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Johnnies #5
Bobby Green
Vern Roberts couldn’t wait to turn eighteen and get the hell out of Dogpatch, California. But city living is expensive, and he’s damned desperate when Dex from Johnnies spots him bussing tables.
As “Bobby,” he's a natural at gay porn. Soon he’s surrounded by hot guys and sex for the taking, but it’s not just his girlfriend back in Dogpatch—or her blackmailing brother—that keeps him from taking it. It's the sweet guy who held the lights for his first solo scene, who showed him decency, kindness, and a smile.
Reg Williams likes to think he's too stupid to realize what a shitty hand life dealt him, but Bobby knows better. What Reg lacks in family, opportunity, education, and money, he makes up for in heart. One fumbling step at a time, they connect, not just in their hearts but in their bodies, where sex that’s not on camera, casual, or meaningless, becomes the most important thing in the world.
But Reg is hampered by an inescapable family burden, and he and Bobby will never fly unless he can find a way to manage it. Can he break the painful link to his unrealized childhood and grow into the love Bobby wants to give?
As “Bobby,” he's a natural at gay porn. Soon he’s surrounded by hot guys and sex for the taking, but it’s not just his girlfriend back in Dogpatch—or her blackmailing brother—that keeps him from taking it. It's the sweet guy who held the lights for his first solo scene, who showed him decency, kindness, and a smile.
Reg Williams likes to think he's too stupid to realize what a shitty hand life dealt him, but Bobby knows better. What Reg lacks in family, opportunity, education, and money, he makes up for in heart. One fumbling step at a time, they connect, not just in their hearts but in their bodies, where sex that’s not on camera, casual, or meaningless, becomes the most important thing in the world.
But Reg is hampered by an inescapable family burden, and he and Bobby will never fly unless he can find a way to manage it. Can he break the painful link to his unrealized childhood and grow into the love Bobby wants to give?
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2018
32 people are currently reading
520 people want to read
About the author
Amy Lane
203 books3,487 followersAmy Lane dodges an EDJ, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com orwww.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail until her head swells and she can no longer leave the house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
January 21, 2018
THIS was the old school Amy Lane story that I'd been waiting a couple of years now to read. Not this book specifically, just something a bit grittier and edgier than some of her more recent fluffy, feel-good stories.
And guys (and lady-dudes), I wasn't disappointed.
Vern Roberts was 18 and being blackmailed by his girlfriend's brother, Keith, so he knew that he had to escape from his tiny hometown of Dogpatch, California.
He was also determined to get his mother out as well, so when his construction job fell through and he was offered a job in gay porn, well, he did what had to be done to make his goals happen. As "Bobby," the newest employee of John Carey Industries, aka "Johnnies."
Bobby also has a 10" dick. Just sayin'... ;- )
There, Bobby meets Reg at his first solo shoot. At 29, Reg had done gay porn at Johnnies for a decade and wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. What he was, though, was steady and reliable, taking care of his paranoid schizophrenic sister, Veronica, since he was 16 years old and their mother split.
And let me tell you, Veronica was ex-fucking-hausting, folks.
She only did two things: Watch Fox News every waking moment and plot how to not take her anti-psychotic meds. So when she wasn't ranting about made-up conspiracies and faggots, she was actively, and very physically, attacking her devoted brother.
Like I said, ex-fucking-hausting .
Lots of events happened in quick succession, requiring that Reg ask for help from his fellow actors at Johnnies, including Bobby. Then Bobby started sleeping over and fixing up Reg's house, much like he began fixing up Reg himself.
But they never had sex.
Because they were both "straight."
And Bobby had a girlfriend back home.
So they just cuddled and slept in the same bed. Well, kinda slept, just with one eye open to make sure Veronica didn't kill them in their sleep.
As the story progressed, Bobby and Reg kept up the cuddling and not having sex, until they realized that maybe, just maybe, they weren't as completely straight as they'd thought. And that they were happier when they were together, even when just hanging out and not having sex.
Then when Bobby finally did break up with his girlfriend, the damn broke and, Lord have mercy, did the boys ever make up for lost time in the bedroom. And the kitchen. And everywhere else. ;- )
When all was said and done, yes, this story was fairly angst-ridden; however, not to the point that it felt to be too much or contrived.
The timeline of this story was roughly around the same time of Chase's attempted suicide and John's trip to rehab, so if you haven't read the previous books, you *will* probably be lost on a lot of the plot points going on around Reg and Bobby dealing with Hurricane Veronica, all while falling madly in love.
So no, I would not recommend reading "Bobby Green" as a standalone story, but lucky for you, all of the previous books were stellar and deliciously-angsty. I'd suggest starting with book 1 and working your way up to this latest book.
I'd rate this story at around 4.5 stars, mainly because this story had the same 'feel' as the previous Johnnies books and I absolutely adored revisiting all of the cast of the earlier stories. This entire series is highly recommended.
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My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
See All My Latest Reads (Review Quick-Links)
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February 5, 2018
✮4.5 Stars✮
I couldn't believe it when I found out that one of my favorite series..."Johnnies"... was getting another book! Two books from that series are on my "deserves 6 stars" shelve, "Chase in Shadow" and "Dex in Blue" so you can imagine my excitement!!
Turns out my excitement was well deserved. I loved this one, though I have to admit, that it did not top my two favorites. Before I go further into my review, I would like to advise everyone to start this series with book 1. They all take place at the same time...either simultaneously or shortly after the other. I think reading these books as stand-alone's can get quite confusing, because of all the recurring characters, that play a big part. Just read them all! 😁
Those of you who have already read the books in this series might remember Bobby, though I am gonna be honest here, and admit, that I had no freaking clue who he was.🤔 After a while, it all came back to me...must be my age.😜
Bobby, whose real name is actually Vern, can't wait to get the hell out of his hometown. He has a girlfriend he isn't really into, and a girlfriend's brother, who is blackmailing him into blowjobs...he is really into. He needs to get out, make some money and come back to get his mom out too...Getting out is easy but finding a good paying job...not so much. Thankfully Bobby has a very special asset, which catches Dex and Kane's eyes.
Before you know it, this 18 year old country boy, is doing auditions at "Johnnies"...This is where he meets Reg. Now Reg is a veteran. He has been with Johnnies for 10 years already. He is not the sharpest tool in the shed, and he is convinced, that having sex on camera (or for fun) is all he is really good at...Reg. may not be really smart, but he does have the kindest heart, which is why all the Johnnies boys love him so much. Bobby is finding that out for himself the closer he and Reg get.
There is only one problem and her name is Veronica. Veronica is Reg's older sister and she suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. Now I try to NEVER EVER judge people with a mental illness because it all hits a bit close to home for me but in this case...Veronica annoyed the hell out of me!!!
Which in turn made me annoyed with Reg, because I just wanted him to DO SOMETHING!!...Thankfully Bobby isn't about to just give up on Reg, so these two become closer and closer and finally admit that they aren't as "straight" as they thought.
I really enjoyed this awesome addition to a wonderful series! And just in case you're wondering...Dex does play a fairly big part in this one. ;)
I highly recommend it to those that don't mind a bit of angst! ❤️
My reviews are posted on DirtyBooksObsession
February 17, 2018
Believe it or not, but I just started reading this series a couple weeks ago. I know, right? A whole series filled with Amy Lane's trademark angst? I mean that's just right up my tree! So, I'm really late to the game, here, but better late than never!!
Bobby Green is about new beginnings, and learning to accept that some things are just beyond your control, and there is no shame in needing help. It's about friendship, family, and community.
Reg Williams has been filming porn for more than 10 years. He's never felt bright enough or more qualified for anything else, which is sad, but at Johnnies, Reg found family. They're a close-knit bunch and when one of them needs anything, the rest come through in spades. Reg never thought he would find someone that would want to be with him long term. Aside from the fact that he never felt intelligent enough, his paranoid schizophrenic sister, whom he's been caring for since he was 16, was enough of a danger to scare anyone away. But the loneliness was killing him slowly.
Vern "Bobby" Roberts grew up in a small town full of people with small minds. He always did what he was supposed to. Getting out of Dogpatch, CA was at the top of his priority list, though, especially when his best friend, Keith, showed that he wasn't much of a friend after all. Though he probably suspected he was gay, Vern had never felt free enough to really export his sexuality. Vern was really good with construction, so he got a job in Sacramento with the hopes of getting himself and his mom out of Dogpatch. That job didn't pan out, but he did get an offer from Dex, for Johnnies, so "Bobby" was born. And Bobby loved filming porn.
As with the other books in this series, the timelines run concurrent. We meet and see Bobby some in the other books, but he was the new guy and so he was only on the edges for most of the happenings. And Reg was so busy trying to keep his sister on her meds, we didn't see him much, either.
Bobby Green felt fresh, even though some of the events that happened were familiar. I'm happy that this book didn't make the same mistake that Ethan in Gold made. All the other guys were there, but I never once felt like they overshadowed Bobby & Reg.
I enjoyed the relationship development, here, and the exploration of each guy's sexuality. Bobby was steadfast and exactly what Reg needed and Reg was loyal to a fault and would do anything for those he loved. Reg has a huge heart and only wanted to do right by his sister. Was he really capable of caring for her when she kept scheming to avoid her meds? Well, no, but I don't think most people could do it - especially without professional support.
All in all, I loved the newest addition to the Johnnies series and would heartily recommend it to lovers of old-school Amy Lane angst.
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Review copy of Bobby Green was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
Bobby Green is about new beginnings, and learning to accept that some things are just beyond your control, and there is no shame in needing help. It's about friendship, family, and community.
Reg Williams has been filming porn for more than 10 years. He's never felt bright enough or more qualified for anything else, which is sad, but at Johnnies, Reg found family. They're a close-knit bunch and when one of them needs anything, the rest come through in spades. Reg never thought he would find someone that would want to be with him long term. Aside from the fact that he never felt intelligent enough, his paranoid schizophrenic sister, whom he's been caring for since he was 16, was enough of a danger to scare anyone away. But the loneliness was killing him slowly.
Vern "Bobby" Roberts grew up in a small town full of people with small minds. He always did what he was supposed to. Getting out of Dogpatch, CA was at the top of his priority list, though, especially when his best friend, Keith, showed that he wasn't much of a friend after all. Though he probably suspected he was gay, Vern had never felt free enough to really export his sexuality. Vern was really good with construction, so he got a job in Sacramento with the hopes of getting himself and his mom out of Dogpatch. That job didn't pan out, but he did get an offer from Dex, for Johnnies, so "Bobby" was born. And Bobby loved filming porn.
As with the other books in this series, the timelines run concurrent. We meet and see Bobby some in the other books, but he was the new guy and so he was only on the edges for most of the happenings. And Reg was so busy trying to keep his sister on her meds, we didn't see him much, either.
Bobby Green felt fresh, even though some of the events that happened were familiar. I'm happy that this book didn't make the same mistake that Ethan in Gold made. All the other guys were there, but I never once felt like they overshadowed Bobby & Reg.
I enjoyed the relationship development, here, and the exploration of each guy's sexuality. Bobby was steadfast and exactly what Reg needed and Reg was loyal to a fault and would do anything for those he loved. Reg has a huge heart and only wanted to do right by his sister. Was he really capable of caring for her when she kept scheming to avoid her meds? Well, no, but I don't think most people could do it - especially without professional support.
All in all, I loved the newest addition to the Johnnies series and would heartily recommend it to lovers of old-school Amy Lane angst.
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Review copy of Bobby Green was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2018
This fifth Johnnies book shouldn't be read as a stand alone, because the events interweave with the time frame of my favorite Chase in Shadow and the subsequent stories. Knowing who is who, and what's going on in their off-page lives, makes this a whole lot more interesting. This is classic Amy Lane - not quite the heart-ripping angst of Chase, but with plenty of emotion. I particularly liked that Reg is a simple man who remains simple - and that his good heart and his commitment to family and friends are plenty to make him a hero.
This book also highlights the difficulties in dealing with a family member with significant mental illness - the lack of good options, the cycles of hope and despair, the way you have to cling to your love for them, when they have lost contact with their relationship to you. And how sometimes you can't save someone yourself, no matter how hard you try. Reg's struggles to be everything his sister needs touched my heart.
Vern escapes a small-town life that would crush him, renames himself Bobby for Johnnies, and begins a voyage of self-discovery. And yet he's drawn back to his home town over and over to see the mother he adores, the girlfriend he has a hard time definitively pushing away, and the guy whose sexual demands become blackmail-- a could-have-been-first-love that burned into abusive long ago. He sees in Reg the opposite of that past, but it takes time, self-awareness, and a lot of adjustments for these two to really find their home in each other. If you enjoyed the first Johnnies books this is a worthy addition to the series.
This book also highlights the difficulties in dealing with a family member with significant mental illness - the lack of good options, the cycles of hope and despair, the way you have to cling to your love for them, when they have lost contact with their relationship to you. And how sometimes you can't save someone yourself, no matter how hard you try. Reg's struggles to be everything his sister needs touched my heart.
Vern escapes a small-town life that would crush him, renames himself Bobby for Johnnies, and begins a voyage of self-discovery. And yet he's drawn back to his home town over and over to see the mother he adores, the girlfriend he has a hard time definitively pushing away, and the guy whose sexual demands become blackmail-- a could-have-been-first-love that burned into abusive long ago. He sees in Reg the opposite of that past, but it takes time, self-awareness, and a lot of adjustments for these two to really find their home in each other. If you enjoyed the first Johnnies books this is a worthy addition to the series.
February 12, 2018
Hallelujah, sweet baby Jesus! Amy Lane and her old school angst are BACK, baby (and I am all about that)!
January 24, 2018
Chase in Shadow is the very first Amy Lane book I 've read. Since then, some of the author's books worked for me, some others didn't. Some books I loved, some others not so much...But The Johnnies...The Johnnies guys have a very special place on my reading shelves.
Bobby Green falls into the "good old Amy Lane" category. There's comfort and the feel-good vibe but most of al there's ANGST. Not the Beneath the Stain angst that makes you want to stay under the covers and cry, but the kind that cuts you deep in the most sneaky way. Because the heroes really, really suffer in a way that makes the reader empathize with them.
All the books in the series kind of overlap, so I would strongly recommend against reading this as a standalone. You can maybe skip Black John but it's best that you read the others (which really isn't a hardship).
I you have read the previous books, you might remember Reg (the sweet, kind hearted guy) and Bobby (the new kid). Although they weren't mentioned too often, I did remember them both (ok fine I remembered them mostly because Bobby has a ten inch dick).
The angst and the conflict comes from multiple places. Trying to take care of Reg's schizophrenic sister (or just try to avoid getting killed by her) is hanging like a stone around Reg's neck. Bobby has unfinished bussiness back in his hometown, what with trying to bring his mom in Sacramento with him and his "ex" blackmailing him.
BUT against all odds and just like that, Reg and Bobby make a connection. An honest to God deep, meaningful, romantic connection. Everyone likes Reg, but he'll soon become Bobby's boy. Because although they both sleep with other guys for the camera, they won't sleep with each other unless it means something. Bobby will accept Reg with all his baggage and he'll fix his house. And then he'll fix his life too, but not without going through hell first. And Reg will be the first one to stand up for Bobby.
Another thing that I love about this series (and is very prevalent in all books) is the sense of family among the guys. The Johnnies always have each other's back. Always.
I don't know if this is the last book in the series, but I sure hope not. There are so many people in here that deserve a HEA of their own.
Recomended!
Bobby Green falls into the "good old Amy Lane" category. There's comfort and the feel-good vibe but most of al there's ANGST. Not the Beneath the Stain angst that makes you want to stay under the covers and cry, but the kind that cuts you deep in the most sneaky way. Because the heroes really, really suffer in a way that makes the reader empathize with them.
All the books in the series kind of overlap, so I would strongly recommend against reading this as a standalone. You can maybe skip Black John but it's best that you read the others (which really isn't a hardship).
I you have read the previous books, you might remember Reg (the sweet, kind hearted guy) and Bobby (the new kid). Although they weren't mentioned too often, I did remember them both (ok fine I remembered them mostly because Bobby has a ten inch dick).
The angst and the conflict comes from multiple places. Trying to take care of Reg's schizophrenic sister (or just try to avoid getting killed by her) is hanging like a stone around Reg's neck. Bobby has unfinished bussiness back in his hometown, what with trying to bring his mom in Sacramento with him and his "ex" blackmailing him.
BUT against all odds and just like that, Reg and Bobby make a connection. An honest to God deep, meaningful, romantic connection. Everyone likes Reg, but he'll soon become Bobby's boy. Because although they both sleep with other guys for the camera, they won't sleep with each other unless it means something. Bobby will accept Reg with all his baggage and he'll fix his house. And then he'll fix his life too, but not without going through hell first. And Reg will be the first one to stand up for Bobby.
Another thing that I love about this series (and is very prevalent in all books) is the sense of family among the guys. The Johnnies always have each other's back. Always.
I don't know if this is the last book in the series, but I sure hope not. There are so many people in here that deserve a HEA of their own.
Recomended!
March 18, 2018
4.25 stars!
‘Bobby Green’ is classic Amy Lane. It’s angsty as all hell and Amy puts the lovebirds - and the reader - through the wringer, but by the end she stitches everyone together and sends them on along on their happily ever after.
Vern Roberts escapes his small hometown, and ends up as ‘Bobby’ at gay porn studio Johnnies. It makes him question a lot of things, especially his sexuality, but Bobby knows one thing for certain - he’s captivated by veteran porn actor Reg.
Life hasn’t been kind to Reg, so he doesn’t put too much faith in the relationship growing between him and Bobby. But Bobby quickly becomes the one good thing in his life.
Bobby quickly won me over. His one goal is to build a better life for himself and his mom.
Reg also has family commitments, namely his schizophrenic sister Veronica. My heart hurt for him, and for everything he had to put up with or give up in order to care for his sister.
When Bobby and Reg first meet, they’re drawn to each other, but neither takes that step towards something more. Though the two are porn stars, they take it slow and easy, and their relationship builds gradually. Instead, they cuddle and talk.
The two offer each other friendship and understanding. Both instantly just get each other, and they understand that life isn’t always sunshine and roses.
But when they’re together, the two can’t help but think of a happier life. They may share their bodies with other men on camera, but deep down in their hearts, Bobby and Reg know that they’re only meant for each other.
Once Reg and Bobby take that next step, they are on fire. These are two professional porn stars, after all!
Both of the MCs are flawed, yet realistic, characters. They make mistakes along the way, but they never give up on each other. Plus, Reg’s commitments to his sister, in particular, are a huge roadblock in any potential relationship.
It takes a lot of hard work and pain, but Bobby and Reg build the foundation for their future bit by bit, and they get a brilliant happy ending. Highly recommended for fans of the Johnnies series!
‘Bobby Green’ is classic Amy Lane. It’s angsty as all hell and Amy puts the lovebirds - and the reader - through the wringer, but by the end she stitches everyone together and sends them on along on their happily ever after.
Vern Roberts escapes his small hometown, and ends up as ‘Bobby’ at gay porn studio Johnnies. It makes him question a lot of things, especially his sexuality, but Bobby knows one thing for certain - he’s captivated by veteran porn actor Reg.
Life hasn’t been kind to Reg, so he doesn’t put too much faith in the relationship growing between him and Bobby. But Bobby quickly becomes the one good thing in his life.
Bobby quickly won me over. His one goal is to build a better life for himself and his mom.
Reg also has family commitments, namely his schizophrenic sister Veronica. My heart hurt for him, and for everything he had to put up with or give up in order to care for his sister.
When Bobby and Reg first meet, they’re drawn to each other, but neither takes that step towards something more. Though the two are porn stars, they take it slow and easy, and their relationship builds gradually. Instead, they cuddle and talk.
The two offer each other friendship and understanding. Both instantly just get each other, and they understand that life isn’t always sunshine and roses.
But when they’re together, the two can’t help but think of a happier life. They may share their bodies with other men on camera, but deep down in their hearts, Bobby and Reg know that they’re only meant for each other.
Once Reg and Bobby take that next step, they are on fire. These are two professional porn stars, after all!
Both of the MCs are flawed, yet realistic, characters. They make mistakes along the way, but they never give up on each other. Plus, Reg’s commitments to his sister, in particular, are a huge roadblock in any potential relationship.
It takes a lot of hard work and pain, but Bobby and Reg build the foundation for their future bit by bit, and they get a brilliant happy ending. Highly recommended for fans of the Johnnies series!
February 6, 2018
Reviewed for Sinfully.
Vern graduates high school and at 18 leaves his small hometown. He's truly hoping to be able to help get his mother out of that town even if he lies to himself a bit about not running away from everything that's confusing him. He leaves behind a girlfriend, as well as her brother, who he had been exchanging blowjobs with behind her back. When Vern tries to put a stop to things with Keith, he threatens to spread rumors through their town, which would make life difficult for Vern’s mother. Vern is confused about the feelings he has for Keith, and tries to put it behind him. When he becomes “Bobby” and begins shooting gay porn for Johnnies, the feelings only get stronger no matter how much he tries to explain to himself that he’s not gay and no matter how he attracted he is to the older, sweetheart of a model Reg.
Having been with Johnnies for 10 years, Reg enjoys his job and the men he works with. Reg is not very smart but he has a huge heart. He has done his best to make a life for himself and his paranoid schizophrenic older sister. He is in a bad situation trying to care for Veronica who first manipulated him as a teen into signing conservatorship papers after their mother and sister walked out on them. The promise he couldn’t fully understand when he made it so long ago has cost him a lot and is only getting harder to keep as Veronica’s condition worsens. Reg can’t help but remember the sister he loved as a child and how she protected him and he can’t bring himself to send her away, even though he now has to sleep with one eye open and hide the kitchen knives for fear of her violent rages. Bobby offers him comfort and companionship and makes him wish for things he never considered before, but Reg knows it would just be a matter of time before his situation drives Bobby away.
This is a slow burn as Bobby and Reg become friends. Bobby helps Reg with his house and his sister (as do all the Johnnies men). There are shared touches, and a huge emotional bond growing between them, but both are confused as to their sexuality. Neither thinks they are gay since they both like girls. It's clear that Bobby also has feelings for men and that those feelings are a lot more genuine than what he feels for his girlfriend. Reg seems to be bisexual, but he's not really sure what that means or how to make a relationship work with a guy. They both are starved for touch and affection though and find that comfort with each other, but Bobby refuses to have sex with Reg and that really throws Reg for a loop.
Communication is difficult between them, considering they can’t even be honest with themselves. They are so wrapped up in not being gay, not allowing themselves to go with what they feel, that they wind up hurting each other along the way, but when they finally start to open their eyes, they quickly realize that they can’t be without the other. Their relationship struggles did bring a few tears to my eyes.
I was a bit worried at first with how Reg was going to be portrayed, but I found Amy Lane did a good job of explaining the situation. He may not have a high IQ, but he’s not impaired. His upbringing has a lot to do with why he sees himself as “stupid” and the more you get to know him, the more you understand. I’ll admit to frustration with Bobby and why it took so long for it to occur to him to break up with the girlfriend he had no interest in and dreaded going back home to. I did understand the other worries he had about leaving his mother behind in Dogpatch. His mom is a wonderful secondary character and a great addition to the Johnnies cast. The biggest issue facing the men though is Veronica and it’s a story that’s not always easy to read with no simple solution.
The story runs concurrently with the timeline in the other books. While this could work as a standalone, I would suggest at least reading the amazing Chase in Shadow (though it’s a bit of a tough, angsty read dealing with mental illness as well) and Dex in Blue (still angsty but not the subject matter may not be as difficult) in order to have a better understanding of the Johnnies world and what’s going on with the other men in the story.
Not nearly as gut-wrenching as Chase or Dex’s story, there is still the emotional turmoil that the Johnnies series does so well. A running theme in these stories is building a family from those who support you even when they are not blood and that continues here. I always love it when Dex and crew step up to protect and care for their own, and they are all back here doing it again for more than just Bobby and Reg as we get to know a few more of the Johnnies models. Bobby and Reg fit right into the Johnnies mold. If you love classic Amy Lane, you will definitely find it here.
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I think I've been waiting for a Bobby story since Dex in Blue. *fingers crossed*
Vern graduates high school and at 18 leaves his small hometown. He's truly hoping to be able to help get his mother out of that town even if he lies to himself a bit about not running away from everything that's confusing him. He leaves behind a girlfriend, as well as her brother, who he had been exchanging blowjobs with behind her back. When Vern tries to put a stop to things with Keith, he threatens to spread rumors through their town, which would make life difficult for Vern’s mother. Vern is confused about the feelings he has for Keith, and tries to put it behind him. When he becomes “Bobby” and begins shooting gay porn for Johnnies, the feelings only get stronger no matter how much he tries to explain to himself that he’s not gay and no matter how he attracted he is to the older, sweetheart of a model Reg.
Having been with Johnnies for 10 years, Reg enjoys his job and the men he works with. Reg is not very smart but he has a huge heart. He has done his best to make a life for himself and his paranoid schizophrenic older sister. He is in a bad situation trying to care for Veronica who first manipulated him as a teen into signing conservatorship papers after their mother and sister walked out on them. The promise he couldn’t fully understand when he made it so long ago has cost him a lot and is only getting harder to keep as Veronica’s condition worsens. Reg can’t help but remember the sister he loved as a child and how she protected him and he can’t bring himself to send her away, even though he now has to sleep with one eye open and hide the kitchen knives for fear of her violent rages. Bobby offers him comfort and companionship and makes him wish for things he never considered before, but Reg knows it would just be a matter of time before his situation drives Bobby away.
This is a slow burn as Bobby and Reg become friends. Bobby helps Reg with his house and his sister (as do all the Johnnies men). There are shared touches, and a huge emotional bond growing between them, but both are confused as to their sexuality. Neither thinks they are gay since they both like girls. It's clear that Bobby also has feelings for men and that those feelings are a lot more genuine than what he feels for his girlfriend. Reg seems to be bisexual, but he's not really sure what that means or how to make a relationship work with a guy. They both are starved for touch and affection though and find that comfort with each other, but Bobby refuses to have sex with Reg and that really throws Reg for a loop.
Communication is difficult between them, considering they can’t even be honest with themselves. They are so wrapped up in not being gay, not allowing themselves to go with what they feel, that they wind up hurting each other along the way, but when they finally start to open their eyes, they quickly realize that they can’t be without the other. Their relationship struggles did bring a few tears to my eyes.
I was a bit worried at first with how Reg was going to be portrayed, but I found Amy Lane did a good job of explaining the situation. He may not have a high IQ, but he’s not impaired. His upbringing has a lot to do with why he sees himself as “stupid” and the more you get to know him, the more you understand. I’ll admit to frustration with Bobby and why it took so long for it to occur to him to break up with the girlfriend he had no interest in and dreaded going back home to. I did understand the other worries he had about leaving his mother behind in Dogpatch. His mom is a wonderful secondary character and a great addition to the Johnnies cast. The biggest issue facing the men though is Veronica and it’s a story that’s not always easy to read with no simple solution.
The story runs concurrently with the timeline in the other books. While this could work as a standalone, I would suggest at least reading the amazing Chase in Shadow (though it’s a bit of a tough, angsty read dealing with mental illness as well) and Dex in Blue (still angsty but not the subject matter may not be as difficult) in order to have a better understanding of the Johnnies world and what’s going on with the other men in the story.
Not nearly as gut-wrenching as Chase or Dex’s story, there is still the emotional turmoil that the Johnnies series does so well. A running theme in these stories is building a family from those who support you even when they are not blood and that continues here. I always love it when Dex and crew step up to protect and care for their own, and they are all back here doing it again for more than just Bobby and Reg as we get to know a few more of the Johnnies models. Bobby and Reg fit right into the Johnnies mold. If you love classic Amy Lane, you will definitely find it here.
~~~~~~~
I think I've been waiting for a Bobby story since Dex in Blue. *fingers crossed*
December 27, 2023
Another angsty sexy read in this series. Bobby the young 10 inch cock wonder and Reg the 30yo ordinary guy.
Bobby can’t wait to get his mom out of Dogpatch and away from the assholes bullying them both. His girlfriend? He couldn’t care less about her.
Reg has been taking care of his older schizophrenic sister for 15 years, since his mother left them.
Anyone with a schizophrenic family member will understand how unbearably hard it gets. The skipping meds, pretending to take them, hateful words, paranoia, violence. The hidden knives.
My mom has been helping take care of her sister for 40 years and we’ve seen it all. And my cousin (aunt’s daughter) for the last 20 years. My biggest issue with this book was the dehumanizing treatment that was portrayed. Restraints? A gag? Forcing pills down her throat? How fucked up is that? Is that actually legal in the US?
Because that’s not how this works. If they get violent, you call 911. You get help. And I also don’t understand why V is on pills three times a day. Nowadays you can get a monthly injection, and you just have to manage to bring them to their monthly psychiatrist appt and you’re set.
It’s not perfect. Both my aunt and my cousin have been hospitalized for months at a time, my cousin is in the hospital right now. But I can’t imagine a world where physically forcing treatment is acceptable.
So I mostly loved the book because I loved Reg and Bobby as a couple. But the scenes with V made me physically ill with pain.
Bobby can’t wait to get his mom out of Dogpatch and away from the assholes bullying them both. His girlfriend? He couldn’t care less about her.
Reg has been taking care of his older schizophrenic sister for 15 years, since his mother left them.
Anyone with a schizophrenic family member will understand how unbearably hard it gets. The skipping meds, pretending to take them, hateful words, paranoia, violence. The hidden knives.
My mom has been helping take care of her sister for 40 years and we’ve seen it all. And my cousin (aunt’s daughter) for the last 20 years. My biggest issue with this book was the dehumanizing treatment that was portrayed. Restraints? A gag? Forcing pills down her throat? How fucked up is that? Is that actually legal in the US?
Because that’s not how this works. If they get violent, you call 911. You get help. And I also don’t understand why V is on pills three times a day. Nowadays you can get a monthly injection, and you just have to manage to bring them to their monthly psychiatrist appt and you’re set.
It’s not perfect. Both my aunt and my cousin have been hospitalized for months at a time, my cousin is in the hospital right now. But I can’t imagine a world where physically forcing treatment is acceptable.
So I mostly loved the book because I loved Reg and Bobby as a couple. But the scenes with V made me physically ill with pain.
February 6, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
I’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again: Amy Lane is one of my favorite authors and one of the best writers of m/m romance out there. She consistently melds romance and beautiful characters with plots that engage and draw the reader into the action. And if those stories are angsty, then all be better. Bobby Green, the latest in the Johnnies series, ratchets the angst up to classic Lane levels and I loved nearly every minute of it. Bobby and Reg are complex and sympathetic characters who each struggle to juggle two separate lives. Bobby has a fiancé he dislikes and he must periodically return home to see his mother and in doing so he is repeatedly drawn into an existence he no longer wants. When he’s at Johnnies and with Reg, that’s what he needs and the push and pull he experiences feels believable and relatable. Reg wants to keep his violent sister living at home because he feels he must be responsible for her care, even though the stress of it is breaking him. He clearly loves his sister and the hard realities of loving someone with mental illness are depicted with a frankness that I found refreshing. These two men are bound by their responsibilities until they find the strength and confidence to deserve something more.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
I’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again: Amy Lane is one of my favorite authors and one of the best writers of m/m romance out there. She consistently melds romance and beautiful characters with plots that engage and draw the reader into the action. And if those stories are angsty, then all be better. Bobby Green, the latest in the Johnnies series, ratchets the angst up to classic Lane levels and I loved nearly every minute of it. Bobby and Reg are complex and sympathetic characters who each struggle to juggle two separate lives. Bobby has a fiancé he dislikes and he must periodically return home to see his mother and in doing so he is repeatedly drawn into an existence he no longer wants. When he’s at Johnnies and with Reg, that’s what he needs and the push and pull he experiences feels believable and relatable. Reg wants to keep his violent sister living at home because he feels he must be responsible for her care, even though the stress of it is breaking him. He clearly loves his sister and the hard realities of loving someone with mental illness are depicted with a frankness that I found refreshing. These two men are bound by their responsibilities until they find the strength and confidence to deserve something more.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
February 9, 2018
This is the fifth installment of this series and takes places at the same time the events of the first four books are taking place. There are references to things that are happening with the other characters and most of them have some role in this. The story starts with us meeting Vern/Bobby (his porn name & what I'm going to use for the rest of the review) who's living an unhappy life in a bigoted small town. A chance to work construction in Sacramento helps him get out but when that quickly goes bad, Bobby is desperate to not have to go back. A chance meeting with Dex gives him the solution he needs and leads him to working at Johnnies where he meets and becomes friends with Reg.
I have to be honest and say I don't remember Reg or Bobby at all from the other books (but it's been years since I read the first three books in this series). Reg is a veteran porn star at Johnnies and he's the good natured guy everyone is friends with (& friends w benefits with). At first Reg was presented as being slow intellectually and I wasn't sure this book was going to work for me. Characters with cognitive delays can be dicey for me. If there's any hint of a power imbalance between the two MC's I'm out. Fortunately (for me) this is not how this plays out. I thought the author did a good job looking at how social issues effect one's IQ and how emotional IQ is also a big part of how people present. Reg has a really difficult life. He's been responsible for his mentally ill sister since he was 16 years old. She keeps him captive in his own home and he has no life outside porn and no friends other than the Johnnies guys. His meeting Bobby changes his perspective and challenges what he thought he wanted out of life.
These two start off as friends and it's a really slow burn between them. I really liked that change up from most romance books. They spent months just hanging out and snuggling and talking. It takes them both awhile to even realize they're in love.
This book is pretty gritty and parts aren't pretty at all. Reg's sister has a very serious mental health issue and some of the scenes with her are pretty rough. She's verbally and physically aggressive and poor Reg takes a ton of abuse. The situation Bobby is in in the first part of the book was also pretty difficult to read. There was one scene in particular where my stomach kind of knotted up for him.
Something else I think is important to note is these two are not together-together for the first 50-60% of the book and they both sleep with other people, on and off the set. They weren't at a commitment stage yet, and honestly the way things played out seemed very realistic. I personally didn't have a problem with it, although I admit a few parts were a little sad, but I think it fit the plot in a very true to life manner. I mention it though as I know that dynamic is a big "no" for a lot of romance readers.
I had a lot of thoughts while reading this. It's a pretty complex story line and one of the best books this author has written in years imo. She gave some great detail and thought to some complicated issues. I loved these two together and they way their relationship grew came to pass felt very realistic to me. This is very much not happy/fluffy Amy Lane so know that going in. As I've said, it's very gritty and there's more than one thing that may be of issue to some readers. Those of you who are like me though and love the grit and angst, this is a winner and you need to scoop it up asap.
This could be read as a standalone. There is a lot of interaction from the guys in the Johnnies group and all of them play at least a small role in this. Some (Dex, Kane and Ethan) play pretty big roles. You don't have to read their books to be able to follow this one. You will spoiler yourself for multiple things from the first four books though. As someone who's read all the books, I liked seeing the other guys and it was interesting to see them & their various issues from Reg & Bobby's view points
This started a bit rough for me but ended up being my favorite in the series except for Chase in Shadows. These two are just fantastic together and watching them as they work through their problems (in life, not with each other) was really touching. They were perfect for each other & I was happy for them in the end like they were real people (#booknerd).
I have to be honest and say I don't remember Reg or Bobby at all from the other books (but it's been years since I read the first three books in this series). Reg is a veteran porn star at Johnnies and he's the good natured guy everyone is friends with (& friends w benefits with). At first Reg was presented as being slow intellectually and I wasn't sure this book was going to work for me. Characters with cognitive delays can be dicey for me. If there's any hint of a power imbalance between the two MC's I'm out. Fortunately (for me) this is not how this plays out. I thought the author did a good job looking at how social issues effect one's IQ and how emotional IQ is also a big part of how people present. Reg has a really difficult life. He's been responsible for his mentally ill sister since he was 16 years old. She keeps him captive in his own home and he has no life outside porn and no friends other than the Johnnies guys. His meeting Bobby changes his perspective and challenges what he thought he wanted out of life.
These two start off as friends and it's a really slow burn between them. I really liked that change up from most romance books. They spent months just hanging out and snuggling and talking. It takes them both awhile to even realize they're in love.
This book is pretty gritty and parts aren't pretty at all. Reg's sister has a very serious mental health issue and some of the scenes with her are pretty rough. She's verbally and physically aggressive and poor Reg takes a ton of abuse. The situation Bobby is in in the first part of the book was also pretty difficult to read. There was one scene in particular where my stomach kind of knotted up for him.
Something else I think is important to note is these two are not together-together for the first 50-60% of the book and they both sleep with other people, on and off the set. They weren't at a commitment stage yet, and honestly the way things played out seemed very realistic. I personally didn't have a problem with it, although I admit a few parts were a little sad, but I think it fit the plot in a very true to life manner. I mention it though as I know that dynamic is a big "no" for a lot of romance readers.
I had a lot of thoughts while reading this. It's a pretty complex story line and one of the best books this author has written in years imo. She gave some great detail and thought to some complicated issues. I loved these two together and they way their relationship grew came to pass felt very realistic to me. This is very much not happy/fluffy Amy Lane so know that going in. As I've said, it's very gritty and there's more than one thing that may be of issue to some readers. Those of you who are like me though and love the grit and angst, this is a winner and you need to scoop it up asap.
This could be read as a standalone. There is a lot of interaction from the guys in the Johnnies group and all of them play at least a small role in this. Some (Dex, Kane and Ethan) play pretty big roles. You don't have to read their books to be able to follow this one. You will spoiler yourself for multiple things from the first four books though. As someone who's read all the books, I liked seeing the other guys and it was interesting to see them & their various issues from Reg & Bobby's view points
This started a bit rough for me but ended up being my favorite in the series except for Chase in Shadows. These two are just fantastic together and watching them as they work through their problems (in life, not with each other) was really touching. They were perfect for each other & I was happy for them in the end like they were real people (#booknerd).
March 31, 2022
Bobby is his film name...he was born Vern and is from a small, rural California town where neither he, nor in anyone else in the town, could accept his sexual orientation. When he finally escapes and arrives at the doors of "Johnnies"... it not only opens its doors, but the men open their hearts to him...something this 19-year-old would have to try and get used to. Then there was Reg. He had been at Johnnies for 10 years and was drawn to Bobby from the first day he saw him. I felt so sorry for Reg and his giant problem at home, that he should never have had to deal with in the first place, his mentally ill sister. There was just so much trauma in this one. I couldn't image as much of a "family" the men are at Johnnies, and how much John and Dex look out for all of them...that someone didn't see that Reg was hopelessly drowning trying to care for sister. Reg was extremely likeable in his simplicity but resigned that his life was never going to be good enough for Bobby. It wasn't my favorite of the series, but I was very happy with the ending. It seemed a long time coming.
February 6, 2018
***4.5 stars, rounded up***
So, let me start by saying that this was the first book I have read in this series and it was AWESOME! Second thing I would like to say is this should NOT be read as a standalone. I won't lie, it was a bit rough in the beginning, trying to understand what all was happening in this book. Did that deter me...NO. Did I have to read a bit slower and look at past blurbs...YES. Did that get me to go back and read the other books in the series...YES (Only book four left). Bottom line : If you have read the series, get this it's awesome! If you have not read the series, not only buy this book but the rest of the books in the series because again it is AWESOME.
Seriously though, my heart just went out to Reg/Digger. IMO Amy Lane broke me with him. Yes, even Chase/Chance story did not hold a candle to Reg. Everything that he has done, does and continued to do for his sister Veronica; just astounded me. Regardless of his intellect; the love, admiration and loyalty he has for her speaks volumes. Just think...against all the odds, Reg found a way to take care of his mentally ill sister since he was 16 years old. Now, that is saying something.
Then there is Vern/Bobby. Just wanting to find a way out of his small town and wanting the same for his mother. Oh, and we cannot forget his bigdick heart :) Seriously, he does have a BIG heart. Like miles and miles of heart! So, Bobby and his organ have an epiphany and finally realize what/who he truly wants; which of course is Reg. Watching their "dance", is surprisingly sweet. Almost like there is an innocence to them regardless of their environment.
In the end, Amy Lane does a wonderful job wrapping everything up for everyone involved, while still keeping it real. As a side note, I do believe that Bobby is the only character thus far to still keep his job in porn. I actually liked this, and it works for this couple.
I am really hoping that there might be a book for Lance and/or Trey. Because I am sure I am not the only one that doesn't want this series to end!
I am one of many reviewers at Gay Book Reviews and can be found here: http://gaybook.reviews/author/steph/
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
So, let me start by saying that this was the first book I have read in this series and it was AWESOME! Second thing I would like to say is this should NOT be read as a standalone. I won't lie, it was a bit rough in the beginning, trying to understand what all was happening in this book. Did that deter me...NO. Did I have to read a bit slower and look at past blurbs...YES. Did that get me to go back and read the other books in the series...YES (Only book four left). Bottom line : If you have read the series, get this it's awesome! If you have not read the series, not only buy this book but the rest of the books in the series because again it is AWESOME.
Seriously though, my heart just went out to Reg/Digger. IMO Amy Lane broke me with him. Yes, even Chase/Chance story did not hold a candle to Reg. Everything that he has done, does and continued to do for his sister Veronica; just astounded me. Regardless of his intellect; the love, admiration and loyalty he has for her speaks volumes. Just think...against all the odds, Reg found a way to take care of his mentally ill sister since he was 16 years old. Now, that is saying something.
Then there is Vern/Bobby. Just wanting to find a way out of his small town and wanting the same for his mother. Oh, and we cannot forget his big
In the end, Amy Lane does a wonderful job wrapping everything up for everyone involved, while still keeping it real. As a side note, I do believe that Bobby is the only character thus far to still keep his job in porn. I actually liked this, and it works for this couple.
I am really hoping that there might be a book for Lance and/or Trey. Because I am sure I am not the only one that doesn't want this series to end!
I am one of many reviewers at Gay Book Reviews and can be found here: http://gaybook.reviews/author/steph/
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2019
4.5 Stars
OMG, I'm so going to sekritly call my SigO "Veronica" in my head from now on. He, too, watches FAUX "news" practically 24/7 and spouts some of the most ridiculous conspiracy theories he hears from those racist, homophobic, bigoted, misogynistic, xenophobic assholes. Felt kinda vicarously cathartic when she was shipped off to a mental health facility.
Loved the sweetness of both characters, and all the soul-searching character development and relationship growth was just so heart-warming. Also, Bobby's Mom is amazing. She's the mother figure almost everyone at Johnnies needs. I need more from these boys, too. I want to know the stories behind them all; I think there's still a couple left. And that eagerness to keep the series alive...THIS is why I read Amy Lane.
Or rather, listen to Amy Lane...although, seriously, it took entirely too long for my brain to stop hearing "Vic" from Gomez Pugh's narration. Gomez had so many great voices for each character and it was so easy to tell who was speaking, but he'll always be the definitive voice of Vic for me...so yeah. Like chapter 3 before I stopped expecting a ghost to pop up.
OMG, I'm so going to sekritly call my SigO "Veronica" in my head from now on. He, too, watches FAUX "news" practically 24/7 and spouts some of the most ridiculous conspiracy theories he hears from those racist, homophobic, bigoted, misogynistic, xenophobic assholes. Felt kinda vicarously cathartic when she was shipped off to a mental health facility.
Loved the sweetness of both characters, and all the soul-searching character development and relationship growth was just so heart-warming. Also, Bobby's Mom is amazing. She's the mother figure almost everyone at Johnnies needs. I need more from these boys, too. I want to know the stories behind them all; I think there's still a couple left. And that eagerness to keep the series alive...THIS is why I read Amy Lane.
Or rather, listen to Amy Lane...although, seriously, it took entirely too long for my brain to stop hearing "Vic" from Gomez Pugh's narration. Gomez had so many great voices for each character and it was so easy to tell who was speaking, but he'll always be the definitive voice of Vic for me...so yeah. Like chapter 3 before I stopped expecting a ghost to pop up.
September 19, 2019
This book blew me away, the ups and downs were crazy!! Reg made quite the impression on me, he was such a sweetheart and tried his best to do what he thought was right for his mentally ill sister V even at the expense of his own happiness. 🙄 What he really needed was someone to show him how life could be without sacrificing his own mental plus physical health and happiness. Someone who was in his corner who loved and cared for him, and there came Bobby Roberts!! 🤗 He was a true knight and shining armour!! All the Johnnie boys helped when they were asked to but Bobby and Reg made quite the team.
Some many other side stories going on throughout the book along with Bobby and Reg, never a dull moment, this made me want to go back and re-read the whole series again and hope Ms Lane adds more Johnnie books! 🥰
Some many other side stories going on throughout the book along with Bobby and Reg, never a dull moment, this made me want to go back and re-read the whole series again and hope Ms Lane adds more Johnnie books! 🥰
December 17, 2018
A little less bad than the previous instalment, despite Mrs Lane's utter refusal to take risks by turning the formula behind this series on its head in favor of doing something different from her usual galore of clueless kids with personal baggage who are struggling with fabricated issues while agonizing over their sex identity at immense length. Though I tire of being force-fed idiotic notions about sexuality by someone who never bothered to do a modicum of clinical research before setting out to writing, and despite my irritation at the careless device of the creepy siblings both leads are afflicted with, I found both Reg and Bobby / Vern rather more lively and genuine-sounding than the other performers at Johnnies'; Reg's mild intellectual disability endeared him to me. A pity really he did not fall for someone more solid and deeper than Bobby, for beyond his mammoth endowment it is difficult to picture what the pussy-whipped small-towner has to bring into a relationship. I enjoyed both boys' rows with those who use them; there was an intensity to most of these scenes which enlivened a book that otherwise spends disproportionate time on internal moping of the cheesy type and on clinically written porn interludes. Finally, because I skipped more than half of the instalments in this series, I derived entertainment from the forays into the Johnnies business brought out by Reg's seniority into the company; those scenes felt, if not exactly fresh, at the very least less than stale and sometimes well tought out. My low grade nonetheless reflects the poor formulaic quality of the story; the run-off-the-mill purple writing; and the narrative and thematic tricks without which Mrs Lane seems unable to create a book. Lady, please revert back to brass tacks, you do have the chops to make us fawn over your stories....
February 13, 2018
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
Caution: Contains spoilers - or at least hints of spoilers.
The first Amy Lane books I ever read were the Talker series, Truth in the Dark, Keeping Promise Rock, and Chase in Shadow. Each one, in its own way, ripped my heart out, repaired it, and stuck it back in with a new appreciation for an author who could reach deep inside my soul behind my emotional wall and just tear those feelings out for all to see. Had I ever cried over the plight of a character before meeting these men? No, but Talker, Knife, Deacon, Crick, and Chase gave me a new perspective on both the MM genre and on their creator, Amy Lane. Since that time, I’ve read thousands of stories, and I must say that when I want a gut-wrenching, yet soul-healing, deeply emotional MM romance, Amy Lane is my “go-to” author.
This book, number five in the Johnnies series, literally took me back to those early days of soul-rendering drama. It’s everything I crave in a story that digs deep into my heart and soul and makes me feel whole by the time we reach the ending. Is it a bonus that we see so much of Dex, Kane, Ethan, and other guys from the series? Absolutely! In fact, though they aren’t “on page,” so to speak, this story runs concurrently with Chase in Shadow so we hear what’s happening to Chase and Tommy, and we experience the trauma surrounding Dex, Kane, and Ethan from a different perspective. I love the way Ms. Lane cleverly wove the timeline of the other stories into this one.
And wait—I haven’t even mentioned Bobby and Reg yet—the MCs of this story. Ahhh, they stole my heart, and to be honest, I’m not sure which one stole more of it, though it might be Reg by a tiny bit. Reg has been with Johnnies for about a dozen years. He’s nearly thirty and is still enjoying doing scenes and having sexy times with the guys during their off hours. In fact, it’s the only thing that relieves him of the burden of caring for his older mentally ill sister—a sister who frequently and cleverly hides the fact that she’s not taking her meds. She then becomes belligerent and often violent. Reg knows he’s not bright, but he’s a hard worker, and he cares about people. His future job prospects are pretty dim due to the burden of caring for his sister and his own inability to grasp new concepts and remember important details. But he’s the kind of guy who doesn’t let that get him down. And he’s all the more endearing because of that.
When Vern Roberts, who becomes Bobby Green, shows up to audition for his first porn scene, Reg happens to be there assisting Dex, and he helps the young man navigate his first time on camera. Is he shocked by this big farm boy’s enormous ten inches? Definitely. But he sees beyond that to the sweet eighteen-year-old who only wants to earn money to send back to his mom in Dogpatch.
Bobby escaped the nowhere life he was living in the rural small town, where he was crushing on his friend, Keith, until Keith started to blackmail him into giving him blowjobs. Keith’s father owned the ranch on which Bobby’s mother rented a tiny house and the threat involved outing Bobby and getting his mom kicked out. Once he got away from that, he felt he needed to rescue his mother from the hellhole so he worked two jobs to do it. When he lost the construction job he’d taken as his ticket out, he moved on to Johnnies—a job that would turn out to be a lifesaver in more ways than one.
I definitely don’t want to ruin anyone’s appreciation of what actually happens in the book by giving any additional details, but I must say that if you have a chance to take it slow and savor this one like a fine wine, it’s very satisfying. Each man grows in maturity individually and together; Reg learns that love doesn’t always come with happiness; and Bobby learns that he can have integrity, be true to himself and his heart, and find family in more places than at home.
I can’t recommend this one highly enough! It’s outstanding in so many ways—as a romance, as a family drama, as a poignant portrayal of mental illness, and as an unabashed declaration for family of the heart. It’s going on my Best of 2018 list immediately. Very highly recommend!
Caution: Contains spoilers - or at least hints of spoilers.
The first Amy Lane books I ever read were the Talker series, Truth in the Dark, Keeping Promise Rock, and Chase in Shadow. Each one, in its own way, ripped my heart out, repaired it, and stuck it back in with a new appreciation for an author who could reach deep inside my soul behind my emotional wall and just tear those feelings out for all to see. Had I ever cried over the plight of a character before meeting these men? No, but Talker, Knife, Deacon, Crick, and Chase gave me a new perspective on both the MM genre and on their creator, Amy Lane. Since that time, I’ve read thousands of stories, and I must say that when I want a gut-wrenching, yet soul-healing, deeply emotional MM romance, Amy Lane is my “go-to” author.
This book, number five in the Johnnies series, literally took me back to those early days of soul-rendering drama. It’s everything I crave in a story that digs deep into my heart and soul and makes me feel whole by the time we reach the ending. Is it a bonus that we see so much of Dex, Kane, Ethan, and other guys from the series? Absolutely! In fact, though they aren’t “on page,” so to speak, this story runs concurrently with Chase in Shadow so we hear what’s happening to Chase and Tommy, and we experience the trauma surrounding Dex, Kane, and Ethan from a different perspective. I love the way Ms. Lane cleverly wove the timeline of the other stories into this one.
And wait—I haven’t even mentioned Bobby and Reg yet—the MCs of this story. Ahhh, they stole my heart, and to be honest, I’m not sure which one stole more of it, though it might be Reg by a tiny bit. Reg has been with Johnnies for about a dozen years. He’s nearly thirty and is still enjoying doing scenes and having sexy times with the guys during their off hours. In fact, it’s the only thing that relieves him of the burden of caring for his older mentally ill sister—a sister who frequently and cleverly hides the fact that she’s not taking her meds. She then becomes belligerent and often violent. Reg knows he’s not bright, but he’s a hard worker, and he cares about people. His future job prospects are pretty dim due to the burden of caring for his sister and his own inability to grasp new concepts and remember important details. But he’s the kind of guy who doesn’t let that get him down. And he’s all the more endearing because of that.
When Vern Roberts, who becomes Bobby Green, shows up to audition for his first porn scene, Reg happens to be there assisting Dex, and he helps the young man navigate his first time on camera. Is he shocked by this big farm boy’s enormous ten inches? Definitely. But he sees beyond that to the sweet eighteen-year-old who only wants to earn money to send back to his mom in Dogpatch.
Bobby escaped the nowhere life he was living in the rural small town, where he was crushing on his friend, Keith, until Keith started to blackmail him into giving him blowjobs. Keith’s father owned the ranch on which Bobby’s mother rented a tiny house and the threat involved outing Bobby and getting his mom kicked out. Once he got away from that, he felt he needed to rescue his mother from the hellhole so he worked two jobs to do it. When he lost the construction job he’d taken as his ticket out, he moved on to Johnnies—a job that would turn out to be a lifesaver in more ways than one.
I definitely don’t want to ruin anyone’s appreciation of what actually happens in the book by giving any additional details, but I must say that if you have a chance to take it slow and savor this one like a fine wine, it’s very satisfying. Each man grows in maturity individually and together; Reg learns that love doesn’t always come with happiness; and Bobby learns that he can have integrity, be true to himself and his heart, and find family in more places than at home.
I can’t recommend this one highly enough! It’s outstanding in so many ways—as a romance, as a family drama, as a poignant portrayal of mental illness, and as an unabashed declaration for family of the heart. It’s going on my Best of 2018 list immediately. Very highly recommend!
February 7, 2018
It’s hard to believe it has been three years since the last release of a ‘Johnnies’ novel. It is a comfort to be back with the guys and since Reg has always been on the periphery, and I certainly know how the others think and feel about him, ‘Bobby Green’ is more than just coming home, it’s getting to know someone in a whole new way. This novel begins very shortly before Chase’s attempted suicide so, much like with Reg, I’ve been aware of Bobby as part of the Johnnies crew, but the author is finally giving me his story. I love that it’s written in a way that I am aware of things that happened in the lives of the other characters, but the focus is still on Reg and Bobby. Be forewarned that Kleenex is a requirement and, for some, a whole bottle of wine might be needed to get you through this.
Vern Roberts, aka Bobby Green, is from Dogpatch, California. Literally. His alcoholic and abusive father left them years ago, and it has only ever been just his mom and him trying to survive in the tiny house they rent from the farmer who owns the land it rests on. The same farmer whose daughter is Bobby’s girlfriend and whose son likes to hang out with Bobby and just “play around like guys do”. Except, Bobby doesn’t understand why he wants the tender moments more with Keith than with Jessica, even knowing Keith would kick his a** for trying. Bobby heads to Sacramento for work and just like most of the other guys somehow ends up at Johnnies.
All the small things he’d been denying about himself for so long, from this twisted relationship with Keith Gilmore to his willingness to give up girls at Johnnies—even his teeny-tiny sweetheart crush on Dex after their scene—all of it. He knew. He’d always known. Kissing Reg the night before, promising him… promising him a relationship—but here, in this house, with these guys in their underwear, he had the words.
“I’m gay,” Bobby said in wonder.”
Reg has been at Johnnies for ten years now. It pays a lot better than McDonald’s and the guys there take care of him and help him with his sister, V, who is difficult. Reg knows he isn’t very smart but no one at Johnnies makes him feel bad about that. Then one day he meets Bobby and they become friends. Friends who talk to each other, hold hands in the dark, and share their lives, but don’t have sex. The sex thing really screws with Bobby’s head until he can figure out the difference between porn sex and friend sex, or “work sex” and “heart sex”, and realize that he wants a whole lot more with Reg. Reg knows he isn’t good enough for this younger, smart guy, but Reg wants that whole package too.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews
Vern Roberts, aka Bobby Green, is from Dogpatch, California. Literally. His alcoholic and abusive father left them years ago, and it has only ever been just his mom and him trying to survive in the tiny house they rent from the farmer who owns the land it rests on. The same farmer whose daughter is Bobby’s girlfriend and whose son likes to hang out with Bobby and just “play around like guys do”. Except, Bobby doesn’t understand why he wants the tender moments more with Keith than with Jessica, even knowing Keith would kick his a** for trying. Bobby heads to Sacramento for work and just like most of the other guys somehow ends up at Johnnies.
All the small things he’d been denying about himself for so long, from this twisted relationship with Keith Gilmore to his willingness to give up girls at Johnnies—even his teeny-tiny sweetheart crush on Dex after their scene—all of it. He knew. He’d always known. Kissing Reg the night before, promising him… promising him a relationship—but here, in this house, with these guys in their underwear, he had the words.
“I’m gay,” Bobby said in wonder.”
Reg has been at Johnnies for ten years now. It pays a lot better than McDonald’s and the guys there take care of him and help him with his sister, V, who is difficult. Reg knows he isn’t very smart but no one at Johnnies makes him feel bad about that. Then one day he meets Bobby and they become friends. Friends who talk to each other, hold hands in the dark, and share their lives, but don’t have sex. The sex thing really screws with Bobby’s head until he can figure out the difference between porn sex and friend sex, or “work sex” and “heart sex”, and realize that he wants a whole lot more with Reg. Reg knows he isn’t good enough for this younger, smart guy, but Reg wants that whole package too.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews
Want to read
December 11, 2017AHH. I'M SORRY.
I just... I can't resist a Johnnies book.
I just... I can't resist a Johnnies book.
September 29, 2018
Good read. I liked the characters, they needed a bit to learn to talk to each other but it was worth it. I liked how it covered the same time period as the other books, it was a mini refresher without clobbering you over the head with the recap. I had some uncomfortably with Reg but at the same time I feel like a jerk for feeling that way. He's capable of understanding and consenting, that's established. No one is taking advantage of him. Everyone respects him. I was a little frustrated with Bobby's side plot. I don't understand why his mom didn't just move with him sooner. It would've saved a lot of trouble and there was no real reason why not.
February 20, 2018
6 Stars
Read series in order. Do not read this one first. Excellent series. Amy Lane can write. Her stories grab you a and will not let go. This series miss emotional, sweet, hot and beautiful. Love this story.
Read series in order. Do not read this one first. Excellent series. Amy Lane can write. Her stories grab you a and will not let go. This series miss emotional, sweet, hot and beautiful. Love this story.
May 17, 2018
The grass isn't always greener
Five books in and the author still manages to bring something new to the story. I was so drawn to both these guys right away, to their struggles and their differences that wrapped them together in a messy, tattered and knotted bow from that first scene. Bobby might have been young, but he was far from naive. Reg, ten years his senior, was forced to grow up far too soon being the only person to care for his schizophrenic older sister. And though he's a little slow and (in my opinion) autistic and never diagnosed, he manages to tread water at the very least. Drawn to each other from the start, Bobby dismisses his feelings while Reg honest to god doesn't even realize why he gets so nervous around the new guy with the great body and stunning green eyes. One day at a time they go from co-workers to friends then lovers, but a relationship? Out of the question. That would me they'd have to tell someone else and neither are ready for that.... yet.
I loved the push and pull in this story, the way Bobby slowly circled Reg, knowing he was like a scared rabbit that wanted to be chased, to be loved, but would run like hell the second Bobby released his grip. The way Lane described Reg's thoughts and feelings when Bobby made love to him, like the only thing that ever made him feel whole, feel truly safe was Bobby. It was almost like Bobby touched his soul from the inside. It was a thing of beauty.
I tell you what though, the chapter where the guys from Johnnies go to Dogpatch to help Bobby get his mom packed made me laugh so hard. But then there needed to be some lightheartedness in the story as it's very intense and emotional. Pugh did a really great job coming in on book 5 and still managing to stay true to the original characters while bringing Bobby and Reg to life and giving each and every person their own unique tone in the story.
Definitely a must for fans of the Author or series.
Five books in and the author still manages to bring something new to the story. I was so drawn to both these guys right away, to their struggles and their differences that wrapped them together in a messy, tattered and knotted bow from that first scene. Bobby might have been young, but he was far from naive. Reg, ten years his senior, was forced to grow up far too soon being the only person to care for his schizophrenic older sister. And though he's a little slow and (in my opinion) autistic and never diagnosed, he manages to tread water at the very least. Drawn to each other from the start, Bobby dismisses his feelings while Reg honest to god doesn't even realize why he gets so nervous around the new guy with the great body and stunning green eyes. One day at a time they go from co-workers to friends then lovers, but a relationship? Out of the question. That would me they'd have to tell someone else and neither are ready for that.... yet.
I loved the push and pull in this story, the way Bobby slowly circled Reg, knowing he was like a scared rabbit that wanted to be chased, to be loved, but would run like hell the second Bobby released his grip. The way Lane described Reg's thoughts and feelings when Bobby made love to him, like the only thing that ever made him feel whole, feel truly safe was Bobby. It was almost like Bobby touched his soul from the inside. It was a thing of beauty.
I tell you what though, the chapter where the guys from Johnnies go to Dogpatch to help Bobby get his mom packed made me laugh so hard. But then there needed to be some lightheartedness in the story as it's very intense and emotional. Pugh did a really great job coming in on book 5 and still managing to stay true to the original characters while bringing Bobby and Reg to life and giving each and every person their own unique tone in the story.
Definitely a must for fans of the Author or series.
February 13, 2018
DNF 17%
This was NOT what I was expecting and I'm SO sad that this one didn't work for me as much as the previous ones in the series which were AWESOME. They were not what I was expecting in a good way considering "Johnnies" is a company which makes Porn.. I just had a hard time connecting with the story or rather with Vern and Reg and from what happened until I stopped I think it won't work for me further on.
I've read the previous installments two years ago, and though I remember I loved them, I don't remember too many things. It quite annoyed me frankly to have all those characters I remember yet I don't remember ENOUGH to feel comfortable with the setting. With Reg and Bobby, frankly I don't remember anything about them. So in a way it was like starting anew.
Both Reg and Bobby's life stories are difficult and complicated. It was so hard to read about how USED Vern was in his life back in the small village where he grew up. He had so much on his shoulders at a very young age. Finding a job at "Johnnies" is not what he was looking for in the city but that's where he finds himself when Dex spots him working in a cafe.
For Reg it's even worse, He has been taking care of his mentally ill sister since he was 16 years old when their mother left. He can barely manage her especially since she can become violent easily. It doesn't help with him being slow mentally himself.. Which is no surprise then that almost in his 30s he has been working for "Johnnies" for almost ten years now. He always says he isn't smart and it shows with everything he says and does. I couldn't connect with him and I felt his situation with his sister is just going to get worse and I just didn't feel I wanted to keep on reading and getting the whole story. Without continuing on I KNOW this book is going to be angsty as hell and the sister is bound to be a major conflict since it prevents Reg to even leave the house if it's not for a few hours a day. With his slow wits it's even worse. He doesn't have any options because he doesn't even consider looking for ones. He asks for a bit of help from the guys but he basically lives with a sister he can't manage in a life he can barely manage on his own.
I haven't really gotten to know Vern but his life isn't easy as well but I guess he is more optimistic about getting "there" if he puts the work needed. The one thing going for him as he accepts the job at "Johnnies" is the size of his dick.. Frankly, I found it to be so very juvenile that each character was mostly introduced with an added bonus of dick size.. (Vern being the most "blessed" one among all of them) Vern didn't "catch" my interest in the little I've read of him. He was a kid trying to make life work for him with zero skills. Porn seemed doable..
I had a problem with the denial BOTH guys had about being gay or bi. After 10 years Reg doesn't get he is TRULY interested in men? If he feels attraction while having sex with them than, well, he is attracted to men. It's simple, even to someone as simply as him. For Vern, we can give him the benefit of the doubt because he sucked a lot of dicks but he is still quite young so been confused about his sexuality is acceptable with his living environment.
These two felt so CLUELESS to me. Both about their sexuality but mostly about themselves. Reg is too slow. I'm not even sure if he is THAT stupid or he doesn't even TRY to understand life around him, he just says - I'm not good at that - and that's it. Vern seems like a nice guy who had a difficult start to his life but I'm not sure I'm really into seeing him grow sexually right now and especially into Reg's hands.
So I don't know. I don't want to continue reading this story. It's only been 17% but it was enough for me to realize this book is going to be a long AGONY for both characters dealing with life and trying to build their own. But not connecting to Reg is my main issue actually. I don't think I can read a whole book about him, especially a long one.. I don't like to quit books, and mostly not that little into the book but this one just doesn't work for me which is a DAMN SHAME since the previous ones were GREAT! I'm a fan of Amy's books, I've read more than 50 (!) or hers but I've already realized not just from reading her, that not EVERY book by an author I love can deliver what I'm looking for and it's best to accept it as it is and not think too much of it. I'll auto-buy Amy's next book for sure because this instance does nothing to discourage me from reading more by her. It's just this book wasn't for me is all.
More Reviews HERE
This was NOT what I was expecting and I'm SO sad that this one didn't work for me as much as the previous ones in the series which were AWESOME. They were not what I was expecting in a good way considering "Johnnies" is a company which makes Porn.. I just had a hard time connecting with the story or rather with Vern and Reg and from what happened until I stopped I think it won't work for me further on.
I've read the previous installments two years ago, and though I remember I loved them, I don't remember too many things. It quite annoyed me frankly to have all those characters I remember yet I don't remember ENOUGH to feel comfortable with the setting. With Reg and Bobby, frankly I don't remember anything about them. So in a way it was like starting anew.
Both Reg and Bobby's life stories are difficult and complicated. It was so hard to read about how USED Vern was in his life back in the small village where he grew up. He had so much on his shoulders at a very young age. Finding a job at "Johnnies" is not what he was looking for in the city but that's where he finds himself when Dex spots him working in a cafe.
For Reg it's even worse, He has been taking care of his mentally ill sister since he was 16 years old when their mother left. He can barely manage her especially since she can become violent easily. It doesn't help with him being slow mentally himself.. Which is no surprise then that almost in his 30s he has been working for "Johnnies" for almost ten years now. He always says he isn't smart and it shows with everything he says and does. I couldn't connect with him and I felt his situation with his sister is just going to get worse and I just didn't feel I wanted to keep on reading and getting the whole story. Without continuing on I KNOW this book is going to be angsty as hell and the sister is bound to be a major conflict since it prevents Reg to even leave the house if it's not for a few hours a day. With his slow wits it's even worse. He doesn't have any options because he doesn't even consider looking for ones. He asks for a bit of help from the guys but he basically lives with a sister he can't manage in a life he can barely manage on his own.
I haven't really gotten to know Vern but his life isn't easy as well but I guess he is more optimistic about getting "there" if he puts the work needed. The one thing going for him as he accepts the job at "Johnnies" is the size of his dick.. Frankly, I found it to be so very juvenile that each character was mostly introduced with an added bonus of dick size.. (Vern being the most "blessed" one among all of them) Vern didn't "catch" my interest in the little I've read of him. He was a kid trying to make life work for him with zero skills. Porn seemed doable..
I had a problem with the denial BOTH guys had about being gay or bi. After 10 years Reg doesn't get he is TRULY interested in men? If he feels attraction while having sex with them than, well, he is attracted to men. It's simple, even to someone as simply as him. For Vern, we can give him the benefit of the doubt because he sucked a lot of dicks but he is still quite young so been confused about his sexuality is acceptable with his living environment.
These two felt so CLUELESS to me. Both about their sexuality but mostly about themselves. Reg is too slow. I'm not even sure if he is THAT stupid or he doesn't even TRY to understand life around him, he just says - I'm not good at that - and that's it. Vern seems like a nice guy who had a difficult start to his life but I'm not sure I'm really into seeing him grow sexually right now and especially into Reg's hands.
So I don't know. I don't want to continue reading this story. It's only been 17% but it was enough for me to realize this book is going to be a long AGONY for both characters dealing with life and trying to build their own. But not connecting to Reg is my main issue actually. I don't think I can read a whole book about him, especially a long one.. I don't like to quit books, and mostly not that little into the book but this one just doesn't work for me which is a DAMN SHAME since the previous ones were GREAT! I'm a fan of Amy's books, I've read more than 50 (!) or hers but I've already realized not just from reading her, that not EVERY book by an author I love can deliver what I'm looking for and it's best to accept it as it is and not think too much of it. I'll auto-buy Amy's next book for sure because this instance does nothing to discourage me from reading more by her. It's just this book wasn't for me is all.
More Reviews HERE
June 4, 2018
Chase in Shadow and Dex in Blue are two of my favorite audiobooks. Not only do I love their characters and the stories, but Amy’s writing and the angst they endure.
I haven’t read Ethan’s or Johnny’s story yet, and although events from their stories are alluded to (as they happen concurrently) I felt I could still follow Bobby Green and could piece together what was happening with these other characters.
This series shows Amy writing gritty, edgy storylines, with plenty of depth and detail as always. We are shown how these characters suffer before they attain their HEA.
In Bobby Green, we have depth of characters and storyline. And it’s another intense and emotional one. One of tragedy in several ways.
Bobby manages to escape from a dead-end life in a small town where he is being blackmailed into giving bjs by a ‘straight’ friend. His goal is to earn enough money to support his put-upon mother. He enters porn as a way of providing a better home and life for them both.
Reg, although ten years older and a porn veteran, has his own difficulties and has taken on the responsibility of caring for his sister, who is not only a paranoid schizophrenic but also intensely homophobic. Looking after her is exhausting and impacts on his life and relationships in so many ways.
Both men are lovely characters, helpful and supportive of others. I liked how they gradually move from ‘work colleagues’ to friends and eventually to lovers. It’s a long road for them with many traumas along the way. Gah! I love the trials Amy puts her boys through. We are also treated to some beautiful moments that show how much they have come to care for each other.
Gomez Pugh has admirably taken over from the previous narrator. Not an easy task coming in at book #5. It worked for me because it’s been awhile since I’ve listened to #1 and #2, so I had no fixed idea of how Dex and the other characters should sound. I always enjoy his performances and he made the fourteen hours of listening highly entertaining.
Review also posted on Gay Book Reviews:
https://gaybook.reviews/2018/06/04/li...
I haven’t read Ethan’s or Johnny’s story yet, and although events from their stories are alluded to (as they happen concurrently) I felt I could still follow Bobby Green and could piece together what was happening with these other characters.
This series shows Amy writing gritty, edgy storylines, with plenty of depth and detail as always. We are shown how these characters suffer before they attain their HEA.
In Bobby Green, we have depth of characters and storyline. And it’s another intense and emotional one. One of tragedy in several ways.
Bobby manages to escape from a dead-end life in a small town where he is being blackmailed into giving bjs by a ‘straight’ friend. His goal is to earn enough money to support his put-upon mother. He enters porn as a way of providing a better home and life for them both.
Reg, although ten years older and a porn veteran, has his own difficulties and has taken on the responsibility of caring for his sister, who is not only a paranoid schizophrenic but also intensely homophobic. Looking after her is exhausting and impacts on his life and relationships in so many ways.
Both men are lovely characters, helpful and supportive of others. I liked how they gradually move from ‘work colleagues’ to friends and eventually to lovers. It’s a long road for them with many traumas along the way. Gah! I love the trials Amy puts her boys through. We are also treated to some beautiful moments that show how much they have come to care for each other.
Gomez Pugh has admirably taken over from the previous narrator. Not an easy task coming in at book #5. It worked for me because it’s been awhile since I’ve listened to #1 and #2, so I had no fixed idea of how Dex and the other characters should sound. I always enjoy his performances and he made the fourteen hours of listening highly entertaining.
Review also posted on Gay Book Reviews:
https://gaybook.reviews/2018/06/04/li...
January 30, 2018
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is full of all the grit and angst I love in Amy Lane’s best writing. I’d almost forgotten how much I loved the Johnnies books.
There is a formula to the books in this series. For the Johnnies models, porn is an escape from difficult circumstances and like the rest of the Johnnies crew, both Reg and Bobby are tethered to difficult circumstances in their real lives off-film.
Many of Amy Lane’s familiar tropes resurface here - the healing powers of the boys’ ‘family of choice’ is explored and Bobby’s mum takes on the wholesome nurturing parent role readers will be familiar with. Bobby and Reg are wonderful. They feel real and honest and I loved them both from the start.
Like Reg, I’m a carer for someone with serious mental health problems and I really appreciate the way the author approaches mental health issues and the incessant emotional and practical demands on carers.
The plot does wander. Between Bobby and Reg’s problems, I think there are probably a few too many plot threads in this story which makes it somewhat cumbersome at times. My one reservation about the whole series has been the overlapping timelines. These stories take place simultaneously, not sequentially and this has confused me from the start. I also enjoy catching up past characters while reading a series and the Johnnies boys are kinda fixed in time.
This is full of all the grit and angst I love in Amy Lane’s best writing. I’d almost forgotten how much I loved the Johnnies books.
There is a formula to the books in this series. For the Johnnies models, porn is an escape from difficult circumstances and like the rest of the Johnnies crew, both Reg and Bobby are tethered to difficult circumstances in their real lives off-film.
Many of Amy Lane’s familiar tropes resurface here - the healing powers of the boys’ ‘family of choice’ is explored and Bobby’s mum takes on the wholesome nurturing parent role readers will be familiar with. Bobby and Reg are wonderful. They feel real and honest and I loved them both from the start.
Like Reg, I’m a carer for someone with serious mental health problems and I really appreciate the way the author approaches mental health issues and the incessant emotional and practical demands on carers.
The plot does wander. Between Bobby and Reg’s problems, I think there are probably a few too many plot threads in this story which makes it somewhat cumbersome at times. My one reservation about the whole series has been the overlapping timelines. These stories take place simultaneously, not sequentially and this has confused me from the start. I also enjoy catching up past characters while reading a series and the Johnnies boys are kinda fixed in time.
February 11, 2018
What can I say? I have a soft spot for the Johnnie’s boys. I like them all, with their broken bits and imperfections. If Amy Lane comes up with 15 Johnnie’s books, I’ll probably read them all.
This is Bobby and Digger’s book and I loved these two guys to pieces. They were such good human beings with the biggest hearts ever.
And it’s a Johnnie’s book, so it was hot. But, it IS a Johnnie’s book, so sadness is to be expected.
Loved Bobby’s mom.
Worth the money. Looking forward to the next book in the series (Lane’s?).
This is Bobby and Digger’s book and I loved these two guys to pieces. They were such good human beings with the biggest hearts ever.
And it’s a Johnnie’s book, so it was hot. But, it IS a Johnnie’s book, so sadness is to be expected.
Loved Bobby’s mom.
Worth the money. Looking forward to the next book in the series (Lane’s?).
May 12, 2018
I loved loved loved this!
First off, Gomez Pugh is a fantastic narrator and made this book excellent. I even felt his interpretation of the voices of the other characters from the previous books in this series was so good that I had half a mind to go and reduce my ratings for them. But I won’t because well... *shrugs*
Any way, this is officially my favourite book of the series and that’s saying something because I absolutely loved Chase in Shadow.
Reg was a sweetheart. He wasn’t the brightest person but his enormous heart more than made up for it. He was kind, loyal, funny and steadfast. What he had to endure for V’s condition was terrible and I’m glad Bobby came into his life to make it all better.
I liked the kind of person Bobby was. He wasn’t perfect but always made sure he learned from his errors and that made him my next favourite character in the series after Galen(John’s partner) and Reg. His love for his mother and his devotion to Reg made me like him more.
Together, Reg & Bobby made my heart happy and in the sheets, they were incendiary! Who knew sweet old Bobby had such a mouth on him. Sheesh.
Everything wasn’t perfect though, these two fought for, and sacrificed a whole lot to stay with each other . It wasn’t an easy reading experience because sometimes Reg frustrated me so much but, it was totally worth it when they finally got their HEA.
I loved the story( which happened concurrently with the other stories in the series), the pace & I also enjoyed newly introduced characters like Lance , Trey , Rick and Skylar(who cracked me up). They gave more depth to the story and I wouldn’t mind reading more about them.
I had thought the previous book (Black John) was the last of the series and then this got realeased. As such , I have no idea whether the series is going to continue or not. All I know is, should any more books come out, I would definitely be reading them.
**** Free Copy Graciously Provided By The Publisher In Exchange For An Honest, Unbiased Review ****
First off, Gomez Pugh is a fantastic narrator and made this book excellent. I even felt his interpretation of the voices of the other characters from the previous books in this series was so good that I had half a mind to go and reduce my ratings for them. But I won’t because well... *shrugs*
Any way, this is officially my favourite book of the series and that’s saying something because I absolutely loved Chase in Shadow.
Reg was a sweetheart. He wasn’t the brightest person but his enormous heart more than made up for it. He was kind, loyal, funny and steadfast. What he had to endure for V’s condition was terrible and I’m glad Bobby came into his life to make it all better.
I liked the kind of person Bobby was. He wasn’t perfect but always made sure he learned from his errors and that made him my next favourite character in the series after Galen(John’s partner) and Reg. His love for his mother and his devotion to Reg made me like him more.
Together, Reg & Bobby made my heart happy and in the sheets, they were incendiary! Who knew sweet old Bobby had such a mouth on him. Sheesh.
Everything wasn’t perfect though, these two fought for, and sacrificed a whole lot to stay with each other . It wasn’t an easy reading experience because sometimes Reg frustrated me so much but, it was totally worth it when they finally got their HEA.
I loved the story( which happened concurrently with the other stories in the series), the pace & I also enjoyed newly introduced characters like Lance , Trey , Rick and Skylar(who cracked me up). They gave more depth to the story and I wouldn’t mind reading more about them.
I had thought the previous book (Black John) was the last of the series and then this got realeased. As such , I have no idea whether the series is going to continue or not. All I know is, should any more books come out, I would definitely be reading them.
**** Free Copy Graciously Provided By The Publisher In Exchange For An Honest, Unbiased Review ****
February 27, 2018
5 'Wow it has been a while since I've read a Lane book and it really has been too long. This author is amazing. I love the depth of emotion she brings to her stories and her characters are so complex. Each book in this series has just got better and better Bobby and Reg are pure perfection. As always Lane deals with deeper issues with insight and as an added bonus we have all our Johnnies family back again in all their hotness' stars.
February 11, 2018
Meh. I'll put this one in the "It's not you, It's Me" category.
I'll write a full review soon. :)
I'll write a full review soon. :)
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