Stumble Forward

by Alex Jane

It’s a classic tale.
Boy meets girl.
Boy meets girl’s brother.
All hell breaks loose.

Alec Clark is trying to start a new life and not complicate it with a past he isn’t ready to share with potential girlfriend, Allie. But when she introduces him to her troubled brother, Jack, things get complicated fast and the men end up with a secret of their own.
But there’s another secret—one that will not only break their lives apart emotionally but could have bloody, fatal consequences.
If Alec can pick his way through the minefield of lies and half-truths, he and Jack might somehow find a chance at happiness—and a life that neither of them could ever have imagined living.

Novel – 65k
Triggering and Taboo elements.

Genres: M M Romance

187 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2018

About the author

After spending years creating stories in her head, Alex started writing them down and then found she couldn’t stop.
Despite the late start, she now writes m/m romance about found families, sometimes with a historical feel—and the occasional werewolf.
Free from aspirations of literary greatness, Alex simply hopes to spin a good yarn of love and life, wrapped up with a happy ending. And if her characters have to go through Hell to get there, she’s a-okay with that.
Alex writes and walks on the South Coast of England—even when her heart and spellcheck are in New York.

You can now find her dark m/m romance under Alexis Jane if you like love…but darker.

Blog and Newsletter available on my website - www.alexjane.info

Reviews

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from the author without the promise of a review.

I found myself a little confused for the first 15-20% of the book, but once the author gave us some pertinent information things made sense. So don't give up before the 20% mark. After that things get really good. I was totally involved with this story. The characters are interesting. The sex is hot and explicit (eventually). The "event" is heart-wrenching and there is 'stuff' before and after, so it feels really huge and overwhelming. But I think it needed to be done that way to justify some of that 'stuff'. I think the story is well written and the pacing is fast when it needs to be and slower during the down times. I will warn you that Alex Jane likes to hide things from the reader and then give hints in the narration and dialogue before telling the reader exactly what's going on. I found this confusing at the beginning of the book but it becomes more intriguing as we get to know the characters better.

I really liked this book, but there are triggers that I know will upset some readers, so please, heed the author's warning and look into them if you are planning to read this book.

[N · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just want to clarify that this rating isn't because of any of the trigger warnings directly. I loved the first half or so of this book, to the point that I mentioned it to a friend I thought might like to read it due to some of the issues being touched on. However, after the plot twist in the second half of the book, I had to go back and not entirely rescind that rec but add a really huge caveat to it. What I had issue with was not the reveal itself, but the waffling back and forth on whether or not it was true. The first time it went back on it, I was like ah OK, that was quite a curve ball and I wasn't expecting the backtrack but ok I'm on board. But wait, maybe it's true after all? Or maybe not no one knows for sure? Oh but wait, now we know for sure but you, the reader, doesn't get to know! I just felt incredibly jerked around and the second half of the book became less about the characters and their struggles and more about this ridiculously soapy is-it-or-isn't-it parade of twists, lies, and betrayals. 4 stars for the first half, 0 stars for the second, 2 overall.

[Linda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious M/M romance with explicit scenes and unexpected twists
Alec is a freelance IT guy looking for love. He has a date with Allie. They’re taking it slow UNTIL one night, Allie needs to get her brother out of jail for drunken disorderly behavior. When Alec meets Jack, things change for the three of them. Alec has a troubled past and so does Jack. Can they make this work without ruining each other? BUT, the biggest secret is yet to come…
OH. MY. WORD!!! This was a great book! I’m still thinking about the ending…yes, that good! Ms. Jane has written a very compelling story with lots of delicious naughty first-time scenes, wink. All characters are legal and hot for each other. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book and it comes highly recommended IF you like explicit M/M romance.

[Shelley Chastagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Jane delivers again. I was super leery of this one, expecting high drama, angst and possibly an unsatisfactory ending. What I got was an incredible book with great characters. There is drama but it doesn't overwhelm, there is angst but it didn't gut me. Alec amazed me again and again. He knew that Jack was it, nothing and no one could deter him once he got past his qualm about their background. Jack broke my heart, as did Allie his sister. The cast of side characters enriched the story. I only wish was for an epilogue that showed us Jack and Alec once they got 'everything'.
Recommended book and author

[Tame · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no words....

Suspenseful...
Difficult and real life themes...
Two very tortured, human men...
So much love and yet so many lines broken, before, during, and probably in their future...
Or perhaps...those lines may yet intersect? And continue forward...
Read this. Be prepared to come away changed.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story flipped direction depending on whose perspective you were reading. The pace was fast and the ending left much to be desired.
I liked the writing and the overall plot and it drew me in.
I'm definitely reading more of this authors work and hopefully would get something truly dark.

4 stars!

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fast paced, well written story. Darker than her usual books but the taboo element wasn't as explicit as one might think. Trigger warning for other things so read those first. But all in all a love story with flawed characters who imo deserved their happy ending.

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a debut

This had problems in pacing and presentation among other things. It was also soap opera central and I didn’t think it was possible to make a taboo subject even weirder.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

** 3.5 stars **

[Macky · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5*

[Wangari]

DNF

[Irissska · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did skip the first part of the book cause it was boring, but secont part was more action and emotions packed and more intriguing.