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Sweet Beginnings
When Harley Elliott returns to the small suburb of Portland he grew up in, he isn’t expecting much to have changed. He suspects the coffee will be more expensive, and there may be a few more hipsters lurking around, but overall, he figures it will still be Portland. That’s exactly what he wants as he figures out the next steps in his life after the military.
Raymond Benoit left St. George, Utah and didn’t plan to look back. His family had essentially abandoned him to an abusive uncle after childhood mistakes. When he finally escapes, he winds up in Portland with no money, an impounded truck and a hungry dog. A strange woman takes him in and gets him a job, and everything is going just fine…until Ray falls hard and fast for the woman’s grumpy son.
Harley and Ray now have to navigate around Ray’s inexperience and hang-ups, and dysfunctional family dynamics. Can they overcome the many obstacles before them and find true love? Or are they facing an uphill battle that’s not worth the fight?
Please Note: This book contains adult language & steamy adult activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Novel, approx. 30,000 words in length. HEA (happy ever after ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger." Themes include: First time, Pacific Northwest, Portland, military, age difference, dogs
Raymond Benoit left St. George, Utah and didn’t plan to look back. His family had essentially abandoned him to an abusive uncle after childhood mistakes. When he finally escapes, he winds up in Portland with no money, an impounded truck and a hungry dog. A strange woman takes him in and gets him a job, and everything is going just fine…until Ray falls hard and fast for the woman’s grumpy son.
Harley and Ray now have to navigate around Ray’s inexperience and hang-ups, and dysfunctional family dynamics. Can they overcome the many obstacles before them and find true love? Or are they facing an uphill battle that’s not worth the fight?
Please Note: This book contains adult language & steamy adult activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Novel, approx. 30,000 words in length. HEA (happy ever after ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger." Themes include: First time, Pacific Northwest, Portland, military, age difference, dogs
- GenresM M Romance
122 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2018
43 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Max Hudson
110 books89 followersMax Hudson is a young man who enjoys writing steamy m/m romance novels. Join his insiders club here to get updates about his new releases:
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 15, 2018
**** Big/small, older/younger, and all the sexiness a romance should have !
This romance starts off sweet and turns into a thriller/mystery later on.
We get enough background to understand our men, and I liked all of the characters.
Ray, left Mississippi when his folks found out he was gay,
then he had left St. George, Utah when he escaped from his crude Uncle. He was homeless with no money and his dog, when a stranger offered to help. Lydia gave him a job walking the dogs and he got work at a coffee shop. Life was looking up.
Two months later, Harley, Lydia's son, just left the military and came home
to start over with his life. He discovers two things right away; Lydia owns a edible pot company and she has a stranger living with her.
Things move on quickly, as the two gay men are attracted to each other. Harley has had experience, but Ray has never experienced M/M sex, so we get to see that happen later, also.
The wrench in their happiness was threats made to Lydia and her business, which escalated.
So, the mystery and violence takes over.
We get a HFN and a terrific epilogue. ENJOY !
=====
This romance starts off sweet and turns into a thriller/mystery later on.
We get enough background to understand our men, and I liked all of the characters.
Ray, left Mississippi when his folks found out he was gay,
then he had left St. George, Utah when he escaped from his crude Uncle. He was homeless with no money and his dog, when a stranger offered to help. Lydia gave him a job walking the dogs and he got work at a coffee shop. Life was looking up.
Two months later, Harley, Lydia's son, just left the military and came home
to start over with his life. He discovers two things right away; Lydia owns a edible pot company and she has a stranger living with her.
Things move on quickly, as the two gay men are attracted to each other. Harley has had experience, but Ray has never experienced M/M sex, so we get to see that happen later, also.
The wrench in their happiness was threats made to Lydia and her business, which escalated.
So, the mystery and violence takes over.
We get a HFN and a terrific epilogue. ENJOY !
=====
September 30, 2018
This one was too short for me to feel a connection between the MCs. Bummer.
September 22, 2018
BOOK REVIEW – MAX HUDSON’s “SWEET BEGINNINGS”
In Max Hudson’s latest gay romantic novel “Sweet Beginnings” it does indeed begin sweetly – but doesn’t remain that way for long!
Max maintains his colourful descriptive writing style when introducing new characters; of inestimable help when a story line such as this includes many.
The two main characters, ruggedly handsome “Harley” returns to his hometown, and meets up with tall lanky blonde “Raymond” who he learns is boarding at the luxury penthouse apartment of “Lydia” - Harley’s mother.
Lydia is a case by herself, being the middle aged, still attractive, cook and owner of one of the city’s three major high end bakeries. Herein lays the crux of the story’s development – jealousy between these competing food outlets: Lydia’s received robotic automated messages to “close down the factory” or everything will be destroyed!
Strong willed inventive woman that she is, Lydia has incorporated recently decriminalised ‘marijuana’ into some of her luxury produce, giving her a decided edge over her competitors!
It’s partly due to both this factor and the attraction that her son, the mature ex-army officer Harley, and her romantically inexperienced boarder Raymond find developing rapidly between them both that gives the book its central interests, resulting in a literal and dramatic blow up!
Humour is again provided through Hudson’s colourful characters plus the inevitable loveable household pet dogs, balancing the story line’s major sexual and criminal elements.
I read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased view.
Michael Speers.
In Max Hudson’s latest gay romantic novel “Sweet Beginnings” it does indeed begin sweetly – but doesn’t remain that way for long!
Max maintains his colourful descriptive writing style when introducing new characters; of inestimable help when a story line such as this includes many.
The two main characters, ruggedly handsome “Harley” returns to his hometown, and meets up with tall lanky blonde “Raymond” who he learns is boarding at the luxury penthouse apartment of “Lydia” - Harley’s mother.
Lydia is a case by herself, being the middle aged, still attractive, cook and owner of one of the city’s three major high end bakeries. Herein lays the crux of the story’s development – jealousy between these competing food outlets: Lydia’s received robotic automated messages to “close down the factory” or everything will be destroyed!
Strong willed inventive woman that she is, Lydia has incorporated recently decriminalised ‘marijuana’ into some of her luxury produce, giving her a decided edge over her competitors!
It’s partly due to both this factor and the attraction that her son, the mature ex-army officer Harley, and her romantically inexperienced boarder Raymond find developing rapidly between them both that gives the book its central interests, resulting in a literal and dramatic blow up!
Humour is again provided through Hudson’s colourful characters plus the inevitable loveable household pet dogs, balancing the story line’s major sexual and criminal elements.
I read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased view.
Michael Speers.
September 29, 2018
Harley is directionless. He had planned on making the military his life but there was no future for a gay man in the military. So now he is out, forced to move in with his mother, who grows marijuana and puts it into baked goods. When he moves back, he meets Ray. Harley's mom saved him from living in a parking garage after fleeing a horrible family situation in Utah. Harley is attracted to Ray, but Ray has never had a meaningful relationship and is clueless.
The two men dance around a relationship and find themselves drawn in as Harley's mom and business are threatened. Both men had dreams but will the real world drown them out?
Ray is an awesome character. He has managed to leave a horrible home life and, thanks to Harley's mom, he has a job, a place to stay and a sense of responsibility for Harley's mom.
Harley has been set adrift. The military was going to be his life and, when he sees the writing on the wall, returns home to recover. He wasn't planning on Ray.
This is a story about finding your way, no matter what obstacles you may encounter. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who believes that love will find a way.
I was given this book and I am giving an honest review.
The two men dance around a relationship and find themselves drawn in as Harley's mom and business are threatened. Both men had dreams but will the real world drown them out?
Ray is an awesome character. He has managed to leave a horrible home life and, thanks to Harley's mom, he has a job, a place to stay and a sense of responsibility for Harley's mom.
Harley has been set adrift. The military was going to be his life and, when he sees the writing on the wall, returns home to recover. He wasn't planning on Ray.
This is a story about finding your way, no matter what obstacles you may encounter. I loved this book and recommend it to anyone who believes that love will find a way.
I was given this book and I am giving an honest review.
September 22, 2018
A sweet story; Harley Elliott, who left the military for political reasons and came home to Portland to start a new life; and a man, Raymond (Ray) Benoit, who ran away from a verbal abusive family in Utah.
Harley’s huge and gorgeous with what seems to be a permanent scowl on his face that frightens anyone he approaches. Ray on the other hand is smaller in statue and though gay, he has never kissed or had sex with a man. Compare Harley to Ray and the Harley who has had only one long-term relationship and many one night stands.
I loved Harley’s mother, Lydia. She is still married to Harley’s narrow-minded father, but they live apart and do their own thing. Lydia’s funny but a woman that stands on her own two feet; a stoic woman and knows what she wants and how to go about getting it—a very successful business woman. Lydia is quite the character.
The book has everything I enjoy reading…first time love, romance, danger and a cast of very interesting characters. Max Hudson is a great writer and didn’t let me down with this book and I recommend reading it. I would highly recommend the book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced read copy of this book.
Harley’s huge and gorgeous with what seems to be a permanent scowl on his face that frightens anyone he approaches. Ray on the other hand is smaller in statue and though gay, he has never kissed or had sex with a man. Compare Harley to Ray and the Harley who has had only one long-term relationship and many one night stands.
I loved Harley’s mother, Lydia. She is still married to Harley’s narrow-minded father, but they live apart and do their own thing. Lydia’s funny but a woman that stands on her own two feet; a stoic woman and knows what she wants and how to go about getting it—a very successful business woman. Lydia is quite the character.
The book has everything I enjoy reading…first time love, romance, danger and a cast of very interesting characters. Max Hudson is a great writer and didn’t let me down with this book and I recommend reading it. I would highly recommend the book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced read copy of this book.
September 22, 2018
I found it to be just meh. I knew that it was a short so I forced myself to finish it, but I ended up just skimming the last several chapters because it really didn't capture my interest. Ray was okay, Harley was boring, Harley's mom (I've already forgotten her name and I literally just finished the story!) was a little more interesting because she was a bit of a controlling firecracker that bakes edibles. I'll have to see if I have any other books by this author because I like to give everyone a second chance.
Ooh - I just checked and I've read at least 2 other books by this author and I only gave them 3 stars, and I usually round up to be nice. This author obviously just doesn't do it for me because I could barely remember what those books were about even after reading the blurb to help jolt my memory!
Ooh - I just checked and I've read at least 2 other books by this author and I only gave them 3 stars, and I usually round up to be nice. This author obviously just doesn't do it for me because I could barely remember what those books were about even after reading the blurb to help jolt my memory!
September 24, 2018
Great story! . Ray and his dog Lilo are sleeping under a tarp when Lydia finds them , takes control and makes their lives 100% better. Harley is a grumpy, for good reason, ex military who goes home to stay with his mom until he figures out what he wants to do. At first, even though the attraction to each other is strong, these two men are wary around each other. Doesn't take long before they are snuggling and heating things up. Danger, due to Lydia's business and Harley's idiotic dad being his overly cranky and nasty self causes problems for the two but they never break. What they have may be new but it is rock solid.
I wanted to smack a few people ....hard, which is always a bonus.
This book has humor, sadness, danger, adorable dogs and a mom who loves to meddle , love and a HEA.
Highly recommend this book!
I was given a Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review.
I wanted to smack a few people ....hard, which is always a bonus.
This book has humor, sadness, danger, adorable dogs and a mom who loves to meddle , love and a HEA.
Highly recommend this book!
I was given a Advanced Readers Copy for my honest review.
September 21, 2018
Harley has been in the service and quit as things got more political. Hating to go home to his busy body of a mother, he does anyway as he tries to clear his head to see what he wants to do with his future. Ray escapes from a bad home life in Utah and heads west. Somehow fates sends him to Lydia, Harley's mom. Now he is living with her and walks his and her dogs when he gets home from work. Now you would think that two gay men who are attracted to each other would have it easy, but oh no, There have been threatening emails and phone calls sent to his mother who runs a chocolate and pot business. The excitement amps up and Harley hunkers down to see if he can find out who it is. This is an excellent book and deserves a read. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC book.
October 21, 2018
Brownies & Truffles & Pot, Oh My!
Yet another terrific Max Hudson story. It starts out as a sweet story between a young, formerly homeless, inexperienced gay man, and his boss's older former military gay son, and builds sweetly as the two men discover their feelings for one another. Then suddenly, things start happening involving the mother's edible pot business that nearly cost all three of them their lives ... more than once! But love perseveres, and a HEA ending is had by all. Keep up the great work, Max! Always look forward to your next book!
Yet another terrific Max Hudson story. It starts out as a sweet story between a young, formerly homeless, inexperienced gay man, and his boss's older former military gay son, and builds sweetly as the two men discover their feelings for one another. Then suddenly, things start happening involving the mother's edible pot business that nearly cost all three of them their lives ... more than once! But love perseveres, and a HEA ending is had by all. Keep up the great work, Max! Always look forward to your next book!
September 25, 2018
Sweet Beginnings by Max Hudson is Harley Elliott and Raymond Benoit's story. I really liked the characters and enjoyed their story. Harley's mom's character was a great addition to the story. This is a short read but is packed with romance and mystery/suspense with a lot of steam. FYI, contains mature content. This is a M/M gay romance. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
September 24, 2018
Sweet book
I thought this was a wonderful book. It was a sweet, insta-love book with no big conflicts. Harvey and Ray complimented each other very well. Well written, fast-paced read.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
I thought this was a wonderful book. It was a sweet, insta-love book with no big conflicts. Harvey and Ray complimented each other very well. Well written, fast-paced read.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
October 13, 2018
Love to the rescue
Ray had it rough homeless and scared not knowing what would happen next then Mrs Elliot took him in and every thing was going to be okay then meeting Harley was a breath of fresh air so seeing them together warmed my heart and after every thing the had been through a happy ending is what they needed
Ray had it rough homeless and scared not knowing what would happen next then Mrs Elliot took him in and every thing was going to be okay then meeting Harley was a breath of fresh air so seeing them together warmed my heart and after every thing the had been through a happy ending is what they needed
August 15, 2019
Another great book by Max Hudson!
This was another great book by Max Hudson. It drew me in from the very first page and I couldn't put it down. I loved Harley and Ray and I didn't want their story to end. Loved it!
This was another great book by Max Hudson. It drew me in from the very first page and I couldn't put it down. I loved Harley and Ray and I didn't want their story to end. Loved it!
September 24, 2018
I liked the story and the characters. I found the dialogue and the scenes neatly written. The reader could easily feel the passion between the main characters.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews