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Young Spades #2
Facing the Beat
Lead guitarist for the indie rock band Young Spades, Liam Wilson has a shot at big city fortune--or he would, if he wasn’t too busy licking his wounds to admit the real reason his girlfriend left him. Determined to stay single, Liam has no time for anything--or anyone--new.
Jack Newton is used to playing the field. A talented photographer, he knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. There's just one hitch: when an enigmatic guitar player wanders in front of his lens, Jack feels the tug of a chord he has never heard before.
Jack Newton is used to playing the field. A talented photographer, he knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. There's just one hitch: when an enigmatic guitar player wanders in front of his lens, Jack feels the tug of a chord he has never heard before.
- GenresRomanceM M Romance
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2018
9 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Riley Long
39 books72 followersRiley lives in central Virginia with her husband, son, and very silly dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 1, 2018
What's not to like? Liam is the guitarist in a band, who's straight and single. Jack, a photographer, is taken to a Young Spades show by his roommate and can't stop staring at and taking pictures of the guitarist. When he introduces himself and offers Liam a drink, Liam, of course says, 'I'm not gay.'
And who doesn't love a line like that?
But Jack knows he was checking him out. So, being the persistent bugger that he is, he gives Liam his number and makes Liam promise to text him. Let the romance ensue... There were a few bumps in the road, but the story progressed at a good pace and was fun and light.
Honestly, I loved both Liam and Jack. They were so sweet to each other and despite the whole 'I don't like guys' act, Jack was so careful with him. It was refreshing.
I loved Liam's friendship with Trick, his band mate. He was open and honest and gave him great insight and help and I laughed so many times at his expressions/answers to Liam's embarrassment/questions.
Jack's attitude of *I want everything, but I'll go at your pace, but hurry...* was so fun. His character cared so much and so deeply.
Honestly, this was a great first time gay relationship book. I just really enjoyed it all.
And who doesn't love a line like that?
But Jack knows he was checking him out. So, being the persistent bugger that he is, he gives Liam his number and makes Liam promise to text him. Let the romance ensue... There were a few bumps in the road, but the story progressed at a good pace and was fun and light.
Honestly, I loved both Liam and Jack. They were so sweet to each other and despite the whole 'I don't like guys' act, Jack was so careful with him. It was refreshing.
I loved Liam's friendship with Trick, his band mate. He was open and honest and gave him great insight and help and I laughed so many times at his expressions/answers to Liam's embarrassment/questions.
Jack's attitude of *I want everything, but I'll go at your pace, but hurry...* was so fun. His character cared so much and so deeply.
Honestly, this was a great first time gay relationship book. I just really enjoyed it all.
October 2, 2018
3.5 stars rounded to 4
Facing the Beat is another Young Spades novel, focusing on lead guitarist Liam and new character Jack. In the previous book, Liam was decidedly straight. In this one, he meets Jack at one of his concerts and is intrigued when Jack tries to pick him up but tells Jack “I’m not gay”. Jack isn’t deterred (it’s like love at first sight for him) and his persistence eventually pays off. Gay-for-you tends to be quite the interesting trope. This book was a bit better than the last, particularly in the beginning with the build-up of “will he or won’t he” for Liam to go out/have sex/be in a relationship with Jack. But once Liam goes for it, the book falls flat.
After Liam and Jack are boyfriends, the conflict in the book turns weird. The author sets it up where Liam’s ex-girlfriend and high school sweetheart re-enters the picture and seems to want to get Liam back, despite being pregnant by someone else. While Liam’s need to take care of his ex causes disgruntled feelings for Jack, the conflict peaks when I think Liam’s ex drugged him to break up Liam and Jack so that Liam would be her baby daddy. Yeah, that sentence was just about as bad as the plot point… And what makes me most weirded out is there was no real resolution to this at all. The author strongly implied something untoward happened to Liam (not sexually) during that night where Courtney tried to break him and Jack up, and it was completely disregarded. It almost seemed like it was irrelevant as long as Jack and Liam got back together.
It was good to see Shane and Ari still going strong. I’m hoping the next book is about Trick, who seems to be the most interesting of the Young Spades.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement.***
Facing the Beat is another Young Spades novel, focusing on lead guitarist Liam and new character Jack. In the previous book, Liam was decidedly straight. In this one, he meets Jack at one of his concerts and is intrigued when Jack tries to pick him up but tells Jack “I’m not gay”. Jack isn’t deterred (it’s like love at first sight for him) and his persistence eventually pays off. Gay-for-you tends to be quite the interesting trope. This book was a bit better than the last, particularly in the beginning with the build-up of “will he or won’t he” for Liam to go out/have sex/be in a relationship with Jack. But once Liam goes for it, the book falls flat.
After Liam and Jack are boyfriends, the conflict in the book turns weird. The author sets it up where Liam’s ex-girlfriend and high school sweetheart re-enters the picture and seems to want to get Liam back, despite being pregnant by someone else. While Liam’s need to take care of his ex causes disgruntled feelings for Jack, the conflict peaks when I think Liam’s ex drugged him to break up Liam and Jack so that Liam would be her baby daddy. Yeah, that sentence was just about as bad as the plot point… And what makes me most weirded out is there was no real resolution to this at all. The author strongly implied something untoward happened to Liam (not sexually) during that night where Courtney tried to break him and Jack up, and it was completely disregarded. It almost seemed like it was irrelevant as long as Jack and Liam got back together.
It was good to see Shane and Ari still going strong. I’m hoping the next book is about Trick, who seems to be the most interesting of the Young Spades.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement.***
September 30, 2018
Review by: Jennifer
(4 stars)
The second in the Young Spades series, and I loved this plot. GFY is one of my fav tropes and this was done very nicely. Liam is the lead guitarist for the band and Ari's roommate. Up to this point, he has been all about the band, video games, getting laid (by chicks) and school; and pretty much in that order. When Jack makes a point to say hello after one of the shows, Liam is a bit shocked to find himself a bit interested in Jack. That would make no sense, as he has always been about the ladies. When Jack continues to appear and confuse Liam even more, Liam has to figure out just what it is about Jack that is making him take interest. Jack is a bit pushy but Liam decides to see just where this can go... but when his ex-girlfriend shows up out of the blue, will Liam choose to go back to what he is familiar with or will he still be willing to see where he and Jack can go?
This was a good read with some really good drama. Loved the naughty bits! Jack and Liam get 4 stars.
(4 stars)
The second in the Young Spades series, and I loved this plot. GFY is one of my fav tropes and this was done very nicely. Liam is the lead guitarist for the band and Ari's roommate. Up to this point, he has been all about the band, video games, getting laid (by chicks) and school; and pretty much in that order. When Jack makes a point to say hello after one of the shows, Liam is a bit shocked to find himself a bit interested in Jack. That would make no sense, as he has always been about the ladies. When Jack continues to appear and confuse Liam even more, Liam has to figure out just what it is about Jack that is making him take interest. Jack is a bit pushy but Liam decides to see just where this can go... but when his ex-girlfriend shows up out of the blue, will Liam choose to go back to what he is familiar with or will he still be willing to see where he and Jack can go?
This was a good read with some really good drama. Loved the naughty bits! Jack and Liam get 4 stars.
October 3, 2018
Liam is a guitarist and straight. Jack is a photographer and definitely not straight. When Jack first spots Liam through his camera lens he wants him. When he approaches Liam and finds out he’s straight he does his best to convince him to go out with him. Liam repeatedly turns Jack down. However Jack is a very persistent person.
I liked their courtship, it was cute. Liam never stood a chance against Jack’s charms. I liked their give and take. The author created a lot of tension with numerous interruptions to their first time together.
Up to this point I thought the story was great but the drama with Liam’s ex girlfriend really pulled me out of the story. Hoping this was the last we see of her in the series. Anyway, I’ll still give it 4 Stars just because I really liked these guys.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
I liked their courtship, it was cute. Liam never stood a chance against Jack’s charms. I liked their give and take. The author created a lot of tension with numerous interruptions to their first time together.
Up to this point I thought the story was great but the drama with Liam’s ex girlfriend really pulled me out of the story. Hoping this was the last we see of her in the series. Anyway, I’ll still give it 4 Stars just because I really liked these guys.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
October 8, 2018
OK so I read the first one and the second out of order not smart? Maybe. But once I finished or almost finished Facing the Beat I knew I needed to go back and read book one. When I read the Synopsis I didn’t think I would really like Ari and his man but seeing the two of them popping up around the story made me crave their Story.
Liam is the Sexy guitarist who doesn’t really (from my reading) know how he looks to other people. His realization that he is attracted to Jack scares him and Makes him question everything he thought he knew about his Sexuality. I loved how Riley went through his thoughts about what he was feeling. His confusion is something a lot of people can relate to especially around his age group and older people as well. Going from KNOWING you’re Straight one day to somehow realizing you don’t KNOW anything.
Jack is Cute and determined which I loved. Even when he isn’t as confident as he seems to be to Liam. I love that he love’s photography since it is something I enjoy at times as well (Not so good at it, but I like it)
Even though it’s set in collage I’m Glad there wasn’t a lot SET in the school but in the dorms and Jack’s apartment and the gig’s the band went too.
This was a slightly emotional story at times with thankfully no angst (to me) and sexy the rest of the time. I think this was my first Riley Long book and I can’t wait to continue on with the rest of them!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Liam is the Sexy guitarist who doesn’t really (from my reading) know how he looks to other people. His realization that he is attracted to Jack scares him and Makes him question everything he thought he knew about his Sexuality. I loved how Riley went through his thoughts about what he was feeling. His confusion is something a lot of people can relate to especially around his age group and older people as well. Going from KNOWING you’re Straight one day to somehow realizing you don’t KNOW anything.
Jack is Cute and determined which I loved. Even when he isn’t as confident as he seems to be to Liam. I love that he love’s photography since it is something I enjoy at times as well (Not so good at it, but I like it)
Even though it’s set in collage I’m Glad there wasn’t a lot SET in the school but in the dorms and Jack’s apartment and the gig’s the band went too.
This was a slightly emotional story at times with thankfully no angst (to me) and sexy the rest of the time. I think this was my first Riley Long book and I can’t wait to continue on with the rest of them!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
September 29, 2018
I really enjoyed it. I loved Liam and Jack, they are great characters and their story was great. For Jack it was list at first sight when he saw Liam on stage playing the guitar but it was a totally different story for Liam. He’s straight, so when Jack asked him out he was shocked.
This is a great book and I loved the way the author told her story. I’m really liking this series and falling in love with all of its characters.
This is a great book and I loved the way the author told her story. I’m really liking this series and falling in love with all of its characters.
October 1, 2018
This is a beautiful book, about finding yourself and your love. Such a great book, as in all of us we muck up and don't realize until its to late. But is it. Liam and Jack have taken us a on amazing journey that is well worth taking. This is a brilliant book that I can't say enough great things about it is a must have book. Grab it immediately you won't regret it. I truly hope we get a book about Trick.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2018
This is the second book in the series and I hope you start with Shane and Ari’s book first, Pulling Strings.
Liam and Jack’s story was great. Jack fall at first sight. An Liam is just shocked. For a straight guy he’s just confused. It’s was beautiful to see how Liam worked through not being all that straight. Jack helping him along the way. It was a sweet heartfelt story. Now I just need Trick’s book.
Liam and Jack’s story was great. Jack fall at first sight. An Liam is just shocked. For a straight guy he’s just confused. It’s was beautiful to see how Liam worked through not being all that straight. Jack helping him along the way. It was a sweet heartfelt story. Now I just need Trick’s book.
October 3, 2018
He should be up to have a big shot of something new. He will not admit the real reason his girlfriend left him. He is too have a photo shoot and the person taking them see something they want. Can they have a meeting of the mind? See if they can
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 4, 2018
I loved Liam and Jack!! Liam meets Jack and is decidedly interested. Jack senses the interest and maneuvers himself into Liam's heart. They way these two interacted was so great!! Such great chemistry, I'm stealing them both for the harem. Riley has a great writing style and I can't wait to read more!!
October 1, 2018
What a beautifully written story of acceptance and growing up. I loved the why put a name to what we are and just enjoy what we have philosophy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 2, 2018
I Loved Liam and Jack. I Loved the characters and the story was beautifully written.
I Highly Recommend all Readers to read this series now. All stories are amazing in this series. You will not be able to put it down.
I Highly Recommend all Readers to read this series now. All stories are amazing in this series. You will not be able to put it down.
October 1, 2018
Facing the Beat is a GFY story, and it's written pretty well!
Liam is the lead guitarist in the band Young Spades and Ari's roommate. He loves the ladies and the ladies love him. But when he meets Jack, he's surprised how his body reacts. But he is straight, isn't he?
It was an enjoyable read and very steamy!
-Stina, A Woman & Her Books.
Liam is the lead guitarist in the band Young Spades and Ari's roommate. He loves the ladies and the ladies love him. But when he meets Jack, he's surprised how his body reacts. But he is straight, isn't he?
It was an enjoyable read and very steamy!
-Stina, A Woman & Her Books.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews