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Country Cop, City Boy
For ex-party boy Jai Latimore, moving to the country as a radiographer means a new start. He’s excited to be part of a rural community, even knowing that eligible gay men are going to be thin on the ground.
Giving up his love life is one thing, but he doesn’t expect the outright hostility he receives from the local police officer. Jai can’t help but wonder if he made a mistake taking a job so far from home.
Sgt. Luke McClain definitely doesn’t want to desire Jai. Luke long ago decided being gay wasn’t an option as long as he was a country cop in a small town. It’s easier to be rude to the attractive radiographer—until some painkillers and a slip in Luke’s tightly held control reveal too much.
Jai decides the closeted cop needs a friend who knows his secrets. With no other likely candidates around, Jai pushes his friendship on prickly Luke.
When friendship turns to something more, both men have to decide whether their histories and fears for their futures are worth giving up hot sex and possibly love.
Country Cop, City Boy is a 72,000-word m/m romance with its own happily ever after. It contains a sexy use of satin pillowcases, a trip to Sydney’s Mardi Gras, and a hot Australian cop.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2018
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83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 23, 2018
I really liked this romance at the beginning. I really did.
However, as crazy as I am about these characters, there are a couple of things that rubbed me wrong. At first just a little bit, later on they bugged me tremendously to say the least.
Jai.
He's a super sweet and adorable guy who tries to be a gay BFF to closeted country cop Luke. Jai makes it his mission to show Luke what he's missing out in life (like pop music, dancing, discussing hot guys, talking about sex, etc.).
Jai is the one with LOTS of sexual experience - AND he's the one with a history as a wild party boy who fucked his way through the big city gay scene.
His biggest issue in the past seemed to be his drug and alcohol addiction, but strangely that was completely absent from the story, as if it had never been an issue.
I was kind of waiting for some to be like
However, when the story begins, Jai has completed a university course and medical training at a hospital and is now a fully licensed radiographer.
Speaking of a change of scenery, right?
Contradictions is also what Jai brings into his friendship with Luke.
Luke immediately connects with Jai and would probably date him right from page 2. Jai, however, doesn't do the closeted boyfriend thing and offers Luke his friendship without any kinds of benefits.
BUT Jai is the one who suddenly wants to massage Luke's feet. Jai is the one who grinds against Luke when they dance. Jai is the one who suggests to watch porn together (because that's what friends do, right?!). And Jai is the one who wants to kiss Luke, etc. You know where that leads…
But just friends, right?!
I'm also quite a bit conflicted about the trope of the story. On the one hand, it was close to perfection. I love a tortured closeted country guy and when that guy falls for an out and proud gay men who is willing to put up with his hesitancy, that's just delicious.
However, I wish I could say something better than I was shaking my head in frustration by the end of this story.
Luke is a truly great character with great potential. I loved him right from the start and he evolved really well with Jai.
BUT... his closet!!!!
Jesus, that guy lives in closet made of steel. Or in some Pharaoh’s sarcophagus carved from SOLID ROCK.
Even when it was clear that both guys were in love with each other, Luke was still not willing to be out! He'd rather have Jai come to his apartment secretly and have a relationship behind closed doors, and he doesn’t even speak up when his older brother looks down on his (not yet out) gay nephew when the boy desperately needs a mature gay man as a role model??
That's such a cowardly attitude that goes against what gay people have fought for over so many decades. And Luke is a cop, for Christ's sake!!
He should stand up for those weaker than himself, but if he isn't brave enough himself, what kind of message is that giving to his nephew??
Man, I feel very strongly about this, so don't take my review too seriously.
I really liked both guys. I like the clash of different lifestyles and attitudes. But what I did not like was Jai rubbing sexuality in Luke's face (that Mardi Gras trip to Sydney was awful!! As if gay men are ONLY about sex and partying...).
And I especially did NOT like Luke's deathgrip on his closet handle.
I also felt the sex scenes were way too over the top.
This story could have provided such a supportive environment for Tom, Luke's 16 year old nephew, with Jai and Luke being role models and friends for him, but instead Luke decided to hide himself even further instead of being there for his nephew.
I’m not saying Luke didn’t eventually come around, because that’s what needed to happen, but I felt it was way too late and I wonder if Luke was able to remedy his actions in the end.
Quite frustrating...
Still, Luke was a great character, especially because I hated him in some parts, but I like it when a character challenges me. And usually Luke would be exactly the type of guy I like to see in my romances.
So all in all…
3 stars!
However, as crazy as I am about these characters, there are a couple of things that rubbed me wrong. At first just a little bit, later on they bugged me tremendously to say the least.
Jai.
He's a super sweet and adorable guy who tries to be a gay BFF to closeted country cop Luke. Jai makes it his mission to show Luke what he's missing out in life (like pop music, dancing, discussing hot guys, talking about sex, etc.).
Jai is the one with LOTS of sexual experience - AND he's the one with a history as a wild party boy who fucked his way through the big city gay scene.
His biggest issue in the past seemed to be his drug and alcohol addiction, but strangely that was completely absent from the story, as if it had never been an issue.
I was kind of waiting for some to be like
However, when the story begins, Jai has completed a university course and medical training at a hospital and is now a fully licensed radiographer.
Speaking of a change of scenery, right?
Contradictions is also what Jai brings into his friendship with Luke.
Luke immediately connects with Jai and would probably date him right from page 2. Jai, however, doesn't do the closeted boyfriend thing and offers Luke his friendship without any kinds of benefits.
BUT Jai is the one who suddenly wants to massage Luke's feet. Jai is the one who grinds against Luke when they dance. Jai is the one who suggests to watch porn together (because that's what friends do, right?!). And Jai is the one who wants to kiss Luke, etc. You know where that leads…
But just friends, right?!
I'm also quite a bit conflicted about the trope of the story. On the one hand, it was close to perfection. I love a tortured closeted country guy and when that guy falls for an out and proud gay men who is willing to put up with his hesitancy, that's just delicious.
However, I wish I could say something better than I was shaking my head in frustration by the end of this story.
Luke is a truly great character with great potential. I loved him right from the start and he evolved really well with Jai.
BUT... his closet!!!!
Jesus, that guy lives in closet made of steel. Or in some Pharaoh’s sarcophagus carved from SOLID ROCK.
Even when it was clear that both guys were in love with each other, Luke was still not willing to be out! He'd rather have Jai come to his apartment secretly and have a relationship behind closed doors, and he doesn’t even speak up when his older brother looks down on his (not yet out) gay nephew when the boy desperately needs a mature gay man as a role model??
That's such a cowardly attitude that goes against what gay people have fought for over so many decades. And Luke is a cop, for Christ's sake!!
He should stand up for those weaker than himself, but if he isn't brave enough himself, what kind of message is that giving to his nephew??
Man, I feel very strongly about this, so don't take my review too seriously.
I really liked both guys. I like the clash of different lifestyles and attitudes. But what I did not like was Jai rubbing sexuality in Luke's face (that Mardi Gras trip to Sydney was awful!! As if gay men are ONLY about sex and partying...).
And I especially did NOT like Luke's deathgrip on his closet handle.
I also felt the sex scenes were way too over the top.
This story could have provided such a supportive environment for Tom, Luke's 16 year old nephew, with Jai and Luke being role models and friends for him, but instead Luke decided to hide himself even further instead of being there for his nephew.
I’m not saying Luke didn’t eventually come around, because that’s what needed to happen, but I felt it was way too late and I wonder if Luke was able to remedy his actions in the end.
Quite frustrating...
Still, Luke was a great character, especially because I hated him in some parts, but I like it when a character challenges me. And usually Luke would be exactly the type of guy I like to see in my romances.
So all in all…
3 stars!
October 1, 2018
~2.5~
I'm not sure if the author is Australian. She may well be, but nothing about this story said Australia, not the flat descriptions of a small town and certainly not the speech patterns of the main characters. They used the word "mate," but that's about it.
The storyline wasn't terribly original (closeted cop struggling with his sexuality), and the dialogue a little awkward, but I liked Jai and Luke, and how Luke found the courage to come out.
The book ends with a hopeful HFN, although the epilogue, which is as all exposition, was disappointing.
I'm giving the author a pass on the editing because this appears to be her first published book. However, the numerous missing words were hella distracting.
I'm not sure if the author is Australian. She may well be, but nothing about this story said Australia, not the flat descriptions of a small town and certainly not the speech patterns of the main characters. They used the word "mate," but that's about it.
The storyline wasn't terribly original (closeted cop struggling with his sexuality), and the dialogue a little awkward, but I liked Jai and Luke, and how Luke found the courage to come out.
The book ends with a hopeful HFN, although the epilogue, which is as all exposition, was disappointing.
I'm giving the author a pass on the editing because this appears to be her first published book. However, the numerous missing words were hella distracting.
June 29, 2018
I think this is the first book by this author and it shows. Especially at the beginning the writing style is a little awkward, then it gets better. The plot is not exaggeratedly original, and there are some average topics but it's nice enough and likeable, and so were the main characters.
There is some steam and a nice epilogue, but a little rushed.
I'd recommend this book for an easy and not pretentious reading.
There is some steam and a nice epilogue, but a little rushed.
I'd recommend this book for an easy and not pretentious reading.
June 26, 2018
So, first the blurb kinda makes me scratch my head... It says:
So who is Mia Terry? Put like that it sounds like a well known, best selling author. Not so much. As far as I can tell this is a self published, first book for this author. Kudos for trying to ramp up the star power perception for a first book although I think using this tactic is misguided. Maybe it's a pseud, but even so - if nobody knows that - it's the equivalent of a first book. There is no social media presence that I could find for this author either. She's a new member to goodreads as well.
So. I was expecting big things from the book based on the star power and the blurb. And what I got was a regular book, set in Australia country with a closeted man and an out city boy that against all odds connect, have sex, fall in love, break up and get back together. Sound familiar? Formulaic and at times boring. Except for the setting (both the Australian country setting and the Sydney Mardi Gras setting) which is unusual it's a basic love story. No surprises.
This book definitely needs another run through on line edits. Missing words, wrong words, duplicated words, unnecessary words and weird sentences I had to read several times to understand how to read them correctly.
All in all, a good effort for a first time author. The story is solid, nothing coincidental or unbelievable, the characters are mostly likable and the romance and sex is even handed. I say mostly likable because at times I found it pretty hard to sympathize with Luke too often in the face of his cowardice in regards to his nephew - good thing he's smokin' hot.
Overall an enjoyable, if predictable, read from author Mia Terry.
Australian rural life heats up in this new m/m romance from author Mia Terry.
So who is Mia Terry? Put like that it sounds like a well known, best selling author. Not so much. As far as I can tell this is a self published, first book for this author. Kudos for trying to ramp up the star power perception for a first book although I think using this tactic is misguided. Maybe it's a pseud, but even so - if nobody knows that - it's the equivalent of a first book. There is no social media presence that I could find for this author either. She's a new member to goodreads as well.
So. I was expecting big things from the book based on the star power and the blurb. And what I got was a regular book, set in Australia country with a closeted man and an out city boy that against all odds connect, have sex, fall in love, break up and get back together. Sound familiar? Formulaic and at times boring. Except for the setting (both the Australian country setting and the Sydney Mardi Gras setting) which is unusual it's a basic love story. No surprises.
This book definitely needs another run through on line edits. Missing words, wrong words, duplicated words, unnecessary words and weird sentences I had to read several times to understand how to read them correctly.
All in all, a good effort for a first time author. The story is solid, nothing coincidental or unbelievable, the characters are mostly likable and the romance and sex is even handed. I say mostly likable because at times I found it pretty hard to sympathize with Luke too often in the face of his cowardice in regards to his nephew - good thing he's smokin' hot.
Overall an enjoyable, if predictable, read from author Mia Terry.
October 21, 2018
I really enjoyed this one. I think I enjoyed it more because it wasn't overdone with Australian stereotypes.
October 2, 2018
Not too interested in reading about people trapped in the closet, felt like it went on forever, semi-skimmed the end
August 15, 2018
I enjoyed this book. It had a few editing errors, but the writing was good. The characters, the setting of the small Australian town and Mardi Gras were also interesting. Luke was a jerk sometimes, but he was so lonely and sad, he was not as unlikable as I expected. Jai was a sweet character and extremely patient but he almost too accommodating to Luke. The epilogue was nice. I would read more from this author. 3.5 stars
October 17, 2018
1.5 stars. There's a good story somewhere in here - but it's missing any type of emotional connection for the reader to connect with the characters. Although both Luke and Jai seem like good guys, I never really connected with either of them. This could have done with a thorough edit and a copy edit, and the lack of contractions was incredibly annoying.
October 27, 2018
Overall, I liked the characters and the story. I thought the grammar and missing words took away from the story and the ending was too pat.
February 24, 2019
I liked this a lot more than I thought I would, and maybe it was the fact that I had no expectations that it was enjoyable.
I quite liked Jai. Luke was a bit more frustrating, but I can't say I disliked him. The ending was a little too neat for my liking. I was pleased that there was no high angst moments. I was worried for half the book that there was going to be an accidental outing, which is always a shitty thing, even in fiction.
There was just enough about Kris to interest me in his story, which I think is important in a series that involves side characters from one book as the main characters in the next.
It's a shame that Mia Terry only has the two books out so far, as I found the writing style quite pleasant to read. But, I'll be keeping my eye out for more books from her in the future.
I quite liked Jai. Luke was a bit more frustrating, but I can't say I disliked him. The ending was a little too neat for my liking. I was pleased that there was no high angst moments. I was worried for half the book that there was going to be an accidental outing, which is always a shitty thing, even in fiction.
There was just enough about Kris to interest me in his story, which I think is important in a series that involves side characters from one book as the main characters in the next.
It's a shame that Mia Terry only has the two books out so far, as I found the writing style quite pleasant to read. But, I'll be keeping my eye out for more books from her in the future.
January 6, 2020
Radiologist Jai moves to country town Dungoon for work. He's met at the airport by Luke, one of the towns cops. They don't get off to a great start...
I enjoyed watching their friendship grow. Watching Jai teach Luke how to laugh again and have some fun.
Poor Luke is so far in the closet he's practically in Narnia. Will he be able to overcome his fears and find his way out of his closet? Can he withstand the small town prejudices?
A good story of knowing your worth and finding and being true to yourself.
I enjoyed watching their friendship grow. Watching Jai teach Luke how to laugh again and have some fun.
Poor Luke is so far in the closet he's practically in Narnia. Will he be able to overcome his fears and find his way out of his closet? Can he withstand the small town prejudices?
A good story of knowing your worth and finding and being true to yourself.
January 7, 2021
2.5 Stars. I really had a hard time with Luke especially with the way he dealt with his gay nephew. It was hard to respect him. Jai was a funny character but his whole I won't date a guy in the closet but then he basically then makes all the moves to date Luke. I don't think I'm interested in continuing this series.
October 22, 2018
3.75 stars
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January 9, 2020A great cover.
January 18, 2020
Country Cop, City Boy is the first book in the City, Country serie by Mia Terry. It also was my first book by this author and I really liked her writing style. This first story is about city boy Jai and country cop Luke. Jai is out and proud and Luke is deep in the closet. When things start to heat up can Jai live back in the closet or will Luke be brave enough to come out.
I really liked the story of Jai and Luke.
I really liked the story of Jai and Luke.
September 19, 2018
Good story but too many missing words for 4 stars
Interesting story line, nicely written. Accessible characters with their own voices but, Oh Dear! So many missing words, hastily copied, pasted & revised sentences that interrupt the flow of the action and the dialogue. Needs proof reading.
Interesting story line, nicely written. Accessible characters with their own voices but, Oh Dear! So many missing words, hastily copied, pasted & revised sentences that interrupt the flow of the action and the dialogue. Needs proof reading.
July 24, 2018
A debut book by this author. By the time I finished reading this I loved the characters. I picked up this book for an interesting blurb set in Australia. The start was a bit slow and had problems but it gets better. This is a story from a small country town with old values with some of its people. A closeted cop falls for a new hospital employee, and at times I'd wish he'd grow some balls and stop being a jerk for Jai. They don't exactly get along in the beginning when they meet and it gets interesting from there with something happening between them (sadly it didn't come across in the first half of the book as its narrated). The ending was a beautiful, I loved Jai in this and Luke, he grows on me sort of. Scenes includes gay parades in Sydney.
Sgt Luke 32 yrs the towns cop welcomed Jai to town by picking him up at the airport. Luke lived in the closet only jumping out for an occasional hookup in the city.
Jai 29 yrs was the new gay radiographer. A new start as a recovering addict.
Sgt Luke 32 yrs the towns cop welcomed Jai to town by picking him up at the airport. Luke lived in the closet only jumping out for an occasional hookup in the city.
Jai 29 yrs was the new gay radiographer. A new start as a recovering addict.
June 29, 2018
Living in a small town has its advantages. Everyone knows you.
Living in a small town has its disadvantages. Everyone knows you and gossip has been elevated to an Olympic sport. If you don’t fit into the same mold as everyone else, it is even harder. Luke has hidden away behind a closet door made of titanium. He suddenly finds out just how weak that door is when Jai comes into his small world.
I liked the fact that Jai let Luke take things at his own pace. Coming out isn’t easy but no one should be forced to do so. Jai was willing to walk away from Luke and sacrifice his own happiness for Luke’s. Fortunately, Luke thanks to some help from family finds his courage to not only come out but to claim the life he has always wanted.
This book had one glaring failure. The typing mistakes and lack of editing was a disservice to the characters and to the writing profession.
Living in a small town has its disadvantages. Everyone knows you and gossip has been elevated to an Olympic sport. If you don’t fit into the same mold as everyone else, it is even harder. Luke has hidden away behind a closet door made of titanium. He suddenly finds out just how weak that door is when Jai comes into his small world.
I liked the fact that Jai let Luke take things at his own pace. Coming out isn’t easy but no one should be forced to do so. Jai was willing to walk away from Luke and sacrifice his own happiness for Luke’s. Fortunately, Luke thanks to some help from family finds his courage to not only come out but to claim the life he has always wanted.
This book had one glaring failure. The typing mistakes and lack of editing was a disservice to the characters and to the writing profession.
June 28, 2018
Set in Australia in an outback New South Wales town. A few extra words here and there. Otherwise it was a good read. Enjoyable and entertaining. The 2 guys meet The city boy Jai is out and proud and The cop country boy Luke is deep in the closet. Luke wants Jai but doesn't want to come out of the closet. The relationship goes on like this for a while, when Jai asks him are you going to come out and Luke decides walking away might be easier. Both boys miss each other, until one day Luke decides to come out.
May 24, 2020
Enjoyable but a bit long. There was a lot of back and forth between closet living and wanting more that seemed like it dragged on a bit. It was a good story, and I liked the characters. I was glad when Luke finally let go of his struggles.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services >
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by LesCourt Author Services >
August 24, 2018
Fell in love with this book - the characters have so much personality that they practically jump off the page, and Mia does a fantastic job at capturing the emotion of an Australian country down. Am very excited for more from her!
July 11, 2018
I enjoyed this debut very much. The story was nice, not overly dramatic or suspenseful, but I liked the MC’s (especially Jai). I will definitely read more from this writer
August 4, 2018
Sweet and funny, surprisingly endearing.
July 28, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 of 5 stars (More something like between 3 to four stars).
I loved this story. Luke is a closeted country cop in rural Australia, tall and muscular, just like we love them 😋 Jai is an out and proud radiologist moving away from Sidney to partly recover or get away from the party life of drugs and alcohol that used to be his life.
Hot cop meets radiologist and sparks fly, but Luke can't come out of the closet, not even for Jai.
The story is beautiful, I liked it. However, as it is with many of the books I have read, the author seams to get a one tracked mind when the MC's starts to have sex, that becomes the main focus pont of the story and the real story, the building a relationsship the drama that could have been there, kind of gets lost in the sex. Maybe it's because it easy to write, I don't know, but I don't like it.
I have a preference. I like big strong guy to be the top and smaller guy to bottom. I'm not sure why. But it does something to me when they switch, I don't really like it.
I'm not really sure why Luke is so scared of coming out. There isn't much homophobia in the story other than what Luke pictures in his head. Lukes brother throw some homophobic slurs a few times, but even he falls into place without much drama when his son comes out as gay. I was kind of disappointed when Luke went to Mardi Gras, it would have been nice if he was a bit more reluctant, he is in the closet after all. But it kind of falls flat. Maybe some drama from from Jai's previous life, his parents something just something that would have given the story and edge.
A bit more grand gesture when Luke shows up to get Jai back, would have been nice. Maybe he could have been injured in the line of duty and insisting on bringing floweres/chocolate when he went for x-ray, now that would have been romantic.
Great story, but could have been better.
I loved this story. Luke is a closeted country cop in rural Australia, tall and muscular, just like we love them 😋 Jai is an out and proud radiologist moving away from Sidney to partly recover or get away from the party life of drugs and alcohol that used to be his life.
Hot cop meets radiologist and sparks fly, but Luke can't come out of the closet, not even for Jai.
The story is beautiful, I liked it. However, as it is with many of the books I have read, the author seams to get a one tracked mind when the MC's starts to have sex, that becomes the main focus pont of the story and the real story, the building a relationsship the drama that could have been there, kind of gets lost in the sex. Maybe it's because it easy to write, I don't know, but I don't like it.
I have a preference. I like big strong guy to be the top and smaller guy to bottom. I'm not sure why. But it does something to me when they switch, I don't really like it.
I'm not really sure why Luke is so scared of coming out. There isn't much homophobia in the story other than what Luke pictures in his head. Lukes brother throw some homophobic slurs a few times, but even he falls into place without much drama when his son comes out as gay. I was kind of disappointed when Luke went to Mardi Gras, it would have been nice if he was a bit more reluctant, he is in the closet after all. But it kind of falls flat. Maybe some drama from from Jai's previous life, his parents something just something that would have given the story and edge.
A bit more grand gesture when Luke shows up to get Jai back, would have been nice. Maybe he could have been injured in the line of duty and insisting on bringing floweres/chocolate when he went for x-ray, now that would have been romantic.
Great story, but could have been better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2019
👮 To come out or not: frustratingly touching👍👍
😍🔥 I really found this MM relationship touching, spicy and sweet, with a heap of sadness thrown in. Rural policeman Luke is stiflingly closeted after a life trying to live according to a macho, straight guy stereotype in his small hometown in Australia. I found his dilemma sad and realistic. Boxing himself in out of fear and habit while attitudes were evolving around him was something I could easily imagine. Newly-arrived radiology tech Jai shook his attitude but walls and engrained behavior can take a long time to crumble. I thought the author's use of Luke's struggling nephew to bring things to a head was adroit.
👥There's plenty of smokin' 🔥 passion intermingled with a growing friendship and affection and it's hard to imagine Luke could believe their closeness would go unnoticed in his small country town. Jai and his supportive best friend Kris were sympathetic, particularly in their attitude toward their rehabilitation after their wild, partying years, but Luke's dilemma was the heart and soul of this story.
I found the writing style good and well-paced and I am inclined to read more works by Mia Terry based on my enjoyment of this story😊.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
😍🔥 I really found this MM relationship touching, spicy and sweet, with a heap of sadness thrown in. Rural policeman Luke is stiflingly closeted after a life trying to live according to a macho, straight guy stereotype in his small hometown in Australia. I found his dilemma sad and realistic. Boxing himself in out of fear and habit while attitudes were evolving around him was something I could easily imagine. Newly-arrived radiology tech Jai shook his attitude but walls and engrained behavior can take a long time to crumble. I thought the author's use of Luke's struggling nephew to bring things to a head was adroit.
👥There's plenty of smokin' 🔥 passion intermingled with a growing friendship and affection and it's hard to imagine Luke could believe their closeness would go unnoticed in his small country town. Jai and his supportive best friend Kris were sympathetic, particularly in their attitude toward their rehabilitation after their wild, partying years, but Luke's dilemma was the heart and soul of this story.
I found the writing style good and well-paced and I am inclined to read more works by Mia Terry based on my enjoyment of this story😊.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
January 2, 2020
I like Aussie stories since Australia (and New Zealand) are on my bucket list. Now my review:
First impressions - don't judge a book or a person by the cover or the appearance.
Familiar colloquialisms that apply to cop Luke McClain and newby to Dungoon Jai Latimore.
Luke is part of Dungoon's police in Outback Australia and deep in the closet. After all, this
town has very strict views and being an admitted gay man carries harsh consequences. At least
that's what Luke believes. Dungoon's citizens only knew about gays from watching TV and "fag" was the red flag used as an excuse for brawling. As for Jai, he's come to Dungoon with a harsh history of drug abuse, being a recovering alcoholic, and openly gay by his dress, attitude, and refreshing views. He is so much the opposite of Luke that Jai makes it his mission to open up Luke's view on the world around him by exposing him to today's music, dance, the outside world's changing view of gays that just doesn't exist in Dungoon.
Luke is a dyed in the wool cop and Jai being an ex-felon is something that Luke can't see
himself accepting of Jai. What's ingrained can't be undone. Or so he believes.
Unknown by each (in the beginning) is that both are looking for that sense of belonging that
having a "home" in each other's arms is what fulfills both of their lives. This is my voluntary
review for the ARC I got.
First impressions - don't judge a book or a person by the cover or the appearance.
Familiar colloquialisms that apply to cop Luke McClain and newby to Dungoon Jai Latimore.
Luke is part of Dungoon's police in Outback Australia and deep in the closet. After all, this
town has very strict views and being an admitted gay man carries harsh consequences. At least
that's what Luke believes. Dungoon's citizens only knew about gays from watching TV and "fag" was the red flag used as an excuse for brawling. As for Jai, he's come to Dungoon with a harsh history of drug abuse, being a recovering alcoholic, and openly gay by his dress, attitude, and refreshing views. He is so much the opposite of Luke that Jai makes it his mission to open up Luke's view on the world around him by exposing him to today's music, dance, the outside world's changing view of gays that just doesn't exist in Dungoon.
Luke is a dyed in the wool cop and Jai being an ex-felon is something that Luke can't see
himself accepting of Jai. What's ingrained can't be undone. Or so he believes.
Unknown by each (in the beginning) is that both are looking for that sense of belonging that
having a "home" in each other's arms is what fulfills both of their lives. This is my voluntary
review for the ARC I got.
December 26, 2019
This is a new to me author and I really enjoyed this first book.
The characters, Jai and Luke, are engaging and lovely to read.
Jai, the City Boy, is a recovering addict who needed a change of scenery and moves out to the country. He is unapologetically gay and proud of it.
Luke, the Country Cop, is buried deep in the closet and is terrified that coming out will ruin his life.
As trope-y as this sounds, it’s actually not. Jai is kind and patient and is willing to help Luke to find his place and show him that he can embrace his gay self.
The writing style makes it a fascinating and the author creates characters that are sympathetic and still strong.
I would completely recommend this novel to others.
The characters, Jai and Luke, are engaging and lovely to read.
Jai, the City Boy, is a recovering addict who needed a change of scenery and moves out to the country. He is unapologetically gay and proud of it.
Luke, the Country Cop, is buried deep in the closet and is terrified that coming out will ruin his life.
As trope-y as this sounds, it’s actually not. Jai is kind and patient and is willing to help Luke to find his place and show him that he can embrace his gay self.
The writing style makes it a fascinating and the author creates characters that are sympathetic and still strong.
I would completely recommend this novel to others.
January 6, 2020
Great read, loved the characters and setting!
I really enjoyed this book. This a new to me author and I’m really glad I tried it. Definitely getting the rest of the series next.
I loved both main characters, each had uniqueness, strengths & weaknesses. Perfect in some ways and broken in others-loved how they were done. They also had great chemistry together.
I enjoyed the setting as well which was enough to remind me I was “visiting” a new location to me but not such a huge focus that I was trying to figure anything out. It enhanced but didn’t take over the story.
Looking forward to the next books!
I really enjoyed this book. This a new to me author and I’m really glad I tried it. Definitely getting the rest of the series next.
I loved both main characters, each had uniqueness, strengths & weaknesses. Perfect in some ways and broken in others-loved how they were done. They also had great chemistry together.
I enjoyed the setting as well which was enough to remind me I was “visiting” a new location to me but not such a huge focus that I was trying to figure anything out. It enhanced but didn’t take over the story.
Looking forward to the next books!
February 19, 2019
I Am Who I Am
Jai has fought to be the man he is...and he is proud of what he has accomplished. It wasn’t easy.
Luke is a cop in rural Australia who has always hidden who he is. When Jai comes to town he begins to question the life he has always lived in a closet.
When Tom opens his eyes even more, life in a small town might not be so confining anymore.
A lovely story with men you cannot help but fall in love with. Plus you will really want to experience Mardi Gras in Sydney!
Jai has fought to be the man he is...and he is proud of what he has accomplished. It wasn’t easy.
Luke is a cop in rural Australia who has always hidden who he is. When Jai comes to town he begins to question the life he has always lived in a closet.
When Tom opens his eyes even more, life in a small town might not be so confining anymore.
A lovely story with men you cannot help but fall in love with. Plus you will really want to experience Mardi Gras in Sydney!
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