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Truth
Ranger Xeno Reed enlisted after running from his high school crush, but now they are reunited in an active war zone, and that one kiss ten years ago comes back to haunt him.
CIA Operative Houston Banks had his heart broken ten years ago, and now he's been sent to Iraq, he's scared it'll happen all over again, because Xeno's still that big, buff jock, and Houston? Well, he's even more of a nerd these days.
If Xeno and Houston can navigate the mountains of northern Iraq together, maybe they can find their way to love along the way. So long as they both have the courage to speak the truth...
Truth is a 16,000 word novella featuring a broken-hearted linguist, a cool and collected Ranger, and a whole lot of sand in places it shouldn't go.
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A Free Read through Insta-Freebee from August 28th to September 4th together with other authors ->
https://claims.instafreebie.com/gg/MO...
CIA Operative Houston Banks had his heart broken ten years ago, and now he's been sent to Iraq, he's scared it'll happen all over again, because Xeno's still that big, buff jock, and Houston? Well, he's even more of a nerd these days.
If Xeno and Houston can navigate the mountains of northern Iraq together, maybe they can find their way to love along the way. So long as they both have the courage to speak the truth...
Truth is a 16,000 word novella featuring a broken-hearted linguist, a cool and collected Ranger, and a whole lot of sand in places it shouldn't go.
-----------------------------
A Free Read through Insta-Freebee from August 28th to September 4th together with other authors ->
https://claims.instafreebie.com/gg/MO...
64 pages, ebook
First published August 28, 2018
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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September 11, 2018DNF en el 10%, me estaba pareciendo poco creíble, ridículo y aburrido.
September 18, 2018
3 Stars
I've been mulling on this one all day as I'm not sure how to rate this one.
It was an enjoyable second chance read that is well written and makes me want to try the author's other works for the quality of the writing.
It's just that not much happens, so I spent a lot of the story just waiting for something to happen, it's left me with a bit of a blah feeling and is making it hard for me to rate.
So while it was enjoyable, quick read, it's not a story I'd be compelled to read again
I've been mulling on this one all day as I'm not sure how to rate this one.
It was an enjoyable second chance read that is well written and makes me want to try the author's other works for the quality of the writing.
It's just that not much happens, so I spent a lot of the story just waiting for something to happen, it's left me with a bit of a blah feeling and is making it hard for me to rate.
So while it was enjoyable, quick read, it's not a story I'd be compelled to read again
September 2, 2018
✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ 4-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩
> > Judging a Book by its Cover < <
The cover did not, in any way, match the story but the overall composition was eye-catching. The synopsis is what grabbed me though.
> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person
CIA agent, Houston, and Army Ranger, Xeno, are reunited after 10 years during a mission in the Middle East, giving them a second chance at first love.
It was a strong enough plot with likable characters. I wish the author would have had a proofreader or editor go through it again before releasing it because nothing takes you out of a story like calling your character the wrong name (Hunter as opposed to Houston in this case).
Predictability was low. The conclusion was sudden and barely provided an implied HFN.
Still, it was a good read that flowed nicely.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.2 ~ Stars: 4
==========================
⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from Instafreebie and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐
> > Judging a Book by its Cover < <
The cover did not, in any way, match the story but the overall composition was eye-catching. The synopsis is what grabbed me though.
> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person
CIA agent, Houston, and Army Ranger, Xeno, are reunited after 10 years during a mission in the Middle East, giving them a second chance at first love.
It was a strong enough plot with likable characters. I wish the author would have had a proofreader or editor go through it again before releasing it because nothing takes you out of a story like calling your character the wrong name (Hunter as opposed to Houston in this case).
Predictability was low. The conclusion was sudden and barely provided an implied HFN.
Still, it was a good read that flowed nicely.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.2 ~ Stars: 4
==========================
⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from Instafreebie and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐
September 5, 2018
New to me author. This was a mm contemporary novella set in Iraq with American soldiers. I’ll read more from this author.
September 26, 2018
Great little short read. No drama, no angst, no BS. I like that in my books.
October 26, 2018
Meh. Not bad, but just not compelling. Nothing really happens, the ~forgiveness~ happens so easily that it made it hard to care much about the characters, and the drama at the end was stupid and unrealistic.
September 27, 2018
Really enjoyed this! A second chance romance with a bit of action and plenty of working things out.
Xeno ran away after a kiss in his hometown and became a Ranger. Afraid that the best kiss he'd ever had, a kiss with a man, with disown him from his family, he only saw the need to run. Ten years later Xeno is in Iraq doing his job, which sometimes means matching up with civilian operators- one who turns out to be Houston, the man that kissed him. All the old feelings come racing back and Xeno has to decide what he's going to do about it.
Despite being ten years away from his family Xeno still doesn't think like someone independent. He isn't out and clearly hasn't had many relationships, the idea of his family disowning him still a fear. It isn't because of some deep love of his family either, his thoughts are more of how he would be in trouble with where to live and what to do for money. But honestly, he has ten years of working and saving money- he needs to reorganize his thinking. And that is a big part of the whole thing. Xeno comes to the absolute realization that he wants Houston and needs to think about what to do for a future with that in mind.
Houston recognizes that Xeno ran scared and that there were family issues int he way. But at the same time he knows that Xeno did run like a coward and he isn't ready for that to happen again. The ball is in Xeno's court but it requires a bit of proof of action! Houston is a good guy and he wants something, but he is willing to make sure that he is treated right, a man to fight for. Houston keeps it fun and fresh while still putting his heart out there.
A great second chance short with lots of love and hope!
Xeno ran away after a kiss in his hometown and became a Ranger. Afraid that the best kiss he'd ever had, a kiss with a man, with disown him from his family, he only saw the need to run. Ten years later Xeno is in Iraq doing his job, which sometimes means matching up with civilian operators- one who turns out to be Houston, the man that kissed him. All the old feelings come racing back and Xeno has to decide what he's going to do about it.
Despite being ten years away from his family Xeno still doesn't think like someone independent. He isn't out and clearly hasn't had many relationships, the idea of his family disowning him still a fear. It isn't because of some deep love of his family either, his thoughts are more of how he would be in trouble with where to live and what to do for money. But honestly, he has ten years of working and saving money- he needs to reorganize his thinking. And that is a big part of the whole thing. Xeno comes to the absolute realization that he wants Houston and needs to think about what to do for a future with that in mind.
Houston recognizes that Xeno ran scared and that there were family issues int he way. But at the same time he knows that Xeno did run like a coward and he isn't ready for that to happen again. The ball is in Xeno's court but it requires a bit of proof of action! Houston is a good guy and he wants something, but he is willing to make sure that he is treated right, a man to fight for. Houston keeps it fun and fresh while still putting his heart out there.
A great second chance short with lots of love and hope!
August 30, 2018
This was an ok story for me, but I don't really enjoy second chance romance for some reason.
August 30, 2018
The right book if you want something light without much plot.
September 7, 2018
This was a really cute story. The couple had great chemistry and the setting was surprisingly different from what I usually read. What a pleasant surprise.
September 8, 2018
I love second chance romances
September 9, 2018
The tension Max Hawthorn built in such a short story was amazing. I think I found a new favorite m/m romance author.
October 2, 2018
Loved this story story about Xeno and Houston. They knew each other in high school and Xeno ran after a kiss. Now they have a second chance, but can love work out when fighting a war?
September 4, 2018
Okay, easy, quick lunch break read, second chance amidst a war zone.
I was a little sceptical about the ease of the relationship towards the end - especially around the powers that be. The page count didn't allow for too much, so suspend your reality here.
Finishes on a HFN.
I was a little sceptical about the ease of the relationship towards the end - especially around the powers that be. The page count didn't allow for too much, so suspend your reality here.
Finishes on a HFN.
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September 8, 2018DNF
Short story that I got on Instafreebie app as The MM Back to School Free Short Story Giveaway.
Short story that I got on Instafreebie app as The MM Back to School Free Short Story Giveaway.
Read
April 13, 2019review to follow
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews