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A Boy Called L

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A street boy who doesn't want love. One night, one girl changes everything.

I’m young. Homeless. And angry.
I sell misery and pain to guys who get off on it.
Am I into men? Nope.
Sex? With my past. No thanks.

But I want to stay alive, and a blowjob equals money which means I eat. And on the cycle goes. Until tonight when a girl who shivers in the rain, shocks my dead heart to life.

This girl is everything.
I don’t know her name, but I wish I did.

There’s that saying—be careful what you wish for.
But I had to learn the hard way, because my name is Lightning, and I don’t know what love is.

A Boy Called L is an intro novella set four years earlier than Lightning Boy. It contains frequent strong language, sex scenes, and a character with abuse in his past. For mature audiences only.

Damaged Souls. Golden hearts. Redemption.

ebook

Published June 2, 2018

204 people are currently reading
218 people want to read

About the author

Amy J. Heart

14 books64 followers
Damaged souls. Golden hearts. Redemption.

Amy J. Heart writes about broken, golden-hearted guys and gals who, no matter the odds, manage to find redemption together.

When she's not obsessing over damaged heroes, she's listening to indie music, drinking nuclear-strength coffee, talking to her overly adventurous cat, extremely naughty dog, or very happy chooks. And sometimes even her family!

When they won't speak to her, she stomps off to write more broken-hero contemporary romances or enemies-to-lovers paranormal romances, starring cursed fae princes and their human fated mates under a fun pen name.

VIP Email list: https://www.subscribepage.com/g3z1w1
Website: https://www.amyjheart.com/books
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyjheart
Get info on my fae romance series: https://https://junoheartfaeromance.com/

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5 stars
90 (36%)
4 stars
78 (31%)
3 stars
48 (19%)
2 stars
22 (9%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews136 followers
Want to Read
April 18, 2021
💝FREE on Amazon today (8/21/2018)!💝

Blurb:
A street boy who doesn't want love. One night, one girl changes everything.
I’m young. Homeless. And angry.
I sell misery and pain to guys who get off on it.

Am I into men? Nope.
Sex? With my past. No thanks.

But I want to stay alive, and a blowjob equals money which means I eat. And on the cycle goes. Until tonight when a girl who shivers in the rain, shocks my dead heart to life.

This girl is everything.
I don’t know her name, but I wish I did.

There’s that saying—be careful what you wish for.
But I had to learn the hard way, because my name is Lightning, and I don’t know what love is.
Profile Image for W.
1,391 reviews138 followers
July 25, 2018
A fascinating and very original tale.

This novella hooked me in right away, from the first page ; I was intrigued and captivated by the boy called L. The story line and writing style also reeled me in.

I can't wait to read the book that follow this prequel; if is anything like the taste we got with this story, it's going to be an extraordinary, emotionally charged and raw read.

This is a new author for me , I am looking forward reading more from her.

317 reviews4 followers
July 5, 2018
Intriguing Start To This Story!

This preview to A Boy Called Lightening has made me want to know the whole story! Even and, especially L, have stories to tell and I can't wait to read it. L, is a very broken, sinfully hot guy, so confused and so angry. Jump on this one now!
Profile Image for T.L. Martin.
Author 8 books364 followers
September 17, 2021
Went into this little prequel blind and was taken by surprise. Loved the grit, the writing, the voice.
218 reviews1 follower
July 14, 2018
Intriguing!

In this extended novella prequel to the full length novel, which will be released at the end of July, we meet a late teen boy who is living on the streets and sleeps under a bridge, and calls himself L, sort for lightning, what he’s called on the streets. The book opens with a bang in which we find an explicit scene of L giving some man a blow job in the park, all the while berating and mocking the guy, who doesn’t seem to care a bit about the verbal taunting that L is flinging.

Moving forward we are given clues about L’s past and childhood abuse. He is physically beautiful, with a body like an Adonis, and is surviving by selling bow jobs on the street, and he hates it! The only way he can allow himself to do it is by being callous, mean and punishing to the men who pay him. As time goes on we also learn that his abuse and current “business” transactions only involve men, he never allows intercourse, and can only do what he does, by being mean and causing pain during these encounters.

There is a hint of someone who he is trying to avoid, who holds some power over him. We get a look into the night where his luck may change with a chance meeting. On the same night he sees a young woman standing in the rain looking sad and forlorn, and he’s captivated by her. He thrown off by his attraction to her, he’s never had or even thought about a relationship before, and certainly never attracted to women. Just about to approach her, she’s joined by someone he recognizes, and clearly hates. So he walks away, thinking he’ll never see her again.

I’ll leave it at that, but by the end of this novella, I was salivating for more, and the suspense was killing me.

I can’t wait to read the next book!
Profile Image for Gizel Alvarez.
581 reviews76 followers
July 26, 2018
This one blows your mind

This author did a magnificent job at expressing the characters POV as my book bestie said to me "I Love how L voice comes through the pages" and I hope she doesn't mind me quoting her but this book deserves the right words when expressing its emotional connection to its readers truly if you happen to stumble upon my review this one is one I highly recommended, thou fair warning it has some heartbreaking scenes at least to me it was since survival was his goal I won't pity this character and instead hope he does get his HEA in the novel that follows this prequel.

Also to end my thought as off now I don't understand the Taboo aspect yet. However this won't take away from this story maybe I will get my answer on the novel.
Profile Image for Clorie.
692 reviews2 followers
December 29, 2019
3.5 Novella Stars

This was a good introduction to a book I’m hoping is deep. Or emotionally impactful. It will be interesting to see how both characters are healed. On to the main book
Profile Image for Jeannie Zelos.
2,853 reviews58 followers
July 3, 2018
A Boy Called L, (A Taboo Love Story 1), Amy J. Heart

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Erotic Fiction, Romance

** Edit: since reading an ARC of this book Amy has made some changes and the disjointed feeling I experienced had been addressed.

This is a novella prequel, around 14K words. I'm not a novella fan usually as I find they're just too short for me to deliver a story, but of course as a prequel or a side to a main series its something entirely different. It doesn't need to give the whole story, just the background.
So this starts of with a bang, or rather a BJ! L avoids the bangs if he can....
It alternates from L's POV to Eden's POV. It does feel a bit disjointed at times but I think that's because of what it is, trying to deliver background without giving away the full story. I loved the restaurant scene and – I've forgotten her name – but the lady who opens his way out of the awful position he's in, she is just wonderful! Really drawn well as a character, I could just see her, all smart, out with friends at top restaurant when in walks L, bedraggled, dirty, and yet she sees under that to his striking looks, the potential for big money in him – for both of them.
Eden, she's in a bad situation, though I'm not wholly sure of just why Coop holds her strings, and I really really want to know what the connection is between L and Coop too.
There are some pretty graphic scenes here, they fit the story perfectly, but if you don't like things like that then stay away. Personally I was really moved at one scene towards the end which could have gone disastrously wrong for the characters, could have been written in a sleazy way but which was really well handled IMO.

My only criticism is that slightly disjointed feeling, where its L then Eden, now then a couple of years in the future, and I couldn't really get a clear sense of what was happening and how. All very mysterious and I'm the impatient sort! Book two should sort all that out though, and I'm really looking forward to that.

Stars: Four, an interesting and tantalising preview of what's coming for Lightening Boy

ARC supplied by author
 

Profile Image for LaDonna.
513 reviews19 followers
September 3, 2019
5 Broken Stars/Guitars for A Boy Called L

Right off the top, I will tell you this novella won't be for everyone. It won't be for most of you. It's dark and twisted...and I can't wait to read the next (full) book in the series.

The "guitars" are in the heading because I know I stumbled on this book because I purchased a later book in the series that was advertised as a rockstar romance, and, being who I am, even if it could be read as a standalone, I needed to start at the beginning. So, what I'm saying is, there's no rockstar presence in this one, but I assume it's going to show up soon. Guess we'll find out soon because I have to know more about L and Eden.

For those taking notes, there's not a lot of explicit content in this one, but what there is isn't especially comfortable to read about. This is definitely one for those comfortable reading on the dark side. This is a short introductory novella and it's got me completely sucked in so I'll end this review here so I can move on to Paul Harvey's afternoon segment (for those of you too young to catch the reference...And now, the rest of the story.)
Profile Image for Anna Theurer (Anna's Bookshelf).
781 reviews61 followers
June 21, 2018
What an amazing prequel/teaser for the next book! The synopsis of this very short novella intrigued me. I've read a lot of books, but I have never read one with this type of storyline. What was it about the girl that shocked Lightening? The book starts off with a bang and sucks you right in. The book is mainly told from Lightening's POV although the last chapter is told from Eden's. It starts off sounding a bit like a possible rags to riches type of story for Lightening seeing as he is homeless and turning tricks on the streets, but it looks like his luck is changing. However, this book is a suspense. The novella is fast past and leave you wanting more. A Boy Called L ends on a cliffhanger and I can't wait for book 2.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Daniella Marchand.
402 reviews5 followers
July 17, 2018
Please this story is not complete, you need to read 'Lightning' to get the full story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

L is short for Lightning, abuse when he was young and living on the street, by a dirty cop 'Cooper' Having to have bj or more just to get enough money to eat and living onder a bridge. One night is enough to have Luck, a descent meal, a warm place to stay and making in modeling instead of the street dump ! Also one night 4 years later he finally meet Eden who lives under the tumb of Cooper who arranged a party to see of L can bring it on for girls or if L is for men only. But also that party will change Eden & L forever. Can they go rid of Cooper ?
Profile Image for TeriD.
555 reviews6 followers
August 18, 2018
Ok, read this but make sure you have the next book handy! This novella sets things up perfectly. You get to see how L lives, but there is a lot more to come. Something happens that changes his life. Actually, two things, but in the same night. You're left hanging, so again, make sure you have Lightning Boy ready to read. Stellar writing in both books especially for a new author. She seems to believe "quality over quantity" unlike some new authors that clog my feed with 20 new books that are sloppy, not thought out, and quite frankly embarrassing on their behalf. This is soooooo not the case. This author knew what she was writing and knew what she was doing with this little tease. Be teased and your welcome!😇
Profile Image for Jenny Hockings.
456 reviews2 followers
July 5, 2018
WOW: A boy from the streets; who has no idea what real love is.
One night a girl will change it all.
Lightning is homeless, young and angry. To survive he sells misery and pain to guys who get aroused and off by it. That is the cycle that L, lives daily if he wants to eat he has to do it!!!
Then one night a girl appears and the old saying of be careful what you wish for is definitely in this story and the result well.....
READ THIS BOOK, I was surprised that even though the story is fiction it could actually relate in real life, the fact that LIFE IS STRANGER THAN FICTION rings true!!!!!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for ViolinVixen.
535 reviews26 followers
August 22, 2018
I absolutely flew through this prequel, unable to put it down.

Now I've downloaded the next and final book of this intriguing story about L, a man who was driven to do whatever he had to in order to survive on the streets. A man who is lost, broken and confused, but a man who may be able to slowly heal his eviscerated heart if he can only find that special person willing to try.

Raw, graphic and intensely dark. Contains a boy/man who has a history of being sexually abused. Details m/m interactions while he's on the street fighting for his survival. The romance however is m/f. May cause triggers as is written to immerse the reader in Lightning's hell.
1 review
July 7, 2018
This book really starts off with a bang! It gets you hooked right away leaves you wanting to know more. It is a short novella introducing the main characters Lightining and Eden. Lightining is a conflicting character who is living In survival mode and seems to have a traumatic past. Eden, the heroine, is indebted and is forced to do unwanted acts. I'm excited to see how this story unfolds. If anyone has issues with reading about topics about unwanted sexual acts then this may not be for you. But for everyone else wanting to read an angsty story that leaves you wanting more, this is for you!
Profile Image for Blueleo.
505 reviews3 followers
April 16, 2019
Lighting⚡ Fast Loving💏

It was interesting! It's on the kinky side but not in a consensual way. It's the story of two young homeless teenagers been pimp and blackmailed by an ex cop pervert. "L" is very young and handsome young man with a child abuse pass which throw him into the streets and hustles for money. Eden is also very young and is also been abused and blackmail by Cooper the ex cop that is super creepy. It's an interesting story of what this young kids go through. All they are thinking is of surviving. When they meet is weird and funny but sweet in a weird way.
Profile Image for Kara (Rotella Reads).
943 reviews50 followers
August 7, 2019
What a deranged, twisted and haunting story about L, a boy who’s scrapping to get by any way he can. He’s never known the love of a woman but wants to try when he spots a mysterious damsel in distress, in the hands of the person L hates most.

This novella was captivating from the first sentence! I was invested in Lightning’s life story. Could he trust the gracious strangers who just stepped into his life and what was the deal with the black dressed sad-girl who caught his eye. I can’t wait to see how this story plays out in the next book!
Profile Image for Gladys.
14.3k reviews165 followers
July 3, 2018
Dark, intense, powerful, gritty, dramatic and suspenseful. This short prequel novella certainly packs a serious punch. This emotional story quickly captures your interest and holds it captive until the very end. It does end on a cliffhanger in preparation of the next book in this series. If you enjoy reads that not only engage your mind but your emotions this one is not to be missed. I am posting a totally honest, voluntary review.
1,024 reviews10 followers
July 6, 2018
Lightning is a young man that is home less. When something good happens in his life he is second guessing his good luck. He thinks that it's not going to last. He has endured some unimaginable things at such a young age. I enjoyed reading this book. I loved the storyline and plot. I can't wait for the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
923 reviews3 followers
October 7, 2019
This book is gripping, tragic and sad and so much of the story is still left to be revealed. The writing is amazing, making me feel strong emotions and suspense while the story slowly unfolds. My mind is just twirling going through what possibly the boy L snd the girl Eden could have gone through. Such darkness but outside beauty is present. I can't wait to read what's next. New author to me, love her!
Profile Image for J. Ockenhouse.
1,743 reviews18 followers
July 4, 2018
The teaser to get you hyped. Dark, erotic and down right sinfully good.

L is going to suck you in his world. You can feel his emotions just pour out of him.

This prequel is like riding a racing car, it's adrenaline-filled, full of surprises and keeps you on the edge of your seat for that next exciting lap.

I received an ARC for an honest and voluntarily review.
9,377 reviews140 followers
July 5, 2018
This is a dark , intense story. It's a heartbreaking story that moves quickly and smoothly,has strong characters and an emotional story line. It caught and held me from page one to the end. it does end in a cliffhanger .. can't wait for the next book! Highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
17.1k reviews174 followers
July 5, 2018
He is on the streets, alone and broke. He will not have sex with a man but a glowing is alright. Then he meets her and she is so different to what he thought. He does not know her name. Could this be a new beginning for him? See if it is

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,293 reviews8 followers
July 7, 2018
This was a brilliant start to the lightning boys and I can’t wait to read more. I really hope we do to have to wait to long for the next. I love the dual points of view and you get to hear both sides. My only complaint is it was to short but it is a prequel so I can really complain to much.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
67 reviews
July 7, 2018
I did enjoy this book, but for me a little too short, I am not keen on novella as they are generally too short to give a good story with depth
but the characters were good, and as an Intro to the story/series it was a good read

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Terry.
1,532 reviews
July 22, 2018
L is 18 years old and homeless. To survive he helps men get off but he hates every minute of it. This is the night L first sees Edie.

This book gives you a little insight into L's thoughts on that last homeless night. This book really intrigues me because it is very different from anything else I have read. A great start to the series.
Profile Image for Laila Viking.
4,090 reviews30 followers
November 26, 2018
This is not the whole story but it is worth reading because it gives you a good start up for the next story. It is well written and very captivating to read.
Very likeable characters that grows on the reader. Their chemistry is amazing.
The mix of steamy scenes, anger, passion, mystery and twists made me want to know what happens next. Enjoyable and quick read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews