Grasp

Significant Brothers #2

by E. Davies

Entspricht 228 Romanseiten.

Eigentlich freut sich Falcon auf die Hochzeit seiner Schwester… wäre da nicht das kleine Detail, dass sein Ex-Freund Spencer dort sein wird, der ihm vor Jahren das Herz gebrochen hat. Während er sich im Zoo für sein Hochzeitsgeschenk – ein Erdmännchen-Gemälde – inspirieren lässt, lernt Falcon den Tierarzt Blane kennen, der sich zwar mürrisch gibt, jedoch ein Herz aus Gold hat. Schnell liegt für Falcon die Lösung seiner Probleme auf der Hand: Blane muss ihn auf die Hochzeit begleiten, um Spencer zu beweisen, dass Falcon über ihn hinweg ist. Dafür muss er allerdings all seine Überzeugungskraft aufbieten, denn Blane ist von der Idee nicht gerade begeistert. Je mehr Zeit die beiden Männer miteinander verbringen, desto mehr kratzt Falcons fröhliche Art an Blanes harter Schale und gerade, als ihr gemeinsames Glück zum Greifen nah ist, droht Falcons Vergangenheit, alles zu zerstören, was sie sich aufgebaut haben…

Band 2 der "Significant Brothers"-Reihe. Buch ist in sich abgeschlossen.

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

242 pages, Paperback

First published August 23, 2017

About the author

E. Davies writes feel-good, low-angst romance that never fades to black when the going gets good! Born in Canada, after 16 moves and counting, Ed has finally put down roots in north London.

He emerges from his writing nest to coo over fuzzy animals, flee from cute guys, dance through the streets with his chosen family, put together fierce looks, and—most of all—befriend local flowers.

Newsletter: edaviesbooks.com/subscribe
Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/edavies

Reviews

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grasp is the second in a series on a band of brothers, Significant Brothers. What I love about each of these books is their lightheartedness and low angst because sometimes you just need a getaway and these provide that. In this series we meet Blane a zoo veterinarian and Falcon a surviving artist. Falcon is leery of relationships after a bad breakup. Blane is searching for something more real than his recent hookups and somewhat resigned to never discovering it. The chemistry between these two is instant and their interactions draw you in.

One of my favorite things in my books is when we get to see the wider world around the MCs. Grasp provides that, from Blane’s coworker, to his ‘brothers,’ to Falcon’s family and best friend. They all provided humor and realism to the story. I can’t wait for the next book.

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Significant Brothers series was a big improvement for me! No insta-love and some great passionate sex. The story line was a bit thin, but this is a great KU book to lull you into some dreamy sighs for little to no monetary effort.

Recommended!

Roman and Oscar next???

[L Ann]

DNF @ 50%. I made it to the halfway point and I still don't care about this relationship. 😮‍💨 Falcon and Blane are great characters but they just don't have the same spark that Nico and Deen did in book one. I couldn't tear myself away from that story, whereas with this one, I find myself constantly distracted. Even listening to the audiobook didn't help.
No rating.

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one even more than the first in the series and that's going some because I really liked Splinter which got me over a huge book slump when I finished Axios: A Spartan Tale from Jaclyn Osborn

Blane and Falcon were a perfect partnership, although both had enough fears to mean they took their sweet time to communicate how they were really feeling to each other. However, there's relatively no angst in this one and - once they do decide to try for a casual thing - the build up in sexual tension as they move from heavy snogging to blow jobs to frotting and then a full on sex scene which oozes chemistry and emotions, is absolutely delicious.

As with book one, Ed has snuck in song lyrics from various different artists, my favourite in this one being his Spice Girls line about If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends which had me chuckling out loud.

We also get to meet Falcon's best friend Oscar, who has an interesting encounter with Blane's "Significant Brother" Roman and let me just say - hot pilot with dancer - sign me up now please!

I just like Ed's style of writing, it's casual without being sloppy, it's emotional without being overly dramatic, it's expressive without relying on plot bunnies and it's seriously sexy without being a porn fest.

It's just normal people living ordinary lives falling in love and it works for me.

#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

E. Davies' Significant Brothers series continues with Grasp.

My heart went out to Blane from the opening scene. Looking for a long term, serious boyfriend through Grindr hookups must be seriously frustrating, and he's such a sweetie, he deserves a bf who can give him what he wants.

Falcon is a little bit of a goof, but his heart is in the right place and Blane's steadying influence makes them a great match.

Yes, it's insta-love, but these guys are so ripe for it, it's a case of right guy, right time so it works for this couple.

E. Davies includes some charming scenes at the zoo, which I was looking forward to from the moment I found out one of the significant brothers was a vet at the local zoo. There are also some scenes involving Falcon's skeevie ex which adds a nice bit of drama to the tale.

Beautifully performed by Greg Boudreaux, his warm, sultry voice is perfect for this cast. I also enjoyed Mr. Boudreaux's southern belle accent for Blane's boss.

I can hardly wait to find out which one of the significant brothers' tale is next!

an audiobook copy of Grasp was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review

[Gustaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread Sep 2022

[Kaity · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5 stars

just because i am giving this book and the last book in the series a 3 star doesn't mean i won't read them again. these are a perfect low angst story. the main issue is the insta love, that trope for me doesn't always work but for these stories so far works.

the writing is easy to follow and you root for the guys to get together.

Also the shining star for this book was Aunt Vera, she was literally the best with the one liners haha

i can't wait to see what oscar and roman have for us next!

[Rachel Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably not my favorite thing I have read from this author, but if you want some fluff and some heat and a cast of great characters, I think people will still really enjoy this story. While you don't have to have read the first book, the overall group of characters overlap (it was nice to get an update on Nico and Deen!) and I think you'd enjoy it more.

I think after reading the F-word series, which was such an amazing series, that this one felt a bit formulaic and bland for me, personally. It took me several days to get through this story as I just kept getting distracted and saying "oh, I'll get back to it," which isn't something that I usually do when a book just grabs my complete attention.

That's not to say that I didn't enjoy it. The writing is well done, the chemistry and sex is always excellent, and it's a sweet story. I love this group of characters, all of the significant brothers, and I can't wait for more stories - Dustin, Roman - whoever is up next I'm looking forward to his story!

ARC provided for an honest review.

[Calila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyable low drama read. I loved that the one instance of angst is cleared up immediately like ADULTS. The romance is really sweet and adorable. The characters were great and you really root for them. Their snark matches up perfectly. I don't know that I'll remember this in 10 books but it was still a nice book.

[Kirstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely loving this series. This book was everything!!!

[Marthea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3+
Szczerze mówiąc, choć ta seria to żadne mistrzostwo świata, to słodkie i urocze te książki 😁 Świetnie mi się czyta, dokładnie czegoś takiego szukałam w ramach lekkiej, nieskomplikowanej, ale zostawiającej same pozytywne odczucia lektury 😁

[Enlightenup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Palate cleanser

It was engaing, both Blaine and Falcon were fully fleshed characters, both flawed but willing to get Grasp unto what they but needed, eventually. Throw in funny family members of Falcon and a crazy closeted ex, again Falcon and we have the perfect formula I love in MM romance

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome add to the series. Reading this just made my day! It makes you feel good and I don't know but everyone else but escaping into a book that makes you smile is the best thing ever. What I'm loving most so far with this series is the couples seem so different in the beginning (opposites attract kinda thing) but with each character you gain more insight that they aren't really different where it counts. Blane is a vet and a romantic at heart, there's nothing is sexier then a guy who loves animals. Falcon's a artist who is sassy and blunt, but broken waiting for someone to heal him while he tries to heal himself. This book has great moments, best friend moments, stupid ex-boyfriend moments, and more adorable Significant Brothers moments. Amazing job E. Davies!!! Can't wait for the next (Roman and Oscar's book?) I voluntarily reviewed an 'Advance Author’s Copy' of this book.

[namericanwordcat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
I have come to really like E. Davies writing. It is a bit of a comfort read. There could be more depth but the characters are always likable and intersting and I want them to have an happily ever after.

Here we have a zoo vet and artist. Lots of fun flirting and dating. Their backstories could be more developed but the romance is lovely and hot.

[Ed Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an enjoyable read. I loved Blane and Falcon. This is my second Significant Brothers book and I can’t wait to start number 3. If you’re looking for a sweet love story with not a lot of angst this is your book.

[Isabella ~Mikku-chan~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*

This second book in the Significant Brothers series which can be read as a stand-alone deals with Blane, the long-term friend of Nick from Splinter, and Falcon, an artist who met Blane in the zoo where Blane works.

The tension and chemistry is right there, from the start the sparks are flying. It is kinda insta-love which I really liked.

Falcon is a charming chararacter, he has his funny scenes, knows how to lead a banter and Blane and he are totally talk the same language. The most charming thing about Falcon is his blushing and that, despite he is so self-confident he is unsure when it comes to relationships.

Blane is displayed as a grumpy vet working in a zoo and it needs Falcon to break the "ice". :D I really liked how deep his connection to his friends is, something we already knew from the first book. But in this book the focus is a bit stronger on the weekly meetings, and especially his friendship with Roman is displayed. It also gives maybe a small hint which pairing is next, but it isn't confirmed yet. :)

The reappearances of the other guys of the group is charming, it gives Blane a background and a depth, his interaction with his co-worker in the zoo is also pretty indicating how his chararacter is.

Falcon also get his scenes, especially his relationship to his family, to his sister, his sister in law and his mother is charming and a totally adorable. The "drama" with his former "ex"-boyfriend is a good side-story and the trouble soon revealed and solved. :)

As I said the tension is right there, from the start, and due to their banter and their humorous interactions, there is a lot of fun in the erotic scenes. It feels natural how both guys react towards each other, though sometimes it was a bit "too" fast. Not too much but this time a few tiny things were missing. Still, a great read.

This book gets 4.5 out of 5 stars, I can't give full stars but it's not that I disliked it, quite the contrary. :) But a few minor aspects didn't satify me at the end. :)
I'm really curious who's book is next. I'm still most excited to read Dustin's story. :D

Review originally posted on my blog with added content Mikku-chan / A world full of words

[Elithanathile · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like the book, so this IS a positive rating! It just felt a bit formulaic and predictably E. Davies, so while I DID like it, I found myself getting distracted, preoccupied, and bored toward the end. If this were my first E. Davies read, I probably would have rated it higher, but since I ended up skimming a bit toward the end (and even during some *GASP* sex scenes, which I NEVER do), I couldn't like it more than just, well, liking it :-/, if that makes sense!! I still gave this 3 solid stars, just because I do acknowledge that while this was nothing special for me, this WAS a nice read :-)!!

[Gabis Laberladen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darum geht’s:

Der Künstler Falcon war das schmutzige Geheimnis seiner nicht geouteten ersten großen Liebe. Seitdem hält er seine Bekanntschaften oberflächlich, denn er hat keine Lust darauf, so etwas noch einmal mitzumachen. Der Tierarzt Blane ist eigentlich auf der Suche nach einer festen Beziehung, doch alle Männer, die er kennenlernt, machen sich nach einem One Night Stand davon. Als die beiden im Zoo aufeinander treffen, ist es Sympathie auf den ersten Blick.

Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier

[AL♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grasp is the second book in the Significant Brothers series.
Grasp can be read as a standalone, but I would definitely suggest reading Splinter as Nico and Deen do make guest appearance in this book.
This book is low angst but sexy read.
I love Falcon. Falcon is funny and sexy and is perfect for grumpy (but just as sexy) Blane.
The chemistry between the two MCs is HOT!!
I can't wait for the next Significant Brother to get their book!!!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. I absolutely loved this! It’s a fake relationship story, but in name only because those men were so smitten the entire time it was ridiculous (and ridiculously amazing). It’s super sweet and fluffy, but not lacking in substance because of it. Plenty of good steamy scenes (with a good build up to them), and lots of light hearted humor. Definitely has me even more geared up for the rest of the series.

[Leelah🍁♋️ Orion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Close

This book almost got DNFed many times but some kind of way it just kept sucking me back in. I feel like I’m at Weird juxtaposition. There were parts I liked that worked well and others I thought was confusing, cheesy weird. I don’t know. So I’ll leave it at that

[Soph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good easy read

I am enjoying this books. I think I'll marathon the whole series. They are so easy to read and have such great plot and characters. I can't stop once I've started.

[Diane Dannenfeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have loved to see Spencer punished for what he did.

[Kim Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 in this series. Zoo Vet Blane’s story with his new love artist Falcon. We see the other significant brothers and get updates on Nico and Deen. Enjoying this series.

[Apolishedreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up because zoo vet and meerkats and painter.
The ending was a bit out there, but I am really liking the Significant Brothers and plan to read the rest in the series. (I liked this book better than book 1.)

[Kendra T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blane is one of the Significant Brothers from Splinter (with Nico and Deen), and he is a vet at the zoo. Falcon is an artist whose sister is getting married. As a wedding gift, he decides to make her a picture of meerkats, and he heads to the zoo where Blane is working. Instant attraction + Flirting = a great story of two guys, who always wanted more but were afraid due to being burned in the past, coming together and finding happiness.

There were definitely moments where the guys needed to communicate more overall, but I thought the pacing was wonderful. There wasn't a ton of angst, and the guys were able to get to know each other pretty comfortably. I really loved the interactions with Falcon's family.

Edited to add audiobook review:
Greg Boudreaux did an awesome job with this book. I’m becoming picky about narrators that I like to listen too, but he did awesome. I really felt like he had the right voices for the guys and the right tempo for the book. I loved listening to it.

I'm voluntarily reviewing a free advance reader copy I received from the author.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Sexy

I'm really enjoy this series so far. Blane and Falcon made a cute couple. I really liked Falcon's family and their reaction to Falcon's ex-boyfriend. I like how Davies brought back the couple from the first book without overshadowing the next couple. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

[Pam Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something I am coming to enjoy in these books, both characters have unique jobs.
Zoo Vet Blane and Painter Falcon meet and find an attraction I loved it, just what I needed after listening to a pretty intense book.
Their friendship grew into a relationship they could both depend on. I loved that Falcon was there for Blane no questions, just 100% faith.
Great narration as well.

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Significant, Indeed

This series is so splendidly constructed, beautifully written, and each book interdependent on the others—and the previous ones in order—that the only justifiable review I can think of is to combine them all into one.

Caveat: I am not kidding that you must read them in order, no matter what the promotions or other reviewers might say. That’s the only way to get the richness of the lives of all six of the Significant Brothers and their eventual intendeds. The great thing about what author Davies has done is include in each book a brief back story of how these six men came together to develop their own family by bonding in high school and staying with each other for another decade through thick and thin.

My only complaint is that some of the covers can lead you to be a bit confused as who is who, but for the big guy is the “brother” in five of them, I think.

All that said, here’s a brief review of each of the tales, each of which I grace with five stars.

Splinter
Nico the ex-astronaut is now a Park Ranger in the Great Smokies, and Deen the jaded rock star is on a hiatus from his infamous debauchery. That they should be thrown together in the forest and no only survive a splinter or two but come together as lovers is a sweet, and sometimes adventurous, tale. This book sets the tone, and introduces us to the other brothers. Nico is quite conflicted about how he lost his career in space, and Deen is getting more and more disillusioned with life on the road. Can Knoxville bring them both down to earth?

Grasp
Maybe the sweetest romance of the books, this one pits the big and sometimes gruff zoo vet Blane against the free spirited and artistic Falcon. They meet at the zoo where Falcon has taken up an artist stance to capture meerkats in action for a series of paintings. Though instantly attracted, both put up physical and emotional barriers until it becomes obvious to friends and families that this is stupid. How their romance progresses is one of the neat stories of the series.

Slick
Roman, the somewhat out international airline pilot, and Oscar, the dynamic and suddenly devastatingly injured classical dancer, run into each other somewhat haphazardly. Very much a one-night stand kind of guy, Roman starts to think a little more domestically (which he’s always longed for) as Oscar starts moving in the opposite direction because they are basically always on the road. How they come together with the help of the brothers, and their own frustrations, is compromised by a jealous jerk in each of their lives. Interesting how they approach the problems and how they are ironed out.

Trace
This one’s MCs are a bit off-the-grid for me, but in the end they seem to fit just as well as the others. Dustin is almost an introvert, which sets him apart from the brothers as much as his physical stature, which is smaller (the cover of this one is very confusing). Leo, on the other hand, is sort of like Nico in the first book—he’s an ex-military (close enough to an astronaut for me), built like a brick outhouse, and trying to find his way after four years in the service. And even though he has (naively and somewhat shockingly) never given much of a thought to his sexuality, his is the only eventual gay-for-you story in the series, and it took me a while to get used to that. The nasty bits of homophobia that dance around this tale are the eventual crises points, but in the end two completely ill-suited men get what they need from the bothers, and each other.

Clutch
This is the conflict-of-interest one wherein brother Tyler, the car racing pro, gets completely wrecked and needs deep physical—if not emotional—therapy. And who would give him that service? Well, openly gay therapist Alec. When they meet all bets are off as they are inflammable to the touch whenever they are near. This leads to a lot of hands-off planning, moist of which doesn’t work until Alec wisely refers Tyler to another therapist. The conflicts don’t end, however, and it takes some kick-butt stuff from the brothers, especially farmer John, whom we get to know here in a sort of prelude to the last book, to get these two together Nice denouement.

Tremble
This one has the best brother IMHO, John, the proprietor of a dude ranch, and the most unconvincing set-up for his get together with Evan. The latter is virtually left at the altar by his seriously nasty, dominant fiancé while Leo (see Trace) is taking their pre-wedding photos at the ranch. John is instantly smitten by the extremely naïve and trusting Evan, and it turns out that John, in his own way, is also naïve and very, very trusting. If you can get past the incongruity of how Evam was dumped and who did it, and wander along with him and John, you might find this one of the better, if not the best, of the series. Which I did.

Have fun with a grand series.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blane is a "everyone knows I'm gay" but "I'm not really 'out' yet" veterinarian. Every man he has tried dating, doesn't understand being a vet, you sometimes are called out at odd hours and sometimes you do bring your work (wild animals) home with you.
Falcon is an artist. He does quite well for himself (contrary as to what a lot of people think when they think of an "artist".). Falcon's sister is getting married and is into unusual art. Falcon gets the bright idea to study meerkats and do up some paintings as a wedding gift. To do so, he must visit the zoo where Blane happens to be the vet.
After a lot of dancing around each other, a few tense moments, things finally get heated. Falcon is nothing like Blane expects. After mentioning the zoo often host initiated paint workshops and grinds messages, they set up a tentative "first date" for an auction to raise money for the zoo. Before they even get to the first date they run into each other in the grocery story, which sets off a hot night of passion.
The first date goes well until Falcon gets an unexpected call from a former "totally and deeply in the closet" ex. The only man he's ever had a real relationship with, if you can call it that. Things don't go so well. His ex has decided (several years later mind you) he wants another go with Falcon (no matter how much he hurt him the first time) and is none to happy to hear Falcon has moved on.
This seems to stay fairly casual with Blane and both think they are happy with the arrangement... Even with the ex butting back in. Falcon takes Blane to his sister's wedding where the ex (until now no one knew about) starts stirring the pot, trying to cause havoc not just at the wedding but takes it a step further, trying to sabotage Blane's career and get Falcon back.
Is the relationship serious enough to fight this nightmare? Will Blane keep his job? The "evidence" is extremely damaging not just for Blane, but the zoo as well. Can his reputation be salvaged? It's a PR nightmare.
This book was given to me to review. While well extremely well written, something didn't seem as strong as previous stories. The plot was really good, characters outstanding, dramatic enough to make me wanting to keep the pages turning. However, I still felt a little something missing from previous stories. I am just not sure what. I can not put my finger on it. It could be I was ill when reading (flu, not the book!!).

With that said, I can not wait for the next book and books in this series. I will continue to read and support his writings.