was so guarded. Although once Rey was given a voice it all fell together and their world and their relationship made sense.
This is my first book by this author and I must say that I really enjoyed her writing style and how real she made her characters feel. The stuff they are going through isn't OTT or made to feel unrealistic. The events that have happened in their life are things that could or might happened to us. Their struggles are relatable which helps the reader connect with the characters and the story.
I also enjoyed the way the relationship was built between Rey and Sam. It had many bumps along the way. Both men were struggling to open up and trust the other and themselves to allow themselves to fall without fear. It was a bit of slow burn but the satisfying kind.
The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was because of the ending. There is a lot going on in this story that seemed to be enough. Maybe even too much to be in one story. Both characters had many things that had either happened in the past or in this book so for something else to happen that major just seemed TOO much. I mean both guys had had it pretty rough already and things were finally falling in place for them and I felt like this last drama took it too far and it felt unnecessary for the story.
Other then that little bit at the end I really enjoyed the story and enjoyed all the different side character's.
Hope you all check this one out!
Happy reading dolls! xx
**I was kindly given an ARC by the author in exchange for a honest review.**
August 10, 2016
Closer to 3.5 stars probably. Rey and Sam were gems and portrayed very realistically. Their relationship developed slowly and naturally, and the bedroom (etc.) scenes were hot.
However, about halfway through I seriously overdosed on Drama and Tragedy and Pain, but I was in shit luck, because all three kept coming and coming and coming. A.M. Arthur packed in one twist too many, me thinks.
Also, some issues were resolved too neatly (Rey's financial obligations), while others were left dangling ().
Plot twists and some tragedy are good. They make the book interesting. But throw too many in there, and you veer dangerously into soap opera territory. This almost crossed the line. What saved it is Arthur's sensitivity toward and portrayal of the MCs, who weren't rich or perfect or insanely, jaw-droppingly hot. They were just real guys finding each other.
The HEA was a little rushed and maybe more of a HFN. I wanted the actual epilogue to be the second part of the last chapter, with a more robust epilogue depicting a more settled Sam and Rey (a few months in the future), but we don't always get what we want.
However, about halfway through I seriously overdosed on Drama and Tragedy and Pain, but I was in shit luck, because all three kept coming and coming and coming. A.M. Arthur packed in one twist too many, me thinks.
Also, some issues were resolved too neatly (Rey's financial obligations), while others were left dangling ().
Plot twists and some tragedy are good. They make the book interesting. But throw too many in there, and you veer dangerously into soap opera territory. This almost crossed the line. What saved it is Arthur's sensitivity toward and portrayal of the MCs, who weren't rich or perfect or insanely, jaw-droppingly hot. They were just real guys finding each other.
The HEA was a little rushed and maybe more of a HFN. I wanted the actual epilogue to be the second part of the last chapter, with a more robust epilogue depicting a more settled Sam and Rey (a few months in the future), but we don't always get what we want.
July 15, 2015
Awesome re-read! I'm going to try and write a review this time.
For anyone how has read this entire series, can I skip right to Sam and Rey's story in book 4? Or are they cover a lot in the next two books.
For anyone how has read this entire series, can I skip right to Sam and Rey's story in book 4? Or are they cover a lot in the next two books.
November 12, 2014
Not sure where it went wrong? 
It started off really strong but somewhere along the way it lost me and started to drag. 
Even though it didn't work for me I would actually still recommend it. The writing is not bad and I think it's a case of me and not the book. 2.5 stars.
It started off really strong but somewhere along the way it lost me and started to drag. Even though it didn't work for me I would actually still recommend it. The writing is not bad and I think it's a case of me and not the book. 2.5 stars.
May 31, 2014
3.5 stars
This was a completely character driven story until the very end. The drama at the end was unnecessary and brought down my rating by half a star. I liked both MCs and the POV switches were done well.
Also, these people seem to heal from injuries awful fast. Either that or there were time jumps in the story I didn't catch.
I would still recommend it as a good read and I will most likely read the rest of the series.
ETA: Dani said it better
November 18, 2013
3.5 stars
This was a good read with a bit of angst and a lot of drama between two men with some very heavy baggage.
Sam is the new beat cop in the small town where Rey is a cook at the local diner. The two meet when Sam is called to the diner while on duty. They are seemingly opposites but do manage to strike up a friends with benefits relationship. It is soon clear that Rey's life has been spiraling out of control over the past few years, and he is barely getting by. Sam has moved across the country to escape the horriffic events of his past and continue to heal from his losses.
The two men make an unlikely couple, combine that with their past problems and unwillingness to burden the other, there are misunderstandings and mistrust that the two need to get over if their friendship stands any chance of turning into more.
There were a number of well drawn secondary characters that play a large part in their lives. There are also a number of serious issues that are brought up and while some of them are resolved, I felt that one in particular was left hanging that leaves me wondering if it will be addressed in one of the other books in the series. Overall it was a well written book that kept me reading and wanting to continue with the next book.
This was a good read with a bit of angst and a lot of drama between two men with some very heavy baggage.
Sam is the new beat cop in the small town where Rey is a cook at the local diner. The two meet when Sam is called to the diner while on duty. They are seemingly opposites but do manage to strike up a friends with benefits relationship. It is soon clear that Rey's life has been spiraling out of control over the past few years, and he is barely getting by. Sam has moved across the country to escape the horriffic events of his past and continue to heal from his losses.
The two men make an unlikely couple, combine that with their past problems and unwillingness to burden the other, there are misunderstandings and mistrust that the two need to get over if their friendship stands any chance of turning into more.
There were a number of well drawn secondary characters that play a large part in their lives. There are also a number of serious issues that are brought up and while some of them are resolved, I felt that one in particular was left hanging that leaves me wondering if it will be addressed in one of the other books in the series. Overall it was a well written book that kept me reading and wanting to continue with the next book.
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November 14, 2013Awesome Kindle freebie, 11/14/13!
June 19, 2012
A fast-paced story about Samuel, a cop who moves to a new town two thousand miles away from the traumas of his past to start over, and Rey, a fry-cook who has never caught a break in his life and is fighting to keep his head above water. Their attraction is rapid, and they find in each other a reason to move beyond the past. But sometimes their issues come between them, and eventually the past catches up with them. There is a fair bit of drama and excitement in this story, although it doesn't feel angsty. If anything, I would have liked a deeper feel for the emotions behind the trauma. I did appreciate the fact that not every thread was neatly tied off at the end of the story, and yet it was a complete arc. I do wonder if a sequel is planned - there is still room for some healing and progress to happen, both between these two men and in their wider lives.
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July 5, 2018Freebie at amazon.com right now: https://smile.amazon.com/Cost-Repairs...
June 4, 2012
Although this story was set in Pennsylvania, it had a somewhat Southern feel to me. Whether it was the name of the Café where Rey works, Dixie’s Cup (Dixie, the owner, was a force to recon, by the way) or the big role Samuel’s back porch plays for the story, whether it was the fact that it’s summer and warm as the story begins or the calm practicality the characters took what life dished out to them, I couldn’t say, but still. Perhaps it was the fact that this story moved slowly and unagitated like I’ve always imagined the Mississippi does. I’m not saying the story was dull, not at all, there was some pretty exciting action, especially toward the end, in the actual story as well as in the flashback sections. However, I think the picture fits this story quite well, the broad river with its calm surface and the treacherous undertows and occasional white water rapids. A river of life.
When Rey and Sam meet, they know next to nothing about each other, except for the attraction between them which is there almost from the very first second. Their afternoon hookup was actually meant as some kind of pastime, a way to act out their sexual needs which apparently hadn’t been appeased for both of them for an considerable amount of time. But, although both have their own reasons for wanting to stand back from romantic relationships, neither of them can deny that there was something more than sex even to their first tryst, though what exactly, none could say. Not that they would; neither Rey nor Sam are big on talking anyway. So they settle for mutual sympathy as a common ground to start from. Gradually, almost reluctantly sympathy turns into friendship, and love sneaks up on them as they come to trust each other, sharing bits and pieces of their pasts with each other until they realize they’re sharing a present–and maybe a future, too.
Both Sam and Rey are wonderful, impressive characters; I’ve rarely met a pair of so tortured heroes. Rey started his life under poor conditions, coming from a broken home, and being gay didn’t prove overly conductive to him. Some bad decisions he made in his youth and a dire misfortune led to him being up to his ears in debt which he works like a dog to repay while living in abject poverty. He carries a deep grief that makes him slow to open up to strangers, and while he’s too proud to take any help even if it’s offered to him, let alone ask for help, he goes out of his way to help others. In fact, Rey’s pride and deep seated wariness is one of the major obstacles he and Sam have to overcome.
But if there’s one man who can crack Rey’s shell, it’s Sam.
Sam was born into a loving, supportive family, he took up his dream job as a police officer, finding mostly acceptance as an openly gay man with his colleagues, and he had a stable long-term relationship with the man of his dreams. He lost everything in one single stroke of fate, the aftermaths of which he’s still struggling with, more than a year after the fact. And that’s why Sam is such a perfect match for Rey. Sam gets grief and heartbreak and loss, he experienced it firsthand. Sam understands Rey needing space and time, as he feels that need himself, and he understands and forgives when Rey lashes out at him in an excess of irate helplessness, as he knows exactly how this feels. It was so beautiful to watch how those two wounded men helped each other heal; Sam barely recovered enough from his own hardships to provide a shoulder to lean on for Rey; Rey so full of life despite everything that he stirred Sam out of his grief-frozen state and made him want to embrace life and love again. I particularly loved the respect and consideration with which they treated each other, there was no rushing, no pushing on either part, and between them they maintained a heartbreaking honesty that made the development of their relationship harder though all the more precious for that. For me, they came alive on the pages; even after I finished reading they stayed in my head and had me thinking about them, this is how real they were.
The writing itself was as smooth as the story, beautifully rich in imagery at times, matter-of-factly where it fit the story and laced with just the right dash of humor to keep all the drama from becoming melodramatic. The supportive cast was, for the most part, as well-drawn as the main characters. If I had any issues with this story, they occurred right at the end, with a villain who did something that was too far-fetched even for a fictional story; in the end, though, this small niggle couldn’t spoil my overall enjoyment of the story.
This was a beautiful, well thought through story with multi-layered, well drawn characters that lingered in my mind long after I finished reading and which I’ll definitely read again. Highly recommended.
review originally written for reviewsbyjessewave.com
When Rey and Sam meet, they know next to nothing about each other, except for the attraction between them which is there almost from the very first second. Their afternoon hookup was actually meant as some kind of pastime, a way to act out their sexual needs which apparently hadn’t been appeased for both of them for an considerable amount of time. But, although both have their own reasons for wanting to stand back from romantic relationships, neither of them can deny that there was something more than sex even to their first tryst, though what exactly, none could say. Not that they would; neither Rey nor Sam are big on talking anyway. So they settle for mutual sympathy as a common ground to start from. Gradually, almost reluctantly sympathy turns into friendship, and love sneaks up on them as they come to trust each other, sharing bits and pieces of their pasts with each other until they realize they’re sharing a present–and maybe a future, too.
Both Sam and Rey are wonderful, impressive characters; I’ve rarely met a pair of so tortured heroes. Rey started his life under poor conditions, coming from a broken home, and being gay didn’t prove overly conductive to him. Some bad decisions he made in his youth and a dire misfortune led to him being up to his ears in debt which he works like a dog to repay while living in abject poverty. He carries a deep grief that makes him slow to open up to strangers, and while he’s too proud to take any help even if it’s offered to him, let alone ask for help, he goes out of his way to help others. In fact, Rey’s pride and deep seated wariness is one of the major obstacles he and Sam have to overcome.
But if there’s one man who can crack Rey’s shell, it’s Sam.
Sam was born into a loving, supportive family, he took up his dream job as a police officer, finding mostly acceptance as an openly gay man with his colleagues, and he had a stable long-term relationship with the man of his dreams. He lost everything in one single stroke of fate, the aftermaths of which he’s still struggling with, more than a year after the fact. And that’s why Sam is such a perfect match for Rey. Sam gets grief and heartbreak and loss, he experienced it firsthand. Sam understands Rey needing space and time, as he feels that need himself, and he understands and forgives when Rey lashes out at him in an excess of irate helplessness, as he knows exactly how this feels. It was so beautiful to watch how those two wounded men helped each other heal; Sam barely recovered enough from his own hardships to provide a shoulder to lean on for Rey; Rey so full of life despite everything that he stirred Sam out of his grief-frozen state and made him want to embrace life and love again. I particularly loved the respect and consideration with which they treated each other, there was no rushing, no pushing on either part, and between them they maintained a heartbreaking honesty that made the development of their relationship harder though all the more precious for that. For me, they came alive on the pages; even after I finished reading they stayed in my head and had me thinking about them, this is how real they were.
The writing itself was as smooth as the story, beautifully rich in imagery at times, matter-of-factly where it fit the story and laced with just the right dash of humor to keep all the drama from becoming melodramatic. The supportive cast was, for the most part, as well-drawn as the main characters. If I had any issues with this story, they occurred right at the end, with a villain who did something that was too far-fetched even for a fictional story; in the end, though, this small niggle couldn’t spoil my overall enjoyment of the story.
This was a beautiful, well thought through story with multi-layered, well drawn characters that lingered in my mind long after I finished reading and which I’ll definitely read again. Highly recommended.
review originally written for reviewsbyjessewave.com
July 2, 2018
My most lasting impression after reading this book: Too much drama.
I love it when characters have a dark past and stuff to work through, but Sam and Rey's story was one shipload of skeletons in the closet after the other. At some point their tragedies should have just stopped accumulating to give the reader a chance to catch a breath.
I don't even want to go into their story in detail because it still makes me shudder. I hope they'll be happy together. I have my personal doubts about their relationship. Rey was an incredibly difficult guy and after the 75% mark, Sam caught up to him, turning into an equally complicated person.
Good luck for them. Seriously.
3 stars!
I love it when characters have a dark past and stuff to work through, but Sam and Rey's story was one shipload of skeletons in the closet after the other. At some point their tragedies should have just stopped accumulating to give the reader a chance to catch a breath.
I don't even want to go into their story in detail because it still makes me shudder. I hope they'll be happy together. I have my personal doubts about their relationship. Rey was an incredibly difficult guy and after the 75% mark, Sam caught up to him, turning into an equally complicated person.
Good luck for them. Seriously.
3 stars!
January 16, 2013
I liked this book up until the ending which didn't feel like an end at all. The story felt unfinished to me, like there needed to be a few more chapters to tie up the loose ends.
June 22, 2012
I really liked this book. It deals heavily in healing two people that have been pretty emotionally damaged and have had a rough life.
The way this story is written is quite intriguing. While the whole book is in third person, it's segregated into three parts. First part is from Samuel's POV, second part is from Rey's POV and third part is from both POVs. I've seen this style before and it's a style I'm very fond of. I liked getting to know each character in their own time from both perspectives without the mistakes of head-hopping.
Both characters are very fragile emotionally with a ton of baggage. Rey's life has been nothing but one bad thing after another while Samuel is still trying to get over something that happened years ago. Both are traumatized in their own way and they end up getting even more so within the story because their lives start to spiral downhill even more when they meet. It was fascinating to see how these two handled the situations they encountered and how they healed each other without really knowing it while still having to deal with Samuel wanting to be semi in the closet.
There were a few things I didn't like about the story, though. Samuel's past is based around his deceased lover, Ben, so there is a lot of detail about him. What I didn't like was how involved he was in the story. Almost everything Samuel did boiled down to Ben, he constantly compared things to Ben, his time with Ben, his love for Ben, how different Rey was from Ben, etc. I grew tiresome of that because I wanted things about Rey and Samuel not about a dead lover and Samuel.
I also thought the sex scenes were too long and too clustered together, at least for my tastes. I think the story could have used a bit more editing as well since there was misspelled names and missing words from sentences on more than one occasion. I was also confused a few times because little sentences that alluded to a mysterious person would be mentioned without explaining who that person was. Like, for instance, a Dan was mentioned once but never elaborated; Sky was mentioned but never elaborated (I finally figured out Sky was Schuyler a while after Sky was first mentioned). I was also hoping to get some answers on what Rey would do about getting custody but it's never brought up.
In the end, this was a wonderfully emotionally charged romance between two damaged men that I gobbled up. It had its faults but the story was very intriguing and what these two men went through and how they dealt with it, as well as the way they developed their relationship, was something I very much enjoyed.
The way this story is written is quite intriguing. While the whole book is in third person, it's segregated into three parts. First part is from Samuel's POV, second part is from Rey's POV and third part is from both POVs. I've seen this style before and it's a style I'm very fond of. I liked getting to know each character in their own time from both perspectives without the mistakes of head-hopping.
Both characters are very fragile emotionally with a ton of baggage. Rey's life has been nothing but one bad thing after another while Samuel is still trying to get over something that happened years ago. Both are traumatized in their own way and they end up getting even more so within the story because their lives start to spiral downhill even more when they meet. It was fascinating to see how these two handled the situations they encountered and how they healed each other without really knowing it while still having to deal with Samuel wanting to be semi in the closet.
There were a few things I didn't like about the story, though. Samuel's past is based around his deceased lover, Ben, so there is a lot of detail about him. What I didn't like was how involved he was in the story. Almost everything Samuel did boiled down to Ben, he constantly compared things to Ben, his time with Ben, his love for Ben, how different Rey was from Ben, etc. I grew tiresome of that because I wanted things about Rey and Samuel not about a dead lover and Samuel.
I also thought the sex scenes were too long and too clustered together, at least for my tastes. I think the story could have used a bit more editing as well since there was misspelled names and missing words from sentences on more than one occasion. I was also confused a few times because little sentences that alluded to a mysterious person would be mentioned without explaining who that person was. Like, for instance, a Dan was mentioned once but never elaborated; Sky was mentioned but never elaborated (I finally figured out Sky was Schuyler a while after Sky was first mentioned). I was also hoping to get some answers on what Rey would do about getting custody but it's never brought up.
In the end, this was a wonderfully emotionally charged romance between two damaged men that I gobbled up. It had its faults but the story was very intriguing and what these two men went through and how they dealt with it, as well as the way they developed their relationship, was something I very much enjoyed.
May 24, 2013
This book had so many 4* an 5* reviews that I already had a bad conscience for having it still on my TBR. So, finally I started reading, expecting a gripping, entertaining read. Sadly that wasn't the case. It started nice enough, but all this 'I don't do gossip, I cannot ask, he will tell me when he's ready, I want to know, but I don't gossip' it got on my nerves. Long length with hints and then suddenly - information overload! The ending was rather harebrained and the epilogue didn't help. Sorry, but that was just ok for me.
November 15, 2013
I am surprised how much I liked this--i'm not usually into cop stories, but this really worked for me. Very strong characterization, and i really felt the affection growing between the characters. Really nice.
October 6, 2012
I've actually already reread this one. Sweet and makes me feel good when I read it. Will be rereading it again, and I"m hoping to read another book by AM Arthur soon.
June 28, 2012
This novel is depressing. If you’re looking for light and fun and fluffy, look elsewhere.
Brief synopsis: Officer Samuel Briggs moves to Stratton, PA after a tragic incident back in New Mexico. On his first patrol he encounters Rey King, an aloof man lives paycheck to paycheck trying to pay off debts from his own issues.
(Possible spoilers ahead)
From there, it seems like a one-up competition to see who has the most tragedies in their life.
I feel like the characters only get to know each other through their tragedies. And thus, we the readers only get to know them that way as well. At no time did I see the two leads genuinely happy; I think the just came together because they were two sad and lonely guys. I guess two people could fall in love under those circumstances, but I don’t see how a relationship like that could last.
Especially since the ghost of Samuel’s dead significant other seems to haunt them wherever they go. Ben was with Samuel until he was killed by a few bigots causing Samuel to whirl in a downward spiral and eventually move to Stratton for a new start. Samuel maybe in a new town, a new house and Ben is buried back in New Mexico, but he’s constantly in Samuel’s thoughts and affects his daily life. How was I supposed to believe Rey and Samuel fell in love, when- even 3 years later- Samuel still loves and mourns Ben. I’m not begrudging Samuel, I’m not saying “Just get over it!” but how can he start something with Rey when he’s still plagued with the thoughts of Ben? He even said he couldn’t love anyone like Ben. To be fair, Rey shouldn’t want to ‘replace’ Ben, but Samuel should make some room for him in his heart and by then end, I just didn’t feel like he did (regardless of the declarations of love).
Another thing that ground my gears is the mentioning of Rey’s daughter. I was mad as hell when that part came up. I was hoping toward the end, things would be set in motion to get her back. So I was unsatisfied with that aspect.
I guess you can say the ending was a “happy for now” one. I think Samuel and Rey’s story isn’t finished, but Arthur probably won’t come back to this couple.
My rating for this is 3.5 out of 5. It was well written, but it was depressing.
Brief synopsis: Officer Samuel Briggs moves to Stratton, PA after a tragic incident back in New Mexico. On his first patrol he encounters Rey King, an aloof man lives paycheck to paycheck trying to pay off debts from his own issues.
(Possible spoilers ahead)
From there, it seems like a one-up competition to see who has the most tragedies in their life.
I feel like the characters only get to know each other through their tragedies. And thus, we the readers only get to know them that way as well. At no time did I see the two leads genuinely happy; I think the just came together because they were two sad and lonely guys. I guess two people could fall in love under those circumstances, but I don’t see how a relationship like that could last.
Especially since the ghost of Samuel’s dead significant other seems to haunt them wherever they go. Ben was with Samuel until he was killed by a few bigots causing Samuel to whirl in a downward spiral and eventually move to Stratton for a new start. Samuel maybe in a new town, a new house and Ben is buried back in New Mexico, but he’s constantly in Samuel’s thoughts and affects his daily life. How was I supposed to believe Rey and Samuel fell in love, when- even 3 years later- Samuel still loves and mourns Ben. I’m not begrudging Samuel, I’m not saying “Just get over it!” but how can he start something with Rey when he’s still plagued with the thoughts of Ben? He even said he couldn’t love anyone like Ben. To be fair, Rey shouldn’t want to ‘replace’ Ben, but Samuel should make some room for him in his heart and by then end, I just didn’t feel like he did (regardless of the declarations of love).
Another thing that ground my gears is the mentioning of Rey’s daughter. I was mad as hell when that part came up. I was hoping toward the end, things would be set in motion to get her back. So I was unsatisfied with that aspect.
I guess you can say the ending was a “happy for now” one. I think Samuel and Rey’s story isn’t finished, but Arthur probably won’t come back to this couple.
My rating for this is 3.5 out of 5. It was well written, but it was depressing.
July 7, 2013
This was a nice book... There were some really great things in the book and some nice banter and sweet scenes thrown in for good measure. I enjoyed the writing. The setting was also nice, I love stories set in small towns, I'm not sure why, but I do. They normally have a funny character or two.
The main issue for me was although I loved the banter. To me, reading this it felt more like Ben would have been a better character for the romance. Rey's wit was great for the story, but Sam and Ben's love seeped through more in this. This book felt more sad than hopeful for me. Maybe had it been about Ben and Sam, and the time they were together, instead of Sam moving on.
When I read about Sam's memories of Ben my heart broke. I could feel how much he loved Ben. It all made me wonder why he was placed in the story, maybe without Ben things would have felt better. It even had more emotion for me than Rey talking about Faith, and that is never a good thing. It was just such a shame, I normally don't read books like these, and this is one of the reasons why.
Although, I loved both characters individually, together they did not make the greatest couple for me. As I have said apart from banter, they felt very stiff to me and that's not something I want to say about a couple in my mm romance. It was a pity but the chemistry was not there.
Through all the good and the bad this is a good book. The story might appeal more to other people. I have my taste and while the it's had some fairly good reviews, it would not be a personal favourite of mine. I will check out the sequel, though. I just hope I connect to it more.
The main issue for me was although I loved the banter. To me, reading this it felt more like Ben would have been a better character for the romance. Rey's wit was great for the story, but Sam and Ben's love seeped through more in this. This book felt more sad than hopeful for me. Maybe had it been about Ben and Sam, and the time they were together, instead of Sam moving on.
When I read about Sam's memories of Ben my heart broke. I could feel how much he loved Ben. It all made me wonder why he was placed in the story, maybe without Ben things would have felt better. It even had more emotion for me than Rey talking about Faith, and that is never a good thing. It was just such a shame, I normally don't read books like these, and this is one of the reasons why.
Although, I loved both characters individually, together they did not make the greatest couple for me. As I have said apart from banter, they felt very stiff to me and that's not something I want to say about a couple in my mm romance. It was a pity but the chemistry was not there.
Through all the good and the bad this is a good book. The story might appeal more to other people. I have my taste and while the it's had some fairly good reviews, it would not be a personal favourite of mine. I will check out the sequel, though. I just hope I connect to it more.
July 4, 2018
7/4/18
FREE today via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Repairs-1...
And the sequel Color of Grace is 99c: https://www.amazon.com/Color-Grace-Co...
FREE today via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Repairs-1...
And the sequel Color of Grace is 99c: https://www.amazon.com/Color-Grace-Co...
November 1, 2016
2,5 stars.
I read two of A.M.Arthur's books before and liked them just fine but this one... I really had to push myself through it. I saw it on the list of books with traumatized characters, and boy, it definitely had traumatized characters, and I love-love-love traumatized characters. But it only helped this book just a little. I don't know. It was readable. Neither better nor worse than hundreds of other contemporary m/m - and the problem is that after reading hundreds of them, they really merge into one grey, indistinguishable mass. There was no plot to speak of (unless you count "let's compare our owwies"). But it's okay if the plot is secondary in m/m romance - if there are likable characters with great chemistry between them. Unfortunately, there was not - not for me.
All right, Samuel was likable: strong, and reliable, and caring, and yeah, traumatized. But Rey... I didn't like him by the middle of the book, then I liked him even less, then I didn't care. I honestly have a problem with characters like that: so proud they cannot accept help, so proud that someone has to bend backwards to give them this help, beg them to accept it and feel guilty for offering it. Pride is one of seven deadly sins for a reason, you know? You can say Rey was like that because no one helped him in his life but really, no wonder they didn't - if he behaves like such a bitch when someone tries. What he said to Samuel about losing Ben was so shitty and low, I couldn't care less what hang-ups he had, I just didn't want to know anything about him after that.
And since there was so little likable about Rey, I couldn't feel any chemistry between him and Samuel, too. What connected them? It was almost like Sam imprinted on the first gay guy he met since he started his new life.
Kept getting bored during sex scenes - well, that's a certain sign something didn't work for me.
Well, the action in the last part of the book saved it from being two-star but... I don't think I want more of these series.
I read two of A.M.Arthur's books before and liked them just fine but this one... I really had to push myself through it. I saw it on the list of books with traumatized characters, and boy, it definitely had traumatized characters, and I love-love-love traumatized characters. But it only helped this book just a little. I don't know. It was readable. Neither better nor worse than hundreds of other contemporary m/m - and the problem is that after reading hundreds of them, they really merge into one grey, indistinguishable mass. There was no plot to speak of (unless you count "let's compare our owwies"). But it's okay if the plot is secondary in m/m romance - if there are likable characters with great chemistry between them. Unfortunately, there was not - not for me.
All right, Samuel was likable: strong, and reliable, and caring, and yeah, traumatized. But Rey... I didn't like him by the middle of the book, then I liked him even less, then I didn't care. I honestly have a problem with characters like that: so proud they cannot accept help, so proud that someone has to bend backwards to give them this help, beg them to accept it and feel guilty for offering it. Pride is one of seven deadly sins for a reason, you know? You can say Rey was like that because no one helped him in his life but really, no wonder they didn't - if he behaves like such a bitch when someone tries. What he said to Samuel about losing Ben was so shitty and low, I couldn't care less what hang-ups he had, I just didn't want to know anything about him after that.
And since there was so little likable about Rey, I couldn't feel any chemistry between him and Samuel, too. What connected them? It was almost like Sam imprinted on the first gay guy he met since he started his new life.
Kept getting bored during sex scenes - well, that's a certain sign something didn't work for me.
Well, the action in the last part of the book saved it from being two-star but... I don't think I want more of these series.
March 3, 2017
Likable MCs, but not together
I liked each of the MCs separately, Sam and Rey
Their backstories that were slowly and tantalizingly revealed. And once revealed, were interesting.
The supporting characters were engaging and added to the story, especially Jennie's subplot. I enjoyed her friendship with Rey and his other friendships.
However, I did not like the pairing of Sam and Rey. There was something off about these two together. I didn't feel any connection between the two of them as a basis for a love connection or beginnings of a relationship. AM Author takes a leisurely approach to unfold these characters and their back stories, but since I didn't care for Sam and Rey together, the book felt longer than it was. But again, Sam and Rey were each great characters.
Again, I will say that they were each interesting and worthy MCs, I just wish they each had been paired with different people in a different book.
AM Arthur is a skillful writer who crafts compelling characters but this didn't work for me in the way that I would have liked.
NTS: This was lent to me by "Lou" from Tal's kindle group, though I own the rest of the series.
NTS: MMRG Ultimate Challenge February 1, 2017 - January 31, 2017, February/March bonus. State Pennsylvania.
I liked each of the MCs separately, Sam and Rey
Their backstories that were slowly and tantalizingly revealed. And once revealed, were interesting.
The supporting characters were engaging and added to the story, especially Jennie's subplot. I enjoyed her friendship with Rey and his other friendships.
However, I did not like the pairing of Sam and Rey. There was something off about these two together. I didn't feel any connection between the two of them as a basis for a love connection or beginnings of a relationship. AM Author takes a leisurely approach to unfold these characters and their back stories, but since I didn't care for Sam and Rey together, the book felt longer than it was. But again, Sam and Rey were each great characters.
Again, I will say that they were each interesting and worthy MCs, I just wish they each had been paired with different people in a different book.
AM Arthur is a skillful writer who crafts compelling characters but this didn't work for me in the way that I would have liked.
NTS: This was lent to me by "Lou" from Tal's kindle group, though I own the rest of the series.
NTS: MMRG Ultimate Challenge February 1, 2017 - January 31, 2017, February/March bonus. State Pennsylvania.
Want to read
November 15, 2013Free on Amazon today:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HQ58CK
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HQ58CK
February 5, 2013
4.0 Stars
Police officer Samuel Briggs fled New Mexico after tragically losing his partner of five years. Looking for a fresh start in small-town Stratton, PA, he buys a fixer-upper and starts to meet people on his beat. Although he’s not looking to get involved, he can’t help his attraction for Reign (“Rey”) King – Dixie’s Cup short-order cook and part-time handyman. Rey, however, has a past and problems of his own. One afternoon of impulsive, no-strings sex grows into a cautious friendship and then turns into a roommates-with-benefits arrangement after Rey is seriously injured protecting a friend. Despite their painful pasts and challenges for the future, Samuel and Rey find love and hope together.
I enjoyed this book. It was interesting that the author wrote the first half of the book from Samuel’s POV, the second half from Rey’s POV, and the last 15% alternating back and forth between the two. I think it would have been more effective to alternate throughout but that’s just me. I liked both of the MCs. Fair warning: this story was draining insofar as both MCs carried heavy baggage and struggled with major issues outside of their “relationship.” At times, I felt like “man, can’t anyone catch a break?” I was pretty strung out half way through the book! Hope and optimism inched their way in during the last 25% but dayum that was almost too little, too late for me. Thankfully I hung on because I was satisfied at the end. Well, sorta. I did feel that the author left one big question mark out there: .
Bottom line: an angsty and sometimes torturous ride.
Police officer Samuel Briggs fled New Mexico after tragically losing his partner of five years. Looking for a fresh start in small-town Stratton, PA, he buys a fixer-upper and starts to meet people on his beat. Although he’s not looking to get involved, he can’t help his attraction for Reign (“Rey”) King – Dixie’s Cup short-order cook and part-time handyman. Rey, however, has a past and problems of his own. One afternoon of impulsive, no-strings sex grows into a cautious friendship and then turns into a roommates-with-benefits arrangement after Rey is seriously injured protecting a friend. Despite their painful pasts and challenges for the future, Samuel and Rey find love and hope together.
I enjoyed this book. It was interesting that the author wrote the first half of the book from Samuel’s POV, the second half from Rey’s POV, and the last 15% alternating back and forth between the two. I think it would have been more effective to alternate throughout but that’s just me. I liked both of the MCs. Fair warning: this story was draining insofar as both MCs carried heavy baggage and struggled with major issues outside of their “relationship.” At times, I felt like “man, can’t anyone catch a break?” I was pretty strung out half way through the book! Hope and optimism inched their way in during the last 25% but dayum that was almost too little, too late for me. Thankfully I hung on because I was satisfied at the end. Well, sorta. I did feel that the author left one big question mark out there: .
Bottom line: an angsty and sometimes torturous ride.
September 23, 2015
What the blurb says:
Warning: Contains one emotionally wrecked cop, one angsty short-order cook, a few too many secrets, some meddling small-town folk, and plenty of hot man-on-man action.
What it should have said:
Warning: Contains two emotionally broken men with a fuck-ton of baggage, secrets, some okay man-on-man action, and a lot of moments that will make you feel terrible for the characters, but ultimately happy your life isn't so bad.
Rey and Sam, and their pain, tragedy, and terrible pasts, were portrayed very realistically. I found it a bit depressing and kept waiting for the "feel good" moment. Thing is, when that moment came? Didn't feel so good.
Warning: Contains one emotionally wrecked cop, one angsty short-order cook, a few too many secrets, some meddling small-town folk, and plenty of hot man-on-man action.
What it should have said:
Warning: Contains two emotionally broken men with a fuck-ton of baggage, secrets, some okay man-on-man action, and a lot of moments that will make you feel terrible for the characters, but ultimately happy your life isn't so bad.
Rey and Sam, and their pain, tragedy, and terrible pasts, were portrayed very realistically. I found it a bit depressing and kept waiting for the "feel good" moment. Thing is, when that moment came? Didn't feel so good.
June 18, 2012
A beautiful story of redemption and love and moving on with life.
I don't think I have read many books where both MC have had so much hardship, grief and just plain bad luck as Sam and Rey have had, but despite that they want to live and love, even if it takes them a while to figure that out.
I am not a big fan of angst, so to be honest I was a bit worried ,but I shouldn't have been, it was just the right amount to keep it interesting without weighing it down in tortured hero syndrome, even if there were times I was getting frustrated for every step forward there were two steps back.
But I was sad to see it end, and I really am hoping for more from these two and maybe some of the others from Dixie's.
I don't think I have read many books where both MC have had so much hardship, grief and just plain bad luck as Sam and Rey have had, but despite that they want to live and love, even if it takes them a while to figure that out.
I am not a big fan of angst, so to be honest I was a bit worried ,but I shouldn't have been, it was just the right amount to keep it interesting without weighing it down in tortured hero syndrome, even if there were times I was getting frustrated for every step forward there were two steps back.
But I was sad to see it end, and I really am hoping for more from these two and maybe some of the others from Dixie's.
June 7, 2012
This really has everything I look for in a story. Really engaging characters and great storyline.
I love a small town story and throw in a cop, I'm so there.
I enjoyed this but it was almost too angsty for me.
Rey and Samuel really work together. They have wonderful chemistry together. This is a wonderfully written book. Great dialogue and descriptions. I hope we see a sequel to this, I want to know where these characters go from here.
I love a small town story and throw in a cop, I'm so there.
I enjoyed this but it was almost too angsty for me.
Rey and Samuel really work together. They have wonderful chemistry together. This is a wonderfully written book. Great dialogue and descriptions. I hope we see a sequel to this, I want to know where these characters go from here.
August 5, 2012
I came into this book not expecting a whole lot, and came away pleasntly surprised. The writing was smooth, fluient, touching, captivating, and arresting in all the places that it needed to be. The love-making scenes stood out for their burnished, lambent grace, and would have earned five stars on their own, had they not ended with that silly business of tying off the used condom at the end. NO, I mean NO guy does that.
As with all well-written stories, the characters stayed with me long after I finished reading the last words, a sure sign that I had come to care for them very deeply. A well-crafted and engaging read.
As with all well-written stories, the characters stayed with me long after I finished reading the last words, a sure sign that I had come to care for them very deeply. A well-crafted and engaging read.
March 1, 2015
Slow burning and satisfying... I wanted more at the end... and that is a good thing...
July 5, 2019
One of my favourites
4 ⭐️
Re-Read – New edition – no major changes I could see
I love this book, it’s not perfect but it just gives me pure enjoyment.
I liked that both of the guys come to the relationship with their own set of issues. And lot gets thrown at the guys. It seems every time we turn around something is triggering one of them.
I feel for Rey as life must feel like a never ending tunnel that he just can’t escape from. Choices were made and I really can’t blame him for the choices he made, I believe I would do exactly the same thing. But with the lemons life has given him, he just gets on with it. Until it comes crashing down, you never really hear him feeling sorry for himself.
Sam’s issues are hidden so very well by his easy going attitude. He uprooted his life to make a new one away from his painful past and I applaud that. He has his routines that help him focus and keep control of his life. I understand these as subconsciously I do a number of these myself.
I loved seeing the guys work their way around each other and get to know each other.
I look forward to continuing this series
4 ⭐️
Re-Read – New edition – no major changes I could see
I love this book, it’s not perfect but it just gives me pure enjoyment.
I liked that both of the guys come to the relationship with their own set of issues. And lot gets thrown at the guys. It seems every time we turn around something is triggering one of them.
I feel for Rey as life must feel like a never ending tunnel that he just can’t escape from. Choices were made and I really can’t blame him for the choices he made, I believe I would do exactly the same thing. But with the lemons life has given him, he just gets on with it. Until it comes crashing down, you never really hear him feeling sorry for himself.
Sam’s issues are hidden so very well by his easy going attitude. He uprooted his life to make a new one away from his painful past and I applaud that. He has his routines that help him focus and keep control of his life. I understand these as subconsciously I do a number of these myself.
I loved seeing the guys work their way around each other and get to know each other.
I look forward to continuing this series
May 31, 2019
Ok, I’ve decided A.M. Amthur and I just don’t work. I loved the Clean Ranch books, but I’ve hated everything else. I started out loving this book, but the constant anger and fighting just wore me down. It was just too much drama. I’m done. I had this book already so that’s why I read it. Thankfully I don’t have any more.
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