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The Speakeasy #1
With a Twist
Love, served with a twist.
Nursing a broken heart when his ex-boyfriend, Riley, leaves him for the love of his life, Carter, Will Martin throws himself into teaching at NYU and writing. An invite from Riley to a speakeasy called Under helps Will begin to heal, and he finds himself enjoying both the drinks and the company.
Soon after, he’s shaken by news of his father’s cancer diagnosis and Will reluctantly returns to Long Island to see the man who disowned him after he was outed.
Sparks fly when Will meets his father’s mentee, Republican Senator David Mori, who is both mixed race and openly gay. Will is looking for a no-strings-attached fling and David is leery of getting involved with his mentor’s son, so they keep their affair a secret.
As his father’s health worsens, Will elects to remain in Garden City and his relationship with David grows beyond casual sex. Now, both men must decide how to bridge the divide between them.
Reader advisory: This book contains expressions of homophobia and racism by multiple secondary characters, references to disownment, and descriptions of terminal illness and death of secondary characters.
General Release Date: 25th September 2018
Nursing a broken heart when his ex-boyfriend, Riley, leaves him for the love of his life, Carter, Will Martin throws himself into teaching at NYU and writing. An invite from Riley to a speakeasy called Under helps Will begin to heal, and he finds himself enjoying both the drinks and the company.
Soon after, he’s shaken by news of his father’s cancer diagnosis and Will reluctantly returns to Long Island to see the man who disowned him after he was outed.
Sparks fly when Will meets his father’s mentee, Republican Senator David Mori, who is both mixed race and openly gay. Will is looking for a no-strings-attached fling and David is leery of getting involved with his mentor’s son, so they keep their affair a secret.
As his father’s health worsens, Will elects to remain in Garden City and his relationship with David grows beyond casual sex. Now, both men must decide how to bridge the divide between them.
Reader advisory: This book contains expressions of homophobia and racism by multiple secondary characters, references to disownment, and descriptions of terminal illness and death of secondary characters.
General Release Date: 25th September 2018
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2018
26 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
K. Evan Coles
21 books261 followersK. Evan Coles is a mother and tech pirate by day and a writer by night. She is a dreamer who, with a little hard work and a lot of good coffee, coaxes words out of her head and onto paper.
K. lives in the northeast United States, where she complains bitterly about the winters, but truly loves the region and its diverse, tenacious and deceptively compassionate people. You’ll usually find K. nerding out over books, movies and television with friends and family. She’s especially proud to be raising her son as part of a new generation of unabashed geeks.
K.'s books explore LGBTQ+ romance in contemporary settings.
Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/308e1be9c54a/colessignup
K. lives in the northeast United States, where she complains bitterly about the winters, but truly loves the region and its diverse, tenacious and deceptively compassionate people. You’ll usually find K. nerding out over books, movies and television with friends and family. She’s especially proud to be raising her son as part of a new generation of unabashed geeks.
K.'s books explore LGBTQ+ romance in contemporary settings.
Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/308e1be9c54a/colessignup
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 17, 2018
4.5 Stars
I was pleasantly surprised when my request for the local library to buy this came through...usually ebooks take a while and I've only had this one on my wishlist shelf for a little while. And despite the politics, which is an important theme, I found myself enjoying the story immensely. Because David reads more like a Pre-Reagan Republican, is openly gay, supports many so-called "liberal" social positions and isn't afraid to risk his seat by voting against current party lines. He says himself that he votes purple in a blue state...
But what I loved most about this story was how everyone, EVERYONE, talked things out. Some, a decade later (Will & his Dad) and there was only one real misunderstanding between Will & David that got quickly resolved (which David was 10000% right about). There were heart-to-hearts with both men and their sisters, with Will and his Mom. With Will & his friends. I think I gave a half-star upgrade based on the long, heart-felt conversations. On the worries and fears that were aired out and not let to fester. On how reasonable and civil and truly emotional they all were.
And I adored that Will took a look at his own behavior & reactions to see if maybe he was harder on his family than he remembered, if maybe some of his own actions contributed to the divisiveness. Plus, I hate that it appears Bill had a "come to Jesus" revelation on his death-bed...because we only get little snippets of conversation and interaction about how he'd actually started re-evaluating his positions, his opinions, his bigotry, almost the moment he cut Will out of the family more than 10 years prior.
Seriously, if you don't mind a little politics (and not vitriolic for the most part, it's pretty even handed and portrays a minority of GOP politicians as moderate and not uber-right-wing), this was a heart-breaking and yet wonderfully romantic tale.
(I didn't read the previous series, with Will's ex, Riley, and only felt a little bit like I'd missed some character development...and there are A LOT of side characters. Many of whom I hope also have their own books!)
I was pleasantly surprised when my request for the local library to buy this came through...usually ebooks take a while and I've only had this one on my wishlist shelf for a little while. And despite the politics, which is an important theme, I found myself enjoying the story immensely. Because David reads more like a Pre-Reagan Republican, is openly gay, supports many so-called "liberal" social positions and isn't afraid to risk his seat by voting against current party lines. He says himself that he votes purple in a blue state...
But what I loved most about this story was how everyone, EVERYONE, talked things out. Some, a decade later (Will & his Dad) and there was only one real misunderstanding between Will & David that got quickly resolved (which David was 10000% right about). There were heart-to-hearts with both men and their sisters, with Will and his Mom. With Will & his friends. I think I gave a half-star upgrade based on the long, heart-felt conversations. On the worries and fears that were aired out and not let to fester. On how reasonable and civil and truly emotional they all were.
And I adored that Will took a look at his own behavior & reactions to see if maybe he was harder on his family than he remembered, if maybe some of his own actions contributed to the divisiveness. Plus, I hate that it appears Bill had a "come to Jesus" revelation on his death-bed...because we only get little snippets of conversation and interaction about how he'd actually started re-evaluating his positions, his opinions, his bigotry, almost the moment he cut Will out of the family more than 10 years prior.
Seriously, if you don't mind a little politics (and not vitriolic for the most part, it's pretty even handed and portrays a minority of GOP politicians as moderate and not uber-right-wing), this was a heart-breaking and yet wonderfully romantic tale.
(I didn't read the previous series, with Will's ex, Riley, and only felt a little bit like I'd missed some character development...and there are A LOT of side characters. Many of whom I hope also have their own books!)
March 25, 2019
Will and David
This story rises above other ones I read. It had a higher level of emotional and rational maturity. It felt awful realistic.
Will hesitatingly returns to his parents house because his father is prognoses with cancer. His mother and sister insistent on his presence. Disowned by his father for being gay and caught with his boyfriend, Will has bad feelings about it, but supported by his friends he reluctantly heads home.
Will is a douchebag in David’s eyes, and David is a traitor in Will’s eyes.
David Mori, a republican first term Senator and Will Martin, son of Senator Bill Martin who is Davids mentee.
Extended conversations, discussions always on the table. There are a lot of political statements and they don’t agree on many points. But still there is something blooming.
Both men don’t jump into a relationship. It’s kind of a slow burn. More long term friends with benefits.
We are witness of an absolutely engaging story. Will and David both are well developed and because of that I did feel deeply connected with them. The stunning way this story is written makes it all, sometimes awful, real. The awareness of the current situations by Will, the openness of both Will and David to each other and to their environments was just heartwarming. No excessive behavior, it was quite the opposite. All processes are well described. No rush in this story, more quiet and controlled, also during the heavy subjects.
I loved it that both men were put into the spotlight. Both had their, well deserved, part, their emotions felt real and honest. All the friends and family were emphatically present.
An in width and depth developed and extended story which I intensely enjoyed.
A recommendation worth!!
This story rises above other ones I read. It had a higher level of emotional and rational maturity. It felt awful realistic.
Will hesitatingly returns to his parents house because his father is prognoses with cancer. His mother and sister insistent on his presence. Disowned by his father for being gay and caught with his boyfriend, Will has bad feelings about it, but supported by his friends he reluctantly heads home.
Will is a douchebag in David’s eyes, and David is a traitor in Will’s eyes.
David Mori, a republican first term Senator and Will Martin, son of Senator Bill Martin who is Davids mentee.
Extended conversations, discussions always on the table. There are a lot of political statements and they don’t agree on many points. But still there is something blooming.
Both men don’t jump into a relationship. It’s kind of a slow burn. More long term friends with benefits.
We are witness of an absolutely engaging story. Will and David both are well developed and because of that I did feel deeply connected with them. The stunning way this story is written makes it all, sometimes awful, real. The awareness of the current situations by Will, the openness of both Will and David to each other and to their environments was just heartwarming. No excessive behavior, it was quite the opposite. All processes are well described. No rush in this story, more quiet and controlled, also during the heavy subjects.
I loved it that both men were put into the spotlight. Both had their, well deserved, part, their emotions felt real and honest. All the friends and family were emphatically present.
An in width and depth developed and extended story which I intensely enjoyed.
A recommendation worth!!
October 12, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
With a Twist is a spinoff from Vaughn and Coles’ previous series, Tidal, that featured Riley and Carter. Will dated Riley and the breakup was difficult for him. While Riley and Carter are seen here, this book could be read on its own if you are okay with not understanding all of the dynamics between Will, Riley, and Carter. There were several characters introduced in the previous books that I was interested in reading about and this book was an anticipated read for me. However, I can’t say it worked out for me too well. My main issue was the way Will was treated.
Will’s father disowned him when he saw him with a boyfriend. Neither Will nor his father tried to contact the other and ten years have gone by. Now Will’s father is terminal, and his sister and mother implore Will to come home because they need him. They have maintained contact with Will, but have never supported that he was gay and they admit that. Still, they call him selfish for not wanting to uproot his life and leave the city to move back into his parents’ home to help them. It was all about them and not even a little bit about Will. They then mount a campaign to tell Will how much his father has changed in the last ten years and that he should really ease up and make amends. And, then Will starts feeling guilty for all of it. This entire storyline was incredibly problematic for me.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3 stars
With a Twist is a spinoff from Vaughn and Coles’ previous series, Tidal, that featured Riley and Carter. Will dated Riley and the breakup was difficult for him. While Riley and Carter are seen here, this book could be read on its own if you are okay with not understanding all of the dynamics between Will, Riley, and Carter. There were several characters introduced in the previous books that I was interested in reading about and this book was an anticipated read for me. However, I can’t say it worked out for me too well. My main issue was the way Will was treated.
Will’s father disowned him when he saw him with a boyfriend. Neither Will nor his father tried to contact the other and ten years have gone by. Now Will’s father is terminal, and his sister and mother implore Will to come home because they need him. They have maintained contact with Will, but have never supported that he was gay and they admit that. Still, they call him selfish for not wanting to uproot his life and leave the city to move back into his parents’ home to help them. It was all about them and not even a little bit about Will. They then mount a campaign to tell Will how much his father has changed in the last ten years and that he should really ease up and make amends. And, then Will starts feeling guilty for all of it. This entire storyline was incredibly problematic for me.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
October 5, 2018
5 Stars
Truthfully, I didn’t like Will when I met him in the Tidal series, in fact, I consulted my review of Calm, and yes, I said he had the personality of a wet mop, and truthfully, well, it was true, but a big portion of why I disliked Will so much was because he was in the way of Riley and Carter, so I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book, because, well..Will, but I have to admit Will quickly won me over once I learned his backstory. He seemed much more likable in this story, and I loved really getting to know him. He was a bit stiff in the beginning, but as the story progressed, I found he began to loosen up somewhat.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about David at first. I mean, the man is gay and a Republican.. I didn’t think those two things went together, but I can see how you could lean to the more moderate side of things, because, while I’m a Democrat, but I definitely don’t agree with all the policies of the party. Still, while it was hard to wrap my head around this at times, I think getting to know David opened my eyes a bit and made me really think, something that’s always good when reading.
Together David and Will were like oil and water at first. They definitely didn’t mix. Frenemies at best in the beginning, their relationship quickly progresses to sorta friends with benefits then to more. The progression of their relationship was natural and paced well. They had amazing chemistry, not Riley and Carter chemistry, but they were still great together.
I loved getting to watch Will heal his broken relationship with his family, as well, and I felt a connection with him here and my heart broke for him in the end, but I’m glad he got the chance to right some past wrongs.
As much as I wasn’t sure I’d like Will’s story, I have to say it drew me in and held me captive until the very end. It’s well-written and the collaboration between the authors is seamless. This is book one in a new series, but it’s a spinoff of another series, Tidal, and while it can be read as a standalone, I think it’ll flow better if you read Wake and Calm first. Besides, you don’t want to miss out on reading Riley snd Carter’s story, it’s simply amazing. Plus, Carter and Riley, as well as Jesse and Kyle, who we also met in the previous books, feature prominently throughout this story. I loved getting to catch up with all the guys and of course, see how Riley and Carter’s lives are progressing and I can’t wait to see whose story is next *cough* Jesse *cough*
This was an amazing start to a new series that I can’t recommend enough. It was enjoyable and filled with so much emotion. So just go one-click it, and don’t forget Wake and Calm if you don’t already own them. You won’t regret it, I promise!
*copy provided by author or publisher in exchange for an honest review*
May 16, 2022
Good book but I struggled reading the toxic family dynamics
I really appreciate the character development in this duo's slow burns. This one has Will, introduced in another book, dealing with his father's illness. His father had disowned Will and they weren't in contact for ten years. I liked this book, but I didn't like the lack of support for Will. The rejection by his father was traumatic for him, and i place the blame only on the dad's shoulders. I like the complexity and shades of gray the authors depict, but I wanted to see more apologies from his family, and zero judgment of him for keeping his distance.
I really appreciate the character development in this duo's slow burns. This one has Will, introduced in another book, dealing with his father's illness. His father had disowned Will and they weren't in contact for ten years. I liked this book, but I didn't like the lack of support for Will. The rejection by his father was traumatic for him, and i place the blame only on the dad's shoulders. I like the complexity and shades of gray the authors depict, but I wanted to see more apologies from his family, and zero judgment of him for keeping his distance.
March 26, 2019
It took me way too long, but I’m so happy that at last I’ve found me way back to the universe Coles and Vaughn created in the Tidal Series. I adored both Wake and Calm and returning to that world meant that I could both reconnect with Riley and Carter and, more importantly, get to know the fascinating secondary characters I had met in the earlier book much better.
With a Twist is the first of the new ‘break-away’ stories and focuses on Will, the historian who had a brief relationship with Riley in Calm. Poor Will, he didn’t have an easy time then and, when With a Twist starts it is immediately clear that it won’t be smooth going for him in this book either.
LOL. I haven’t to admit he didn’t make an overly positive impression on me at first. There was more than one occasion when I would have loved to give him a stern talking to. But, one of the many things that made this story a wonderful read is that Will didn’t need me to tell him he was being a dick. In fact, this story focuses on Will coming to terms with himself and his past and in the process calming down, becoming less defensive and inclined to assume the worst. I loved watching Will as he slowly lowered his walls a little, allowed himself to reassess situations he’d made up his mind about years earlier, and opened his eyes and his heart. By the end of the book Will had transformed and barely resembled the tightly-wound bundle of nerves he’d been when the book started. And, while his journey most certainly came with intriguing and hot ups, it also involved one or two rather frustrating downs.
Which brings me to David who, to the casual observer at least, was an oasis of calm next to Will’s explosive nature. To a large extend he was exactly that, and thus precisely what Will needed. But of course David had feelings, fears, and insecurities of his own. He just didn’t throw them around like live grenades as Will did once or twice. I have to admit to adoring David. He was the perfect mixture of supportive, understanding, and forgiving without ever allowing himself to be put second.
These two men were incredibly hot together, and for me that heat simmered on the page. But, they were so very much more than that. While there certainly is a strong physical attraction between Will and David from the start, the real beauty in this book was how what started as borderline angry-sex soon, and almost imperceptibly, changed into mutual curiosity and support.
In my review of the Tidal stories I mention that I would those books as realism. The same is true for With a Twist. This is not a story of miracles or sudden moments of blinding insight or happily-ever-afters that appear from nowhere. This story shows it all: the ups and downs. The false starts and the courage to try again. The problems caused by lack of communication and the benefits of opening up to each other. While not all the realism was easy for me to read, it did keep me totally hooked in the story, as if I was observing two friends trying to find their way along a rocky path.
It would be impossible to talk about this book without mentioning the rest of the Speakeasy crew. It was wonderful to catch up with Riley and Carter again and see glimpses of the life they are building together. Jesse is always a delight to read about, and Kyle isn’t hard on the reader either😊. The friendship these men share, and the way they are there for each other, may or may not have brought tears to my eyes at one point.
With a Twist was a fabulous read and managed to engage me totally. I’m pretty sure I experienced every emotion known to man at least once while reading this book and for that reason alone, I recommend it highly.
With a Twist is the first of the new ‘break-away’ stories and focuses on Will, the historian who had a brief relationship with Riley in Calm. Poor Will, he didn’t have an easy time then and, when With a Twist starts it is immediately clear that it won’t be smooth going for him in this book either.
LOL. I haven’t to admit he didn’t make an overly positive impression on me at first. There was more than one occasion when I would have loved to give him a stern talking to. But, one of the many things that made this story a wonderful read is that Will didn’t need me to tell him he was being a dick. In fact, this story focuses on Will coming to terms with himself and his past and in the process calming down, becoming less defensive and inclined to assume the worst. I loved watching Will as he slowly lowered his walls a little, allowed himself to reassess situations he’d made up his mind about years earlier, and opened his eyes and his heart. By the end of the book Will had transformed and barely resembled the tightly-wound bundle of nerves he’d been when the book started. And, while his journey most certainly came with intriguing and hot ups, it also involved one or two rather frustrating downs.
Which brings me to David who, to the casual observer at least, was an oasis of calm next to Will’s explosive nature. To a large extend he was exactly that, and thus precisely what Will needed. But of course David had feelings, fears, and insecurities of his own. He just didn’t throw them around like live grenades as Will did once or twice. I have to admit to adoring David. He was the perfect mixture of supportive, understanding, and forgiving without ever allowing himself to be put second.
These two men were incredibly hot together, and for me that heat simmered on the page. But, they were so very much more than that. While there certainly is a strong physical attraction between Will and David from the start, the real beauty in this book was how what started as borderline angry-sex soon, and almost imperceptibly, changed into mutual curiosity and support.
In my review of the Tidal stories I mention that I would those books as realism. The same is true for With a Twist. This is not a story of miracles or sudden moments of blinding insight or happily-ever-afters that appear from nowhere. This story shows it all: the ups and downs. The false starts and the courage to try again. The problems caused by lack of communication and the benefits of opening up to each other. While not all the realism was easy for me to read, it did keep me totally hooked in the story, as if I was observing two friends trying to find their way along a rocky path.
It would be impossible to talk about this book without mentioning the rest of the Speakeasy crew. It was wonderful to catch up with Riley and Carter again and see glimpses of the life they are building together. Jesse is always a delight to read about, and Kyle isn’t hard on the reader either😊. The friendship these men share, and the way they are there for each other, may or may not have brought tears to my eyes at one point.
With a Twist was a fabulous read and managed to engage me totally. I’m pretty sure I experienced every emotion known to man at least once while reading this book and for that reason alone, I recommend it highly.
May 26, 2020
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the first book in the series - I have to admit I read book 3 first, and am now catching up, before book 4 releases soon! I really enjoyed Behind the Stick, and did not regret going to back to the beginning. Getting to meet the guys and understand their complicated links and past loves was well worth while.
Will has come to terms with not being the one true love of his ex, Riley. He is doing his best to accept that Carter is a better match, and still remain friends with them and their mutual friends. Add in the terrible news that his estranged, senator father has terminal cancer, and he is once again feeling off kilter. He makes the right decision to go home to his parents and there meets someone who should not be setting off all his tingly sense, but is. His father's mentee, and fellow senator, David Mori. We soon get the lie of the land, and the level of complicated which the two of them face if they are to pursue a relationship of any sort.
On dual tracks between his family home, and his city life, we get to see Will deal with the complexities. and use the newly opened Speakeasy, Under as a place of refuge and safety. I loved meeting the guys and getting a few more cocktail recipes from the very talented Kyle.
Straight onto book 2 for me!
This is the first book in the series - I have to admit I read book 3 first, and am now catching up, before book 4 releases soon! I really enjoyed Behind the Stick, and did not regret going to back to the beginning. Getting to meet the guys and understand their complicated links and past loves was well worth while.
Will has come to terms with not being the one true love of his ex, Riley. He is doing his best to accept that Carter is a better match, and still remain friends with them and their mutual friends. Add in the terrible news that his estranged, senator father has terminal cancer, and he is once again feeling off kilter. He makes the right decision to go home to his parents and there meets someone who should not be setting off all his tingly sense, but is. His father's mentee, and fellow senator, David Mori. We soon get the lie of the land, and the level of complicated which the two of them face if they are to pursue a relationship of any sort.
On dual tracks between his family home, and his city life, we get to see Will deal with the complexities. and use the newly opened Speakeasy, Under as a place of refuge and safety. I loved meeting the guys and getting a few more cocktail recipes from the very talented Kyle.
Straight onto book 2 for me!
February 13, 2019
The idea of an openly gay Republican elected to office seems like an oxymoron but I have to say, the authors really made it work here. There really isn’t much in the way of politics in the story, brief mentions of the differences between very liberal Will and conservative David but no disagreements or debates over specifics are included. David was presented as a moderate Republican state senator so no mention of national issues either. I like a story that makes me think though and there was enough substance to provide food for thought. The reconciliation between Will and his father was handled with sensitivity and realism, as was his relationship with David. Will was still a jerk quite a few times and I wish David had demanded more groveling.
The story felt slow-moving to me at times but never boring. Completely character driven, alternating perspectives from David and Will give events added momentum. I didn’t read the books with Will’s ex but the narrative covered enough information to follow along easily. The storyline was quite heartwarming and emotional, especially the emphasis on family and friends. There’s moderate steam, strong romantic content and progression of David and Will’s relationship was presented authentically. I can’t say the prose was scintillating but it’s a strong, steady, well-written plot line and an informative, absorbing read.
The story felt slow-moving to me at times but never boring. Completely character driven, alternating perspectives from David and Will give events added momentum. I didn’t read the books with Will’s ex but the narrative covered enough information to follow along easily. The storyline was quite heartwarming and emotional, especially the emphasis on family and friends. There’s moderate steam, strong romantic content and progression of David and Will’s relationship was presented authentically. I can’t say the prose was scintillating but it’s a strong, steady, well-written plot line and an informative, absorbing read.
September 26, 2018
I beta'd this and loved it. I'll be buying it soon. Now I just have to read the series that led to it because I'm sure I'll love it even more after that.
June 9, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this great story. Estranged gay son of right wing republican politician comes home to be with him as he dies. He does not count on meetimg young prodigy and falling hard
March 28, 2019
Review in English and Polish || Recenzja po angielsku i polsku
In order to finally heal his broken heart after breaking up with his boyfriend who started dating the love of his life after years of friendship, Will Martin devotes himself to his work at NYU and writing. Unfortunately, instead of licking his wounds in peace, Will needs to help his mother and sister take care of his father who was diagnosed with cancer. The problem is that some time ago his father, a Republican Senator, rejected him when he discovered that his son is gay. Will can't forgive his father for how he was treated. What makes this situation even worse is the fact that while in the past Will was forced to move out from home because of his sexual orientation, now his father seems to have no problem with accepting his colleague, young Senator David Mori, who is also gay. Two young men argue already at the first meeting. However, it happens that the feelings that slowly come to life between these two are based not only on negative emotions, but also on strong mutual attraction.
The first thing that caught my attention in "With a Twist", the first volume of "The Speakeasy" series, was a motif of ex-boyfriends who after ending their relationship remain friends. I admit that I have always had a weakness for this subject and I suspect it will never change. In any case, I really liked how K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn presented this motif – as something natural but demanding some work – and used it in the plot of this book to help Will find his way through life. Equally important to me in this context is the fact that friends of the ex-boyfriend are still our protagonist's friends and they don't choose sides, as is often the case with the motif of exes in other books.
A significant problem raised in "With a Twist" which is undoubtedly worth our attention are family relations. Let us note that this important topic has been presented in the novel in a really complex way and it fulfills more than just one role. First of all, it helps clearly outline our characters' inside and personality, and show the factors that have influenced who they are when they get to know each other. It is also the topic that gives this story the seriousness and depth, and makes it more than just a romance. What's more, family relations are one of the problems that drive the plot of this volume both in terms of the protagonists' development, in particular Will's, and the creation and strengthening of feelings between the main characters. I'm sure that K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn have really made the most of the potential of this undoubtedly difficult subject, while ensuring that its drama vibe is fully preserved.
In "With a Twist" with the problem of family relations, the topic of human ability to change oneself is also very strongly connected. Undoubtedly, this is something that some people believe is possible, while others consider it impossible, as the authors clearly showed in their novel. By raising this issue they were able to give this story even more depth, as well as let it affect the characters. For in this way they flared up the quarrels between Will and David, gave Will the opportunity to think about his situation, and increased his internal conflict caused by returning home and renewing contact with his father. At the same time, K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn combined the theme of change with the topic of second chance, but not in the context of lovers, but the family, which I think is important and very valuable. All the more so because forgiveness doesn't come easily to Will and it requires a great amount of work.
In a few words, I would also like to mention the theme of politics, which plays a very important role in the characters' lives. I admit that I fully understand the reason for the fiery discussions between Will and David, as well as Will's problem with acceptance of some of David's incomprehensible choices. Well, after all some time ago I started to avoid the topic of politics for my own good and mental peace. But let's go back to the book. I believe that the authors have approached this subject in a very thoughtful way, and thanks to the fact that they took it seriously, they could make use of it in their characters' creation. Politics is what to a certain extent unites and divides our protagonists, and allows them to get to know each other's better and worse sides. However, let me add that K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn don't bore us with this theme, but only outline it in a way that allows us to better understand the characters.
To sum up, "With a Twist" is an interesting and quite ambitious novel, which doesn't focus only on romance, but also shows the family problems of one of the protagonists, thanks to which it gives us insight into his psyche and helps understand his contradictory emotions. It is undoubtedly a book that is worth reading, because it raises many important topics, out of which many influence our feelings so we engage in reading even stronger.
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Chcąc w końcu wyleczyć złamane serce po rozstaniu ze swoim chłopakiem, który po latach przyjaźni związał się z mężczyzną będącym miłością jego życia, Will Martin poświęca się pracy na nowojorskim uniwersytecie oraz pisaniu książek. Niestety zamiast w spokoju lizać rany, Will musi pomóc matce i siostrze w opiece nad ojcem, u którego wykryto raka. Problem w tym, że przed laty będący senatorem ojciec odrzucił go, kiedy odkrył, że syn jest gejem. Will nie potrafi wybaczyć ojcu tego, jak został potraktowany, a sytuacji nie poprawia fakt, że podczas gdy on musiał w przeszłości opuścić rodzinny dom, jego ojciec wydaje się nie mieć żadnych problemów z zaakceptowaniem swojego współpracownika, młodego senatora Davida Mori, który podobnie jak Will jest gejem. Między dwójką młodych mężczyzn już przy pierwszym spotkaniu dochodzi do ostrej wymiany zdań. Tak się jednak składa, że uczucia, które powoli budzą się w tej dwójce opierają się nie tylko na negatywnych emocjach, ale i silnym wzajemnym zainteresowaniu.
Pierwszą rzeczą, jaka przykuła moją uwagę w „With a Twist”, pierwszym tomie serii „The Speakeasy”, był motyw byłego chłopaka, który po zakończeniu związku pozostaje przyjacielem. Przyznaję, że od zawsze miałam do tego słabość i podejrzewam, że to nigdy się nie zmieni. W każdym razie, bardzo spodobało mi się to, w jaki sposób K. Evan Coles i Brigham Vaughn przedstawił ten motyw – jako coś naturalnego, ale wymagającego pewnego nakładu pracy – i wykorzystały w fabule tej książki, pomagając Willowi odnaleźć właściwą drogę. Równie istotne wydaje mi się w tym kontekście to, że przyjaciele byłego chłopaka wciąż pozostają przyjaciółmi naszego bohatera, a nie wybierają jednej ze stron, jak ma to często miejsce w przypadku motywu eks-faceta.
Bardzo ważnym i niewątpliwie wartym naszej uwagi problemem, który został podjęty w „With a Twist” są relacje rodzinne. Zauważmy, że ten istotny temat został w powieści naprawdę kompleksowo ukazany i spełnia w niej niejedną rolę. Po pierwsze, pomaga on w wyraźnym nakreśleniu wnętrza i osobowości naszych bohaterów, w ukazaniu czynników, które wpłynęły na to, jakimi są w chwili, kiedy się poznają. Jest to także temat, który nadaje przedstawionej tu historii powagi i głębi, czyni ją czymś więcej niż tylko zwykłym romansem. Co więcej, relacje rodzinne są jednym z problemów, które napędzają fabułę tego tomu zarówno pod względem rozwoju wewnętrznego protagonistów, w szczególności Willa, jak i tworzenia się i umacniania uczuć między dwójką głównych bohaterów. Uważam, że K. Evan Coles oraz Brigham Vaughn naprawdę doskonale wykorzystały potencjał tego niewątpliwie trudnego tematu, jednocześnie dbając o to, by otaczająca go aury dramatu została w pełni zachowana.
W „With a Twist” z problemem relacji rodzinnych bardzo silnie łączy się również temat ludzkiej możliwości do zmieniania się. Niewątpliwie jest to coś, w co jedni wierzą, podczas gdy inny uważają to za niemożliwe, co autorki wyraźnie ukazały w swojej powieści. Poprzez podjęcie tej problematyki udało im się nadać tej historii jeszcze większej głębi, jak również pozwoliły by wpłynęła ona na bohaterów. Albowiem w ten sposób zaogniły sprzeczki między Willem i Davidem, dały Willowi okazję do refleksji oraz zwiększyły jego konflikt wewnętrzny wywołany powrotem do domu i odnowieniem kontaktów z ojcem. Jednocześnie K. Evan Coles oraz Brigham Vaughn połączyły temat zmiany z tematem drugiej szansy, jednak nie w kontekście kochanków, ale rodziny, co uważam za istotne i bardzo wartościowe. Tym bardziej, że przebaczenie wcale nie przychodzi Willowi z łatwością i wymaga od niego ogromnego nakładu pracy nad sobą samym.
W kilku słowach chciałabym wspomnieć także o temacie polityki, który odgrywa w życiu bohaterów dosyć istotną rolę. Przyznaję, że w pełni rozumiem powód płomiennych dyskusji toczących się między Willem i Davidem, jak i problem tego pierwszego z akceptacją niektórych niezrozumiałych dla niego do końca wyborów Davida. W końcu dla własnego dobra i spokoju psychicznego sama musiałam jakiś czas temu zacząć unikać tematu polityki. Wróćmy jednak do książki. Uważam, że autorki w bardzo przemyślany sposób podeszły do tego tematu i właśnie dzięki temu, że potraktowały go poważnie, mogły wykorzystać go w kreacji bohaterów. Polityka jest bowiem tym, co w pewnym stopniu łączy i dzieli naszych protagonistów, jak również pozwala im lepiej się poznać od tej lepszej i gorszej strony. Pozwolę sobie jednak dodać, że K. Evan Coles i Brigham Vaughn nie zanudzają nas tym tematem, a jedynie nakreślają go w sposób pozwalający nam na lepsze zrozumienie bohaterów.
Podsumowując, „With a Twist” jest interesującą i dosyć ambitną powieścią, która nie skupia się jedynie na romansie, ale ukazuje także problemy rodzinne jednego z bohaterów, dzięki czemu pozwala nam zajrzeć w jego psychikę i zrozumieć targające nim sprzeczne emocje. To bezsprzecznie książka, którą warto przeczytać, ponieważ porusza wiele ważnych tematów, z których nie jeden wpłynie na odczuwane przez nas emocje i tym mocniej zaangażuje nas w lekturę.
In order to finally heal his broken heart after breaking up with his boyfriend who started dating the love of his life after years of friendship, Will Martin devotes himself to his work at NYU and writing. Unfortunately, instead of licking his wounds in peace, Will needs to help his mother and sister take care of his father who was diagnosed with cancer. The problem is that some time ago his father, a Republican Senator, rejected him when he discovered that his son is gay. Will can't forgive his father for how he was treated. What makes this situation even worse is the fact that while in the past Will was forced to move out from home because of his sexual orientation, now his father seems to have no problem with accepting his colleague, young Senator David Mori, who is also gay. Two young men argue already at the first meeting. However, it happens that the feelings that slowly come to life between these two are based not only on negative emotions, but also on strong mutual attraction.
The first thing that caught my attention in "With a Twist", the first volume of "The Speakeasy" series, was a motif of ex-boyfriends who after ending their relationship remain friends. I admit that I have always had a weakness for this subject and I suspect it will never change. In any case, I really liked how K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn presented this motif – as something natural but demanding some work – and used it in the plot of this book to help Will find his way through life. Equally important to me in this context is the fact that friends of the ex-boyfriend are still our protagonist's friends and they don't choose sides, as is often the case with the motif of exes in other books.
A significant problem raised in "With a Twist" which is undoubtedly worth our attention are family relations. Let us note that this important topic has been presented in the novel in a really complex way and it fulfills more than just one role. First of all, it helps clearly outline our characters' inside and personality, and show the factors that have influenced who they are when they get to know each other. It is also the topic that gives this story the seriousness and depth, and makes it more than just a romance. What's more, family relations are one of the problems that drive the plot of this volume both in terms of the protagonists' development, in particular Will's, and the creation and strengthening of feelings between the main characters. I'm sure that K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn have really made the most of the potential of this undoubtedly difficult subject, while ensuring that its drama vibe is fully preserved.
In "With a Twist" with the problem of family relations, the topic of human ability to change oneself is also very strongly connected. Undoubtedly, this is something that some people believe is possible, while others consider it impossible, as the authors clearly showed in their novel. By raising this issue they were able to give this story even more depth, as well as let it affect the characters. For in this way they flared up the quarrels between Will and David, gave Will the opportunity to think about his situation, and increased his internal conflict caused by returning home and renewing contact with his father. At the same time, K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn combined the theme of change with the topic of second chance, but not in the context of lovers, but the family, which I think is important and very valuable. All the more so because forgiveness doesn't come easily to Will and it requires a great amount of work.
In a few words, I would also like to mention the theme of politics, which plays a very important role in the characters' lives. I admit that I fully understand the reason for the fiery discussions between Will and David, as well as Will's problem with acceptance of some of David's incomprehensible choices. Well, after all some time ago I started to avoid the topic of politics for my own good and mental peace. But let's go back to the book. I believe that the authors have approached this subject in a very thoughtful way, and thanks to the fact that they took it seriously, they could make use of it in their characters' creation. Politics is what to a certain extent unites and divides our protagonists, and allows them to get to know each other's better and worse sides. However, let me add that K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn don't bore us with this theme, but only outline it in a way that allows us to better understand the characters.
To sum up, "With a Twist" is an interesting and quite ambitious novel, which doesn't focus only on romance, but also shows the family problems of one of the protagonists, thanks to which it gives us insight into his psyche and helps understand his contradictory emotions. It is undoubtedly a book that is worth reading, because it raises many important topics, out of which many influence our feelings so we engage in reading even stronger.
__________________________
Chcąc w końcu wyleczyć złamane serce po rozstaniu ze swoim chłopakiem, który po latach przyjaźni związał się z mężczyzną będącym miłością jego życia, Will Martin poświęca się pracy na nowojorskim uniwersytecie oraz pisaniu książek. Niestety zamiast w spokoju lizać rany, Will musi pomóc matce i siostrze w opiece nad ojcem, u którego wykryto raka. Problem w tym, że przed laty będący senatorem ojciec odrzucił go, kiedy odkrył, że syn jest gejem. Will nie potrafi wybaczyć ojcu tego, jak został potraktowany, a sytuacji nie poprawia fakt, że podczas gdy on musiał w przeszłości opuścić rodzinny dom, jego ojciec wydaje się nie mieć żadnych problemów z zaakceptowaniem swojego współpracownika, młodego senatora Davida Mori, który podobnie jak Will jest gejem. Między dwójką młodych mężczyzn już przy pierwszym spotkaniu dochodzi do ostrej wymiany zdań. Tak się jednak składa, że uczucia, które powoli budzą się w tej dwójce opierają się nie tylko na negatywnych emocjach, ale i silnym wzajemnym zainteresowaniu.
Pierwszą rzeczą, jaka przykuła moją uwagę w „With a Twist”, pierwszym tomie serii „The Speakeasy”, był motyw byłego chłopaka, który po zakończeniu związku pozostaje przyjacielem. Przyznaję, że od zawsze miałam do tego słabość i podejrzewam, że to nigdy się nie zmieni. W każdym razie, bardzo spodobało mi się to, w jaki sposób K. Evan Coles i Brigham Vaughn przedstawił ten motyw – jako coś naturalnego, ale wymagającego pewnego nakładu pracy – i wykorzystały w fabule tej książki, pomagając Willowi odnaleźć właściwą drogę. Równie istotne wydaje mi się w tym kontekście to, że przyjaciele byłego chłopaka wciąż pozostają przyjaciółmi naszego bohatera, a nie wybierają jednej ze stron, jak ma to często miejsce w przypadku motywu eks-faceta.
Bardzo ważnym i niewątpliwie wartym naszej uwagi problemem, który został podjęty w „With a Twist” są relacje rodzinne. Zauważmy, że ten istotny temat został w powieści naprawdę kompleksowo ukazany i spełnia w niej niejedną rolę. Po pierwsze, pomaga on w wyraźnym nakreśleniu wnętrza i osobowości naszych bohaterów, w ukazaniu czynników, które wpłynęły na to, jakimi są w chwili, kiedy się poznają. Jest to także temat, który nadaje przedstawionej tu historii powagi i głębi, czyni ją czymś więcej niż tylko zwykłym romansem. Co więcej, relacje rodzinne są jednym z problemów, które napędzają fabułę tego tomu zarówno pod względem rozwoju wewnętrznego protagonistów, w szczególności Willa, jak i tworzenia się i umacniania uczuć między dwójką głównych bohaterów. Uważam, że K. Evan Coles oraz Brigham Vaughn naprawdę doskonale wykorzystały potencjał tego niewątpliwie trudnego tematu, jednocześnie dbając o to, by otaczająca go aury dramatu została w pełni zachowana.
W „With a Twist” z problemem relacji rodzinnych bardzo silnie łączy się również temat ludzkiej możliwości do zmieniania się. Niewątpliwie jest to coś, w co jedni wierzą, podczas gdy inny uważają to za niemożliwe, co autorki wyraźnie ukazały w swojej powieści. Poprzez podjęcie tej problematyki udało im się nadać tej historii jeszcze większej głębi, jak również pozwoliły by wpłynęła ona na bohaterów. Albowiem w ten sposób zaogniły sprzeczki między Willem i Davidem, dały Willowi okazję do refleksji oraz zwiększyły jego konflikt wewnętrzny wywołany powrotem do domu i odnowieniem kontaktów z ojcem. Jednocześnie K. Evan Coles oraz Brigham Vaughn połączyły temat zmiany z tematem drugiej szansy, jednak nie w kontekście kochanków, ale rodziny, co uważam za istotne i bardzo wartościowe. Tym bardziej, że przebaczenie wcale nie przychodzi Willowi z łatwością i wymaga od niego ogromnego nakładu pracy nad sobą samym.
W kilku słowach chciałabym wspomnieć także o temacie polityki, który odgrywa w życiu bohaterów dosyć istotną rolę. Przyznaję, że w pełni rozumiem powód płomiennych dyskusji toczących się między Willem i Davidem, jak i problem tego pierwszego z akceptacją niektórych niezrozumiałych dla niego do końca wyborów Davida. W końcu dla własnego dobra i spokoju psychicznego sama musiałam jakiś czas temu zacząć unikać tematu polityki. Wróćmy jednak do książki. Uważam, że autorki w bardzo przemyślany sposób podeszły do tego tematu i właśnie dzięki temu, że potraktowały go poważnie, mogły wykorzystać go w kreacji bohaterów. Polityka jest bowiem tym, co w pewnym stopniu łączy i dzieli naszych protagonistów, jak również pozwala im lepiej się poznać od tej lepszej i gorszej strony. Pozwolę sobie jednak dodać, że K. Evan Coles i Brigham Vaughn nie zanudzają nas tym tematem, a jedynie nakreślają go w sposób pozwalający nam na lepsze zrozumienie bohaterów.
Podsumowując, „With a Twist” jest interesującą i dosyć ambitną powieścią, która nie skupia się jedynie na romansie, ale ukazuje także problemy rodzinne jednego z bohaterów, dzięki czemu pozwala nam zajrzeć w jego psychikę i zrozumieć targające nim sprzeczne emocje. To bezsprzecznie książka, którą warto przeczytać, ponieważ porusza wiele ważnych tematów, z których nie jeden wpłynie na odczuwane przez nas emocje i tym mocniej zaangażuje nas w lekturę.
August 1, 2019
I loved Will and David's story. Will was a secondary character in the Tidal series and intrigued me... it was great to see him get his own story, his chance at happiness, and revisit with the Tidal characters who continue to be a close knit group of friends whom you would love to share a cocktail with, and more, in this new series. Highly recommended.
December 30, 2019
“How wonderful that we have met with a paradox. Now we have some hope of making progress.” ~ Niels Bohr
Will Martin and his father have been alienated for ten years, since his father found out he was gay. Will is determined never to see him again until his mother calls with ominous news – his father has cancer and isn’t expected to live. She begs him to come home and help them take care of him. Also, she hopes that they can reconcile before his father dies. At first Will is adamant, telling her he will not come, but her pleading finally wins him over. Against his better judgement, and with the intention of never forgiving his father, Will goes home.
One of Will’s biggest surprises is that his father works closely with a Republican senator named David Mori, who also happens to be gay. Even before Will meets David, he is filled with disdain for the man he considers a traitor. How can a gay man be a Republican with everything they do to try to destroy the LGBTQ community’s rights? When they first meet, they get into an argument, without Will even letting David explain his views. Will doesn’t give David a fighting chance. He decides he doesn’t like him and it’s unlikely that he ever will. They can’t seem to agree on anything. He’s jealous of David’s good working relationship, especially with his own past relationship with his dad.
Will’s father continues to deteriorate, distressing the family. Even though they have a rocky start, because of Will’s insistence, David and Will form a truce. As they spend more time together, they realize that they have a lot in common despite their political views and enjoy each other’s company. Not defining their relationship, they continue to see each other and eventually begin having sex together. Will is not ready to come out to his family or the public so he insists that they keep their affair secret. Reluctantly, David agrees. He knows that Will is afraid of how his family will react and tries to explain that things are different now, that his father is more tolerant about things, but Will does not believe him. Will is particularly scared of the press because he doesn’t want to be under public scrutiny like he was when he was young. He’s not ready for all the implications, rumors, lack of privacy, etc., that public life entails. Finally, David becomes tired of being Will’s dirty little secret and insists that they go public. Will is afraid and tells David that he’s not willing to do that at this point and suggests that they take a break to figure things out. That is not what David wants, but if it’s what Will does, then he has little choice but to honor his wishes.
This story presents an important moral lesson about forgiveness and redemption. Will’s father has been a hardline Republican who disowned his son when he discovered he was gay. He shows a great deal of character when he proves that when he couldn’t change the world to his liking, he changes himself for the better, giving him and his son an opportunity to reunite and get things settled before it is too late. Although the writing was good, the pace seemed slow and drawn out. I had a difficult time getting attached to the characters, particularly Will. Since this is a spin-off series, I wonder if it would have been better to have first read the other books, in which Will and his friends were first introduced. Thank you, K. Evan and Brigham, for a great resolution.
Will Martin and his father have been alienated for ten years, since his father found out he was gay. Will is determined never to see him again until his mother calls with ominous news – his father has cancer and isn’t expected to live. She begs him to come home and help them take care of him. Also, she hopes that they can reconcile before his father dies. At first Will is adamant, telling her he will not come, but her pleading finally wins him over. Against his better judgement, and with the intention of never forgiving his father, Will goes home.
One of Will’s biggest surprises is that his father works closely with a Republican senator named David Mori, who also happens to be gay. Even before Will meets David, he is filled with disdain for the man he considers a traitor. How can a gay man be a Republican with everything they do to try to destroy the LGBTQ community’s rights? When they first meet, they get into an argument, without Will even letting David explain his views. Will doesn’t give David a fighting chance. He decides he doesn’t like him and it’s unlikely that he ever will. They can’t seem to agree on anything. He’s jealous of David’s good working relationship, especially with his own past relationship with his dad.
Will’s father continues to deteriorate, distressing the family. Even though they have a rocky start, because of Will’s insistence, David and Will form a truce. As they spend more time together, they realize that they have a lot in common despite their political views and enjoy each other’s company. Not defining their relationship, they continue to see each other and eventually begin having sex together. Will is not ready to come out to his family or the public so he insists that they keep their affair secret. Reluctantly, David agrees. He knows that Will is afraid of how his family will react and tries to explain that things are different now, that his father is more tolerant about things, but Will does not believe him. Will is particularly scared of the press because he doesn’t want to be under public scrutiny like he was when he was young. He’s not ready for all the implications, rumors, lack of privacy, etc., that public life entails. Finally, David becomes tired of being Will’s dirty little secret and insists that they go public. Will is afraid and tells David that he’s not willing to do that at this point and suggests that they take a break to figure things out. That is not what David wants, but if it’s what Will does, then he has little choice but to honor his wishes.
This story presents an important moral lesson about forgiveness and redemption. Will’s father has been a hardline Republican who disowned his son when he discovered he was gay. He shows a great deal of character when he proves that when he couldn’t change the world to his liking, he changes himself for the better, giving him and his son an opportunity to reunite and get things settled before it is too late. Although the writing was good, the pace seemed slow and drawn out. I had a difficult time getting attached to the characters, particularly Will. Since this is a spin-off series, I wonder if it would have been better to have first read the other books, in which Will and his friends were first introduced. Thank you, K. Evan and Brigham, for a great resolution.
February 12, 2019
As the first book in a new series by K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn, this is also a spin-off of another series collaboratively written by the pair.
Will Martin is a gay NYU professor and writer who's been estranged from his family for a decade after coming out. When he receives a call that his father, the Senator, is ill and he's needed at home, he decides to take the summer off and get reacquainted with his family.
David Mori has looked up to his mentor, Senator Martin, since he first entered the senate race and has become very close to his family. When he meets Will for the first time, he can't help but feel the static charge between them. After getting to know each other, it's obvious they lay on opposites sides of the political aisle, but is it too far to cross?
This story was so smartly written. I was thoroughly impressed by the ability to cover so much in the way of politics and platforms and the prejudices that go along with them.
I loved David's character. He had so much compassion and was so genuine and affirming. He brought so much to this story. Will's character had to grow on me. At first he seemed like a self-righteous brat, but he humbled himself and I really felt the connection between him and David.
I loved the second chance that Will had with his father and the role that David played getting him there. Everything just flowed so well and the pacing kept me wanting more.
I can't wait to read more of this series!
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
Will Martin is a gay NYU professor and writer who's been estranged from his family for a decade after coming out. When he receives a call that his father, the Senator, is ill and he's needed at home, he decides to take the summer off and get reacquainted with his family.
David Mori has looked up to his mentor, Senator Martin, since he first entered the senate race and has become very close to his family. When he meets Will for the first time, he can't help but feel the static charge between them. After getting to know each other, it's obvious they lay on opposites sides of the political aisle, but is it too far to cross?
This story was so smartly written. I was thoroughly impressed by the ability to cover so much in the way of politics and platforms and the prejudices that go along with them.
I loved David's character. He had so much compassion and was so genuine and affirming. He brought so much to this story. Will's character had to grow on me. At first he seemed like a self-righteous brat, but he humbled himself and I really felt the connection between him and David.
I loved the second chance that Will had with his father and the role that David played getting him there. Everything just flowed so well and the pacing kept me wanting more.
I can't wait to read more of this series!
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
September 22, 2018
4.5 stars!
Needless to say, I was excited when I found out K. Evan and Brigham were starting another series with the secondary characters from the Tidal Series and I was not disappointed!
The writing collaboration between K and Brigham flows perfectly from from one to the other. So much so, that when Will is in David’s “scenes” and vice versa you feel like they could be writing side by side.
Speaking of David, I adored him so so much. Even though he is a republican....Seriously, WHAT??? LOL We will let that slide because he is amazing. His heart and soul show so many amazing values. You can feel the nature of his embodiment in wanting the do right by the people. I adore his logic and the love he showed for The Martins and Will.
His and Will’s relationship was definitely a work in progress. The growth they both had in themselves and each other was beautiful.
Full disclosure here, I didn’t know if I could come to adore Will. First in the Tidal series how he acted out made me think “good riddens”, then for the first part of the book he acted like a brat. Don’t get me wrong he had reason to be upset and unhappy, but ugh. Not at David! I wanted to shake him to get him to wake up. Then all of a sudden, I wanted to hold him and hug him. He let David complete him. It was such a beautiful thing to read.
These two authors made me cry, not once but twice. The Speakeasy crew of guys are so amazing. I love them so freaking much. Riley and Carter are fantastic. It was so great to see them again and see what they are up to. I know we will see them again in future books!
Jesse! Gah! He is as fun as ever! *hearty eyes* I’ll leave it at that because I could go on and on about him. Last but definitely not least, Kyle. He is going to be so much fun, I just know it!
I don’t feel like you have to read the Tidal series first but I would, because it will only enhance the storyline for you. So check it out!
Needless to say, I was excited when I found out K. Evan and Brigham were starting another series with the secondary characters from the Tidal Series and I was not disappointed!
The writing collaboration between K and Brigham flows perfectly from from one to the other. So much so, that when Will is in David’s “scenes” and vice versa you feel like they could be writing side by side.
Speaking of David, I adored him so so much. Even though he is a republican....Seriously, WHAT??? LOL We will let that slide because he is amazing. His heart and soul show so many amazing values. You can feel the nature of his embodiment in wanting the do right by the people. I adore his logic and the love he showed for The Martins and Will.
His and Will’s relationship was definitely a work in progress. The growth they both had in themselves and each other was beautiful.
Full disclosure here, I didn’t know if I could come to adore Will. First in the Tidal series how he acted out made me think “good riddens”, then for the first part of the book he acted like a brat. Don’t get me wrong he had reason to be upset and unhappy, but ugh. Not at David! I wanted to shake him to get him to wake up. Then all of a sudden, I wanted to hold him and hug him. He let David complete him. It was such a beautiful thing to read.
These two authors made me cry, not once but twice. The Speakeasy crew of guys are so amazing. I love them so freaking much. Riley and Carter are fantastic. It was so great to see them again and see what they are up to. I know we will see them again in future books!
Jesse! Gah! He is as fun as ever! *hearty eyes* I’ll leave it at that because I could go on and on about him. Last but definitely not least, Kyle. He is going to be so much fun, I just know it!
I don’t feel like you have to read the Tidal series first but I would, because it will only enhance the storyline for you. So check it out!
September 24, 2018
When Will Martin gets an invitation to a new club called Under from his ex, Riley, he never expected to really enjoy himself or the company but he does. Upon receiving news that his father has been diagnosed with cancer he reluctantly returns to the family home to help his mother and sister care for him. David Mori has looked up to Senator Martin as a mentor and friend so when he learns of the senator's cancer diagnosis he wants to help. There's no denying the attraction between Will and David but will they let it become more? Can Will forgive his father before its too late?
I'm going to jump right out of the gate with this one by saying be sure you have a healthy supply of kleenex handy for this one. I'm glad we get to learn Will's story. When we met him in the author's Tidal duology, I can't say I really warmed to him but the deck was stacked against him as far as trying to find happiness with Riley Porter-Wright so I was excited to see his own journey to the HEA(if that's what he's destined for😉😉). I was really intrigued to see the inner thoughts of an openly gay, mixed race Republican, I can't speak from personal experience but I think the authors were probably pretty spot-on with some of the attitudes David faced.
As my mother's 24/7 caregiver for the past 20+ years I have to say I was a little saddened that it seemed like Will was making all the sacrifices. With a Twist may be Will and David's love story but I think it's more Will's journey of finding happiness with love, family, and friends. So on one hand it seems likely that Will would be doing all the life changes but if I was him, I would have a seed of resentment starting in me from doing so, but maybe that's just me and my Irish-Dutch-German stubbornness😉. I know David's not really in a position to make the same level of sacrifices at this time but I do believe he is the kind of person who will when the time comes, that time just wasn't within the pages of the story.
Now, having said that you are probably thinking that I didn't like the story. You could not be further from the truth. Oh no, I loved With a Twist(and look forward to more adventures and journeys in the Speakeasy series). Truth is that I was so pulled into Will's relationship with his dad that at times I forgot this was a love story between Will and David. David is the kind of politician that I think we all want speaking for us: he listens to his constituents and not just the party hullabaloo. Even though I may not have agreed with Will's level of sacrifice I do love that he grows and discovers that not everything is as we remember it to be, for a stubborn man he is open to learn(reluctantly at times). I don't think there's any doubt where the couple will end up but the journey getting there is what Twist is all about and for that journey you'll need to read this one for yourself, no spoilers from me😉.
Vaughn & Cole bring to life a horribly mismatched couple that couldn't be more perfect for each other. Shows us that it takes time and sometimes time isn't always on our side, it might seem cliche but "making the most of the time we have" is an important lesson we all need to be reminded about. With a Twist is a heartbreaking tale of words we can't take back, regrets because we're too stubborn to step first, and time lost. But its also a heartwarming tale of reaching out, discovering new friends, and making up for lost time. Simply put, this is a remarkably entertaining read that will leave you completely enthralled from cover to cover. Truth is, I think that despite my feelings on Will's sacrifices, finding myself so sucked in to the story and not wanting to say goodbye to Will and David says more to the authors' talents than anything I can put into words.
I'm going to jump right out of the gate with this one by saying be sure you have a healthy supply of kleenex handy for this one. I'm glad we get to learn Will's story. When we met him in the author's Tidal duology, I can't say I really warmed to him but the deck was stacked against him as far as trying to find happiness with Riley Porter-Wright so I was excited to see his own journey to the HEA(if that's what he's destined for😉😉). I was really intrigued to see the inner thoughts of an openly gay, mixed race Republican, I can't speak from personal experience but I think the authors were probably pretty spot-on with some of the attitudes David faced.
As my mother's 24/7 caregiver for the past 20+ years I have to say I was a little saddened that it seemed like Will was making all the sacrifices. With a Twist may be Will and David's love story but I think it's more Will's journey of finding happiness with love, family, and friends. So on one hand it seems likely that Will would be doing all the life changes but if I was him, I would have a seed of resentment starting in me from doing so, but maybe that's just me and my Irish-Dutch-German stubbornness😉. I know David's not really in a position to make the same level of sacrifices at this time but I do believe he is the kind of person who will when the time comes, that time just wasn't within the pages of the story.
Now, having said that you are probably thinking that I didn't like the story. You could not be further from the truth. Oh no, I loved With a Twist(and look forward to more adventures and journeys in the Speakeasy series). Truth is that I was so pulled into Will's relationship with his dad that at times I forgot this was a love story between Will and David. David is the kind of politician that I think we all want speaking for us: he listens to his constituents and not just the party hullabaloo. Even though I may not have agreed with Will's level of sacrifice I do love that he grows and discovers that not everything is as we remember it to be, for a stubborn man he is open to learn(reluctantly at times). I don't think there's any doubt where the couple will end up but the journey getting there is what Twist is all about and for that journey you'll need to read this one for yourself, no spoilers from me😉.
Vaughn & Cole bring to life a horribly mismatched couple that couldn't be more perfect for each other. Shows us that it takes time and sometimes time isn't always on our side, it might seem cliche but "making the most of the time we have" is an important lesson we all need to be reminded about. With a Twist is a heartbreaking tale of words we can't take back, regrets because we're too stubborn to step first, and time lost. But its also a heartwarming tale of reaching out, discovering new friends, and making up for lost time. Simply put, this is a remarkably entertaining read that will leave you completely enthralled from cover to cover. Truth is, I think that despite my feelings on Will's sacrifices, finding myself so sucked in to the story and not wanting to say goodbye to Will and David says more to the authors' talents than anything I can put into words.
April 30, 2020
Will is still a bit bruised after losing his partner. It wasn’t so much that he thought that he and Riley were forever… but it was the first time he had felt that way about a partner. Riley left when he was reunited with his best friend and ex… and really… Will couldn’t stand in the way of that kind of happiness. But he was still lonely and sunk himself into his work.
At the beginning of the novel, Riley invites Will out to a new Speakeasy. This is going to be the central pivot for all the characters in this series and I think that’s a great idea! I suspect that some of the characters that the reader meets at the speakeasy will be the future main characters in books! Something interesting to look forward to.
When Will finds out that his estranged father is dying of cancer… he returns home for the first time in years to be there for his mother and sister. What Will doesn’t expect is to meet his the republican senator that his father has taken under his wing… Senator David Mori. Will is surprised at first because David is Asian and .. gay. And being gay is what got Will disowned in the first place.
This book explores what it is like to try and reconcile with a family member who treated you horribly. Will and David get to know each other as Will learns more about his father. This relationship is still strained… but David is a conduit for Will to begin to see things about his father that he hadn’t seen before.
As the relationship between Will and David grows, they begin to cross the line from physical to emotional. This brings up a lot of warning signs for both men. Will has seen what politics has done to his family. He has watched his mother’s stress and he has watched his father’s policies with disgust and anger over the years. He’s not sure how David can be gay and a person of color and still be a Republican senator! As for David, he finds himself falling for Will but doesn’t want people to know about their relationship in case it doesn’t work out.
There’s a lot of conflict in this book regarding the lifestyles and choices of the two men. It was interesting to read their conversations and the infrequent full-on arguments they had. All the concerns and challenges they faced seemed very realistic to me and I enjoyed that.
My only criticism of this book was that it felt a bit long to me. There were some passages that I would definitely have edited or perhaps omitted. I really enjoyed the interactions between the main characters and I felt as though sometimes there was a bit too much dialogue when that author had already communicated their feelings through their actions. It’s just a personal preference but I’m putting it out there in case it’s something of interest to you in a book you choose.
This is a great story… I really love David’s character. There is a lot in his past that has led him to where he is… and Will is sure something he didn’t expect to happen! I liked seeing the way his story unfolded as the novel progressed.
I’m definitely on board for the rest of the series!
At the beginning of the novel, Riley invites Will out to a new Speakeasy. This is going to be the central pivot for all the characters in this series and I think that’s a great idea! I suspect that some of the characters that the reader meets at the speakeasy will be the future main characters in books! Something interesting to look forward to.
When Will finds out that his estranged father is dying of cancer… he returns home for the first time in years to be there for his mother and sister. What Will doesn’t expect is to meet his the republican senator that his father has taken under his wing… Senator David Mori. Will is surprised at first because David is Asian and .. gay. And being gay is what got Will disowned in the first place.
This book explores what it is like to try and reconcile with a family member who treated you horribly. Will and David get to know each other as Will learns more about his father. This relationship is still strained… but David is a conduit for Will to begin to see things about his father that he hadn’t seen before.
As the relationship between Will and David grows, they begin to cross the line from physical to emotional. This brings up a lot of warning signs for both men. Will has seen what politics has done to his family. He has watched his mother’s stress and he has watched his father’s policies with disgust and anger over the years. He’s not sure how David can be gay and a person of color and still be a Republican senator! As for David, he finds himself falling for Will but doesn’t want people to know about their relationship in case it doesn’t work out.
There’s a lot of conflict in this book regarding the lifestyles and choices of the two men. It was interesting to read their conversations and the infrequent full-on arguments they had. All the concerns and challenges they faced seemed very realistic to me and I enjoyed that.
My only criticism of this book was that it felt a bit long to me. There were some passages that I would definitely have edited or perhaps omitted. I really enjoyed the interactions between the main characters and I felt as though sometimes there was a bit too much dialogue when that author had already communicated their feelings through their actions. It’s just a personal preference but I’m putting it out there in case it’s something of interest to you in a book you choose.
This is a great story… I really love David’s character. There is a lot in his past that has led him to where he is… and Will is sure something he didn’t expect to happen! I liked seeing the way his story unfolded as the novel progressed.
I’m definitely on board for the rest of the series!
September 23, 2018
What a wonderful story about finding love during a really rough point in your life and reconnecting with your family whom you had been estranged from for years. Both situations were handled with loving care of the characters. We first met Will Martin in K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn’s “Tidal Series” books. When his lover, Riley, got back together with the love of his life, Carter, Will is left alone and broken-hearted. When he gets the news that his father is ill, he ventures back to his hometown on Long Island to the family who disowned him when he was outed. While there, he meets David Mori, his father’s mentee in the state senate. They don’t have the most auspicious first meeting as Will’s emotions get the better of him.
I felt so bad for Will having to deal with his father’s anger and disappointment at a relatively young age. To be estranged from your parents for so long is sad. As a family historian, I have seen this happen way too often. So, I was so pleased when Will and his father were able to find some common ground again and reconcile their differences. Too many times, people never get that chance.
Not everything was sad and angsty in this story though. There were lots of fun times at the newly opened club, Under, with all the crazy characters we met in the original series, as well as some new people. Looking forward to reading all their stories, especially Jesse’s, which will be coming up next!
I felt so bad for Will having to deal with his father’s anger and disappointment at a relatively young age. To be estranged from your parents for so long is sad. As a family historian, I have seen this happen way too often. So, I was so pleased when Will and his father were able to find some common ground again and reconcile their differences. Too many times, people never get that chance.
Not everything was sad and angsty in this story though. There were lots of fun times at the newly opened club, Under, with all the crazy characters we met in the original series, as well as some new people. Looking forward to reading all their stories, especially Jesse’s, which will be coming up next!
July 19, 2019
After his ex-boyfriend, Riley, leaves him for Riley's best friend, Carter, Will threw himself into teaching at NYU and writing his books. When Riley invites him to a speakeasy, Will finally begins to heal. Then he learns of his estranged father's illness and Will returns to Long Island to see the man who disowned him when he came out. Sparks fly between Will and his father's mentee, Senator David Mori. David is both gay and mixed race and the two find themselves attracted, in spite of a rough beginning. When Will moves back to Long Island to help, the relationship deepens. But Will is not sure he wants to become involved with someone in politics, while David is not sure he should be having an affair with his mentor's son.
This was an incredible tale of two people coming from opposite viewpoints. Will acted liked an ass when they first met, assuming David's views were just like his father's. The result was a contentious relationship. Will made the first step at changing that by apologizing. They did keep their relationship a secret in the beginning but you could see that evolving as well. I loved how they fell in love and compromised to ensure a healthy relationship. I know there are more books in this series and it will be fun to visit with them later.
This was an incredible tale of two people coming from opposite viewpoints. Will acted liked an ass when they first met, assuming David's views were just like his father's. The result was a contentious relationship. Will made the first step at changing that by apologizing. They did keep their relationship a secret in the beginning but you could see that evolving as well. I loved how they fell in love and compromised to ensure a healthy relationship. I know there are more books in this series and it will be fun to visit with them later.
March 14, 2019
I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this story as politics bore the living daylights out of me but it was quite enjoyable and while there was some political talks it wasn’t a major focus in the story.
Wills father kicked him out years before and never showed him any respect despite becoming a well respected lecturer. But as soon as his father falls ill it’s like he should forget his past and all the bad things his family have done to him and come home to look after the family. He agreed begrudgingly to come for the summer and see how he fairs out that is until he meets David.
David works for Wills father and he can understand he pain and suffering that will is going through as he lost his own parents but he only sees the new improved version of his father not the mean one that will remembers from childhood. But when these too get together there passion is undeniable.
Will passion be enough to keep them together though or has too much happened that it will pool before it even gets off the ground.
I haven’t read the series before that these guys where in but after reading this I’m definitely going to go have a look.
Wills father kicked him out years before and never showed him any respect despite becoming a well respected lecturer. But as soon as his father falls ill it’s like he should forget his past and all the bad things his family have done to him and come home to look after the family. He agreed begrudgingly to come for the summer and see how he fairs out that is until he meets David.
David works for Wills father and he can understand he pain and suffering that will is going through as he lost his own parents but he only sees the new improved version of his father not the mean one that will remembers from childhood. But when these too get together there passion is undeniable.
Will passion be enough to keep them together though or has too much happened that it will pool before it even gets off the ground.
I haven’t read the series before that these guys where in but after reading this I’m definitely going to go have a look.
October 8, 2018
David Mori is an Asian American, Gay, Republican senator. That's a lot to handle in a character. He appears to be a good and decent person. But, he's a republican.
Will is the gay son of a republican senator. He has been estranged from his father for many years because his father does not condone his lifestyle. Will is called home when he learns his father is dying, and that is where he meet's David. He's immediately attracted to David, however, he cannot resolve the fact that David is gay, a republican senator AND his father seems to be ok with that.
In this story, Will learns who his father truly is, and he learns to forgive. David and Will are not an immediate relationship. It takes time for them to develop that connection. For me, this book was ok I liked it. At times, I did not like David...at times I did not like Will. But, in the end, I felt that the story was a decent read, the character's were likable for the most part and the storyline, in this day in age, was pretty fitting.
Will is the gay son of a republican senator. He has been estranged from his father for many years because his father does not condone his lifestyle. Will is called home when he learns his father is dying, and that is where he meet's David. He's immediately attracted to David, however, he cannot resolve the fact that David is gay, a republican senator AND his father seems to be ok with that.
In this story, Will learns who his father truly is, and he learns to forgive. David and Will are not an immediate relationship. It takes time for them to develop that connection. For me, this book was ok I liked it. At times, I did not like David...at times I did not like Will. But, in the end, I felt that the story was a decent read, the character's were likable for the most part and the storyline, in this day in age, was pretty fitting.
September 25, 2018
I was so excited to read this book. I loved Will in the Wake series and was so excited to see where his story would go. K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn have written a great story. What we learned about Will's story from the Wake series was so sad. He was estranged from his family and hadn't had much luck in love. In With a Twist, we get to learn about his family as he returns to his family home to help his mother and sister care for his father. Will learns a lot about himself and discovers his father may have changed since they last saw each other. While helping his family, Will is introduced to Senator David Mori. Though at first Will struggles with the difficulties of returning home, he befriends David who helps him come realize things and people can change. I love the relationship that develops between David and Will. This is a great story that had me feeling so many different emotions.
September 21, 2018
This book is so satisfying; it's like meeting up with old friends and some new ones!
Will Martin is a writer and a teacher at NYU whose Senator father shut him out when he found out Will was gay. When he's called to return to the family home on Long Island due to his father's failing health, he agrees, but not without some trepidation. While there, he becomes intrigued by David Mori, a Republican Senator who considers David's father his mentor.
The story of how they grow from friends to lovers and more is remarkable and gratifying. The cast of friends and family will tug at any reader's heart and leave them wanting more. (I'm looking at you, Jesse Murtaugh.) All in all, With a Twist is an exceptional read, and is highly recommended.
Will Martin is a writer and a teacher at NYU whose Senator father shut him out when he found out Will was gay. When he's called to return to the family home on Long Island due to his father's failing health, he agrees, but not without some trepidation. While there, he becomes intrigued by David Mori, a Republican Senator who considers David's father his mentor.
The story of how they grow from friends to lovers and more is remarkable and gratifying. The cast of friends and family will tug at any reader's heart and leave them wanting more. (I'm looking at you, Jesse Murtaugh.) All in all, With a Twist is an exceptional read, and is highly recommended.
July 24, 2019
Political views, party affiliation, social status, life expectations have a strong impact on the lives of Will and David, on their families and on their relationship. I really like the fact that these two men shared enough values to find a common ground, accept the fact that they may disagree on certain issues, and build their relationship on trust, admiration and respect.
This is a book where the MCs have long dialogues but do not expect urban language but rather reasonings in line with their education and position. And I must say, it was refreshing to read that even men belonging to the upper class could be overwhelmed by passion.
The interaction with the friends of the speakeasy are important to the development of the story and I’m looking forward to continue reading this series.
This is a book where the MCs have long dialogues but do not expect urban language but rather reasonings in line with their education and position. And I must say, it was refreshing to read that even men belonging to the upper class could be overwhelmed by passion.
The interaction with the friends of the speakeasy are important to the development of the story and I’m looking forward to continue reading this series.
April 17, 2020
With a Twist is an excellent story by K Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn.
The premise of this story is great, and it definitely delivered on being a fun and interesting story. I love the writing, the story and the characters.
There's an emphasis on politics, as Will and David differ in their political views. Will's never agreed with his dad and now he's falling for a constituent of his father.
Their feelings and strong and the attraction is magnetic.
In addition to their struggles with their own issues, they also have to deal with family health issues, and the issues involved with being under public scrutiny.
With A Twist is a beautiful story of reconciliation, compromises and the true strength of love.
The premise of this story is great, and it definitely delivered on being a fun and interesting story. I love the writing, the story and the characters.
There's an emphasis on politics, as Will and David differ in their political views. Will's never agreed with his dad and now he's falling for a constituent of his father.
Their feelings and strong and the attraction is magnetic.
In addition to their struggles with their own issues, they also have to deal with family health issues, and the issues involved with being under public scrutiny.
With A Twist is a beautiful story of reconciliation, compromises and the true strength of love.
July 25, 2020
Really really good
There's a great cast of characters in this book. I haven't read Riley and Carter's story but I didn't feel like I was missing anything by skipping it. I actually preferred having no preconceived notions about Will. I liked seeing him on his own instead of as the guy standing between Riley and Carter. I felt bad that he was forced to return home to help his mother and sister with his estranged dad. Not a very comfortable situation to be in. I'm glad that he was able repair his relationship with his dad before it was too late. I liked him and David together and I really loved seeing him find a place with Riley, Carter and their friends. I liked this group of guys a lot.
There's a great cast of characters in this book. I haven't read Riley and Carter's story but I didn't feel like I was missing anything by skipping it. I actually preferred having no preconceived notions about Will. I liked seeing him on his own instead of as the guy standing between Riley and Carter. I felt bad that he was forced to return home to help his mother and sister with his estranged dad. Not a very comfortable situation to be in. I'm glad that he was able repair his relationship with his dad before it was too late. I liked him and David together and I really loved seeing him find a place with Riley, Carter and their friends. I liked this group of guys a lot.
January 18, 2019
I was wondering how Will could cope after Riley so now I know..
Such a bittersweet story of two men who found each other, it was difficult and awkward for them both until they could talk, then came change.
Will Martin is an author and teachers teaches at NYU .
David Nori is Republican Senator .
Their story is wonderful how they satisfy each other just by being together..
It took time but......
The Speakeasy it a very important place for the guys to meet and to get to know each other more.
Jesse Murtaugh and Kyle so interested in their lives .. and their cocktail mixing..
So great to see Riley and Carter..
Such a bittersweet story of two men who found each other, it was difficult and awkward for them both until they could talk, then came change.
Will Martin is an author and teachers teaches at NYU .
David Nori is Republican Senator .
Their story is wonderful how they satisfy each other just by being together..
It took time but......
The Speakeasy it a very important place for the guys to meet and to get to know each other more.
Jesse Murtaugh and Kyle so interested in their lives .. and their cocktail mixing..
So great to see Riley and Carter..
May 16, 2020
Change yourself and change the world
“I’d rather be in your life and fight with you every day than lose you for good.” I can relate to this feeling. Will and David may not always see eye to eye but I know they’ll always begin and end each day with love. They know how to fight for what matters and more importantly they know how to fight to keep it. A story that’s heavy on the emotions but one that’s so uplifting too. It’s full of hope, family of all kinds, love, forgiveness and change. Plus it has a cool speakeasy with tasty drinks that I’d love to visit.
“I’d rather be in your life and fight with you every day than lose you for good.” I can relate to this feeling. Will and David may not always see eye to eye but I know they’ll always begin and end each day with love. They know how to fight for what matters and more importantly they know how to fight to keep it. A story that’s heavy on the emotions but one that’s so uplifting too. It’s full of hope, family of all kinds, love, forgiveness and change. Plus it has a cool speakeasy with tasty drinks that I’d love to visit.
June 14, 2020
This story surprised me with the realism. This is my first time reading anything by either author, I feel they did a great job. Will is a writer and NYU professor. He is estranged from his family because he is gay. David’s mentor is Will’s father, senator Martin. He feels an instant attraction to Will. I’m not a big fan of politics and how it can affect lives, but the authors did a good job with it. It was a really good story, would recommend.
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions
March 18, 2019
With a Twist is the first book in The Speakeasy series by K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn. Will and David are great characters... I love how they interact and their chemistry together. Their story was interesting.. well written, great storyline that delivers on the feels and characters that make you care. I loved every page. I am anxious to read more from the series.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
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