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John only went into the cafe to have a brew and wait out the storm. He didn’t expect to find love at the same time.
And it really is love at first sight. Chris is like nobody John’s ever known, and John is caught from the start. All he wants, from that very first touch, is to never let go. But John is badly burned from his last relationship and in no fit state to try again. When Chris asks him out, he ought to say no.
But what if he says yes instead?
Word Count: 76800.
And it really is love at first sight. Chris is like nobody John’s ever known, and John is caught from the start. All he wants, from that very first touch, is to never let go. But John is badly burned from his last relationship and in no fit state to try again. When Chris asks him out, he ought to say no.
But what if he says yes instead?
Word Count: 76800.
322 pages, ebook
First published January 7, 2019
2 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Matthew J. Metzger
34 books351 followersMatthew is an asexual, transgender author from the wet and windy British Isles.
Matt writes LGBT novels, both adult and young adult, and particularly enjoys digging into the weird and wonderful diversity of people all across the sexuality and gender spectrums. When not writing, Matt is usually asleep, or crunching numbers at his day job. Free time is not really a concept here.
He is also owned by an enormous black cat. Approach with caution.
Matt writes LGBT novels, both adult and young adult, and particularly enjoys digging into the weird and wonderful diversity of people all across the sexuality and gender spectrums. When not writing, Matt is usually asleep, or crunching numbers at his day job. Free time is not really a concept here.
He is also owned by an enormous black cat. Approach with caution.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 8, 2019
"(...)I spilled coffee on him,and he laughed at me,and my heart stopped beating."
The blurb for this is quite vague so I had no real clue what to expect here.So this review is going to be just as vague.I think the Author may have included more detail in the blurb if he wanted people to know beforehand? Maybe I'm wrong-who knows but I'm not giving too much away.What I will say is if you've read books by him before you might have an idea,kind of...
This turned out to be so much better than I thought.About 30% in I kept thinking how much more is left to tell....turns out a lot and it was really quite special.
John and Chris meet in a coffee shop when John accidentally spills a drink on him.John is so drawn to the beautiful young man in front of him.Chris is flirty,charming and John finds himself captivated by him.
The stranger was tall and lean, with a halo of messy black curls that surrounded his face and threw the ethereal beauty of that smile into sharp relief. The smile itself was formed out of the most ridiculously kissable mouth John had ever seen.(...)
This is so difficult to explain without going into both men's backgrounds but this story gave me so much joy,so many emotions.In this superficial world we live in,it seems physical appearance is becoming more and more important and this was such a refreshing change because John wasn't perfect,or at least he didn't think he was but it turned out he was perfect because he had such a beautiful soul.Both men had their own demons to fight but they fought them together and it was so special...
A big shout out to John's sisters(who I loved), and Chris's crazy family.These supporting characters fit into the story perfectly.
This might not be a conventional love story but a love story it most definitely is.....turns out I could have read about John and Chris for a lot longer....
He was in love again. He’d found love again. He’d found trips to the coast, pints at the bar, terrible jokes, wonderful sex, the feel of feet tangled together at the end of a warm bed in the early morning. He’d found laughter, and remembered how to smile. He’d found safety , (...)
Review copy.
February 1, 2019
Tea was an unexpectedly angsty book with a lot of emotional baggage to unpack.
I really, really like Matthew J. Metzger and I've read a ton of his stuff, so I had an idea of what to expect with Tea going into it. I knew (or at least suspected) that one of the two MCs would be trans and that I would get a good, meaty story with some heat to it.
The blurb for Tea doesn't give much away, and I was pretty surprised at how weighty the story ended up being. I'm not sure if the content of the story is meant to be a spoiler, but I was not expecting a disabled MC (which I actually loved since romance with characters with disabilities is something I actively seek out).
However, the angst is more than one MC being trans and disabled. The MC who narrates the story, John, has so many issues due to trauma from his previous relationship. He went through something really horrific with his previous boyfriend, and I felt for him and his struggles.
The combo of John and Chris's problems were very heavy, but I admired Matthew J. Metzger for tackling the breadth of their pain. I think stories like Chris and John's need to be told, and I think that their lives are more common than we think.
My problem wasn't so much that the story was very heavy, but that it was a slow story and I had a hard time staying focused on it. The beginning really grabbed me, but then some of that momentum petered away and I wasn't as drawn to the story. There is also instalove, which I always struggle with, and I sort of wish that we didn't get that here, though I know instalove is something that can actually happen in real life (or insta-intense-chemistry).
I think trans and disabled people will feel seen by this story, which is really important and shouldn't be minimized. However, though I enjoyed Tea, it wasn't as compulsively readable as other stories by this author.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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I really, really like Matthew J. Metzger and I've read a ton of his stuff, so I had an idea of what to expect with Tea going into it. I knew (or at least suspected) that one of the two MCs would be trans and that I would get a good, meaty story with some heat to it.
The blurb for Tea doesn't give much away, and I was pretty surprised at how weighty the story ended up being. I'm not sure if the content of the story is meant to be a spoiler, but I was not expecting a disabled MC (which I actually loved since romance with characters with disabilities is something I actively seek out).
However, the angst is more than one MC being trans and disabled. The MC who narrates the story, John, has so many issues due to trauma from his previous relationship. He went through something really horrific with his previous boyfriend, and I felt for him and his struggles.
The combo of John and Chris's problems were very heavy, but I admired Matthew J. Metzger for tackling the breadth of their pain. I think stories like Chris and John's need to be told, and I think that their lives are more common than we think.
My problem wasn't so much that the story was very heavy, but that it was a slow story and I had a hard time staying focused on it. The beginning really grabbed me, but then some of that momentum petered away and I wasn't as drawn to the story. There is also instalove, which I always struggle with, and I sort of wish that we didn't get that here, though I know instalove is something that can actually happen in real life (or insta-intense-chemistry).
I think trans and disabled people will feel seen by this story, which is really important and shouldn't be minimized. However, though I enjoyed Tea, it wasn't as compulsively readable as other stories by this author.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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October 11, 2019
3.5 stars
I’ve loved the first two Metzger books I read, so my expectations are always high when it comes to this author, not least because he’s one of the few writers who can make me really invested in a “just romance.”
Unfortunately, Tea didn’t hit the spot as well as I hoped. I still liked it, because it has many of the things I love by this author, the characters are always interesting and above all I love that slow reveal of who they are and what they’re “hiding.” I never know what to expect and what I’ll get, and I always enjoy finding out little by little as the story progresses.
In that, I wasn’t disappointed, although in John’s case the mystery wasn’t quite there, we were told early on what had upset his life, and his main issue, while realistically depicted in all its devastating consequences and deserving all the attention it got, started to feel a bit repetitive after a while.
Same thing for the sex scenes. At one point, it seemed like John and Chris were having sex all the time and I wanted them to just stop and take up baking or something. Or at least start experimenting with something different. John sucked and Chris had an orgasm, or three. Been there, read that. Let’s move on, please.
The biggest problem I had with this book, though, was John’s tendency to get sappy and repeat how beautiful Chris was, how he loves him, how...you get the gist.
I get it, for reasons I can’t explain without spoilers, John’s character needed to have that soft, caring side in plain view, but I think it could’ve been done without giving me a cavity every other chapter. Especially since the book itself is far from overly sweet, Chris wouldn’t have allowed it to be even if it tried. Not that John didn’t try, he tried a little too much for my taste. Just my personal preference, I’m sure it will work perfectly for plenty of other readers.
If you want to see what I’m talking about, this is one of the “worst” examples and it’s not particularly spoilery, since it’s John and Chris’s first meeting and it happens two pages into the book:
Obviously, it wasn’t always like this and the rest more than made up for it or I would’ve DNFed quickly, but I definitely noticed the difference compared to the other Metzger characters and not in a good way.
I already have the next book, so I’ll read it, but I hope this change was a character-based choice and not a general indication of what I can expect from the more recent books. Given that Chris was much more on the usual Metzger spectrum, I’m cautiously optimistic.
I’ve loved the first two Metzger books I read, so my expectations are always high when it comes to this author, not least because he’s one of the few writers who can make me really invested in a “just romance.”
Unfortunately, Tea didn’t hit the spot as well as I hoped. I still liked it, because it has many of the things I love by this author, the characters are always interesting and above all I love that slow reveal of who they are and what they’re “hiding.” I never know what to expect and what I’ll get, and I always enjoy finding out little by little as the story progresses.
In that, I wasn’t disappointed, although in John’s case the mystery wasn’t quite there, we were told early on what had upset his life, and his main issue, while realistically depicted in all its devastating consequences and deserving all the attention it got, started to feel a bit repetitive after a while.
Same thing for the sex scenes. At one point, it seemed like John and Chris were having sex all the time and I wanted them to just stop and take up baking or something. Or at least start experimenting with something different. John sucked and Chris had an orgasm, or three. Been there, read that. Let’s move on, please.
The biggest problem I had with this book, though, was John’s tendency to get sappy and repeat how beautiful Chris was, how he loves him, how...you get the gist.
I get it, for reasons I can’t explain without spoilers, John’s character needed to have that soft, caring side in plain view, but I think it could’ve been done without giving me a cavity every other chapter. Especially since the book itself is far from overly sweet, Chris wouldn’t have allowed it to be even if it tried. Not that John didn’t try, he tried a little too much for my taste. Just my personal preference, I’m sure it will work perfectly for plenty of other readers.
If you want to see what I’m talking about, this is one of the “worst” examples and it’s not particularly spoilery, since it’s John and Chris’s first meeting and it happens two pages into the book:
Obviously, it wasn’t always like this and the rest more than made up for it or I would’ve DNFed quickly, but I definitely noticed the difference compared to the other Metzger characters and not in a good way.
I already have the next book, so I’ll read it, but I hope this change was a character-based choice and not a general indication of what I can expect from the more recent books. Given that Chris was much more on the usual Metzger spectrum, I’m cautiously optimistic.
January 3, 2019
I was dazzled... surprised... happy about the fact a story can surprise me. It’s not a regular story.
Their first dinner date was just... overwhelming...
I didn’t want to stop reading anymore... I wanted to read on and on... because somehow I was so caught by this story, I was emotional involved !
John was deeply burned by his relationship with Gabriel... it ended bad... unbelievable bad... and bit by bit we get to understand the heavyweight of it.... it’s one big shadow.
So he is reluctant to a new relationship. Until he meets the stunning beautiful Chris.
Chris is a refreshing wind and is frank, clear and open-hearted about what he wants and who he is. You will be amazed about him!
They start something... John very carefully... Chris more loud and clear.
“No, I don’t think kissing me until I can’t remember my own name counts as making a fool of yourself…”
Characters explicitly worked out. Both so with their own signature, flawed and with sides you will love and also irritated by. The humor was delicious, the moments they were dropped just perfect.
As a reader I had some questions and I wondered about some facts. I can’t say what exactly because that would be spoiling... It has to do with Chris and his being and how he progressed, his abilities, how it all looked simple, it all was a bit vague... there was no mention of how he handled it alone... I mean... it can’t be that simple not to write about it?
When they had sex, I expected something beautiful and quite special...it was... it really was.
But it also stayed a bit vague. It was sweet and passionate, but vague. sorry...that sounds awful shallow from my mouth. I’m just more accustomed to explicit scenes and I love to visualize details to feel it all.
After 30% I thought I read already a whole book, but there was more to come
“I passion you”
It was so delicious real and honest it hurt somewhat... my heart hurt, my eyes blurred, my nose dripped... A story with wonderful engaging personalities and extraordinary environments.
In big lines... this was a fully captivating and one hell of an amazing, sweet but complicated story! Focusing in on some details... I had question marks... but in the total picture they were really subordinate.
Overall a very well written and emotional story which I enjoyed immensely.
Kindly received an arc from the publisher through NetGalley
Their first dinner date was just... overwhelming...
I didn’t want to stop reading anymore... I wanted to read on and on... because somehow I was so caught by this story, I was emotional involved !
John was deeply burned by his relationship with Gabriel... it ended bad... unbelievable bad... and bit by bit we get to understand the heavyweight of it.... it’s one big shadow.
So he is reluctant to a new relationship. Until he meets the stunning beautiful Chris.
Chris is a refreshing wind and is frank, clear and open-hearted about what he wants and who he is. You will be amazed about him!
They start something... John very carefully... Chris more loud and clear.
“No, I don’t think kissing me until I can’t remember my own name counts as making a fool of yourself…”
Characters explicitly worked out. Both so with their own signature, flawed and with sides you will love and also irritated by. The humor was delicious, the moments they were dropped just perfect.
As a reader I had some questions and I wondered about some facts. I can’t say what exactly because that would be spoiling... It has to do with Chris and his being and how he progressed, his abilities, how it all looked simple, it all was a bit vague... there was no mention of how he handled it alone... I mean... it can’t be that simple not to write about it?
When they had sex, I expected something beautiful and quite special...it was... it really was.
But it also stayed a bit vague. It was sweet and passionate, but vague. sorry...that sounds awful shallow from my mouth. I’m just more accustomed to explicit scenes and I love to visualize details to feel it all.
After 30% I thought I read already a whole book, but there was more to come
“I passion you”
It was so delicious real and honest it hurt somewhat... my heart hurt, my eyes blurred, my nose dripped... A story with wonderful engaging personalities and extraordinary environments.
In big lines... this was a fully captivating and one hell of an amazing, sweet but complicated story! Focusing in on some details... I had question marks... but in the total picture they were really subordinate.
Overall a very well written and emotional story which I enjoyed immensely.
Kindly received an arc from the publisher through NetGalley
January 23, 2019
This book packs a whole lot of issues into one character-driven story. John is a big guy, rough-hewn and unattractive in appearance but gentle by nature, whose last relationship was beyond bad. He's tied up in knots, unable to trust himself and even prone to panic attacks after his previous boyfriend put him through a psychological wringer.
John meets Chris at a cafe, accidentally spilling his tea, and it's attraction at first sight - or in the case of Chris, who is blind, at first hear. In the absence of a snap judgement based on what John looks like, Chris's first impression is warm and kind, and desirable, “like the hot afterburn of whiskey.” They begin a tentative relationship, hampered by Chris's prickles and limits and by John's worries and inability to take anything lightly.
I adored John, and he gave us a look at a current hot button from the other side, in a way that felt valid. His family was great too. Chris had his reasons for his reflexes and worries, and for holding John at a little distance when John was already falling head over heels in love.
Sometimes, John seemed like the one making all the accommodations, but Chris was climbing some real obstacles and the fact that he worked hard to discount them as much as possible didn't make them less real. By the end of the book, it felt like Chris had one too many things piled onto him (including the last family reveal) and I wouldn't have minded John pushing Chris to get therapy too. The ease of the physical side of their relationship is plausible because of who John is, as his deep pleasure is in pleasing his partners, but once or twice I looked for hesitation that wasn't there. In general, I was pulled along through this story cheering these guys on to finding the balance between all of their issues, needs, desires, and painful spots.
I love this author's writing style, his use of language, the conversations between his characters. Always a pleasure to read.
John meets Chris at a cafe, accidentally spilling his tea, and it's attraction at first sight - or in the case of Chris, who is blind, at first hear. In the absence of a snap judgement based on what John looks like, Chris's first impression is warm and kind, and desirable, “like the hot afterburn of whiskey.” They begin a tentative relationship, hampered by Chris's prickles and limits and by John's worries and inability to take anything lightly.
I adored John, and he gave us a look at a current hot button from the other side, in a way that felt valid. His family was great too. Chris had his reasons for his reflexes and worries, and for holding John at a little distance when John was already falling head over heels in love.
Sometimes, John seemed like the one making all the accommodations, but Chris was climbing some real obstacles and the fact that he worked hard to discount them as much as possible didn't make them less real. By the end of the book, it felt like Chris had one too many things piled onto him (including the last family reveal) and I wouldn't have minded John pushing Chris to get therapy too. The ease of the physical side of their relationship is plausible because of who John is, as his deep pleasure is in pleasing his partners, but once or twice I looked for hesitation that wasn't there. In general, I was pulled along through this story cheering these guys on to finding the balance between all of their issues, needs, desires, and painful spots.
I love this author's writing style, his use of language, the conversations between his characters. Always a pleasure to read.
March 16, 2019
Just trying to get my thoughts together, well I'm a bit speechless right now... so many emotions!
Matthew J. Metzger's new novel, Tea is an absolutely beautiful love story. I started reading this one with no idea what it was about and where it was going to go, so I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
John’s story is easy to fall into, and his reactions to everything that happens to him are so authentic. The way he embraces all of Chris’ issues - it just goes to show how sweet of a guy he is, as well as how desperately he wants to love someone. It broke my heart.
Every Metzger novel I've read has been completely unique, and Tea had just enough of the darkness that I expect in one of his books, but the feels? Wow. Watching John and Chris fall in love (and spill all their secrets) is one journey I highly recommend taking!
a copy of Tea was provided to me by NetGalley for the purpose of my honest review
Matthew J. Metzger's new novel, Tea is an absolutely beautiful love story. I started reading this one with no idea what it was about and where it was going to go, so I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
John’s story is easy to fall into, and his reactions to everything that happens to him are so authentic. The way he embraces all of Chris’ issues - it just goes to show how sweet of a guy he is, as well as how desperately he wants to love someone. It broke my heart.
Every Metzger novel I've read has been completely unique, and Tea had just enough of the darkness that I expect in one of his books, but the feels? Wow. Watching John and Chris fall in love (and spill all their secrets) is one journey I highly recommend taking!
a copy of Tea was provided to me by NetGalley for the purpose of my honest review
January 10, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Tea is a character driven story. Once I got into the rhythm of things, I found myself becoming attached to John and Chris…especially John. He suffers from low self esteem and is concerned about what people think of him. Not only is he huge, he’s tattooed, and some people would describe him as “thuggish.” John’s anything but a thug, though. He’s a gentle giant whose heart is as big as his body. I don’t want to give the whole story away, but I will say he has reason for concern and is afraid of what others might say if they see him with a blind man. Thanks to the author’s skillful attention to detail, I was able to “see” what John looked and hear what he sounded like. The same goes for Chris. From the moment I read his description, I was able to imagine his hair, his smile, and his eyes.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
Tea is a character driven story. Once I got into the rhythm of things, I found myself becoming attached to John and Chris…especially John. He suffers from low self esteem and is concerned about what people think of him. Not only is he huge, he’s tattooed, and some people would describe him as “thuggish.” John’s anything but a thug, though. He’s a gentle giant whose heart is as big as his body. I don’t want to give the whole story away, but I will say he has reason for concern and is afraid of what others might say if they see him with a blind man. Thanks to the author’s skillful attention to detail, I was able to “see” what John looked and hear what he sounded like. The same goes for Chris. From the moment I read his description, I was able to imagine his hair, his smile, and his eyes.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
February 18, 2019
After a month, I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about this story. But I’ve got to write this review at some point, so I guess I’m just going to have to force myself to come to some sort of a conclusion. On the whole…I liked it enough to recommend people read it. Especially if Metzger is one of your favorite authors. His skill here with creating stories and writing characters is on par with his other works. And despite the length of the book, it did keep me interested the whole way thru. I don’t regret reading it. I just happen to find myself not entirely sure that I would ever want to revisit it, either. This isn’t a Sex in C Major, kind of a book–one that had me enthralled, but exhausted and wary of recommending it, by the end. And it isn’t Big Man, either–which ended up being by far my least liked story by this author.
Tea sits in this nebulous place of I don’t know. Which, let me tell you, is a horrible place from a reviewer’s perspective.
On the positive side, I am genuinely pleased by the wide swath of characters that Metzger brings to life in each of his book. John and Chris, despite sharing a few characteristics with several of Metzger’s other main characters, nonetheless stand as unique creations in their own right. John is this big burly electrician–but who is also soft-hearted and scarred by his last relationship–and Chris is trans, and blind, and having to deal with a life frequently interrupted by epilepsy. This connection is near instant, and despite the fact that those kinds of connections really don’t work for me, I did enjoy watching their relationship grow past that initial point of contact.
Yet because they went from zero-to-sexy-bedroom-talk in a second flat, I had a really hard time connecting to them. They were just so on whenever they were together and that kind of constant banter and flirting is something I have a really hard time connecting to. I liked them as characters, and I grew to like them as a couple, but man was it a long road to get to the point where I was fully invested in seeing them make it together.
And then there is the Other Thing…which is a bit of a spoiler. So what I’m going to do is say that for everyone wanting to go into this story spoiler-free, my general feelings about this book are that it is worth reading. It is not my favorite of Metzger’s work, but there is a lot there that is worth sticking around for. And if you don’t have my general dislike of stories with near “love at first sight” elements, then I think you will end up enjoying it a lot more than I did. There is however something that gets revealed in the first fourth(ish) of the story that might end up being a make-it or break-it moment for some people. It has to do with abuse and betrayal…just maybe not in the way that you might think. That is about as far as I can go without spoiling things too much. If you really need to know keep reading. For everyone else, this is your SPOILER WARNING…
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Tea sits in this nebulous place of I don’t know. Which, let me tell you, is a horrible place from a reviewer’s perspective.
On the positive side, I am genuinely pleased by the wide swath of characters that Metzger brings to life in each of his book. John and Chris, despite sharing a few characteristics with several of Metzger’s other main characters, nonetheless stand as unique creations in their own right. John is this big burly electrician–but who is also soft-hearted and scarred by his last relationship–and Chris is trans, and blind, and having to deal with a life frequently interrupted by epilepsy. This connection is near instant, and despite the fact that those kinds of connections really don’t work for me, I did enjoy watching their relationship grow past that initial point of contact.
Yet because they went from zero-to-sexy-bedroom-talk in a second flat, I had a really hard time connecting to them. They were just so on whenever they were together and that kind of constant banter and flirting is something I have a really hard time connecting to. I liked them as characters, and I grew to like them as a couple, but man was it a long road to get to the point where I was fully invested in seeing them make it together.
And then there is the Other Thing…which is a bit of a spoiler. So what I’m going to do is say that for everyone wanting to go into this story spoiler-free, my general feelings about this book are that it is worth reading. It is not my favorite of Metzger’s work, but there is a lot there that is worth sticking around for. And if you don’t have my general dislike of stories with near “love at first sight” elements, then I think you will end up enjoying it a lot more than I did. There is however something that gets revealed in the first fourth(ish) of the story that might end up being a make-it or break-it moment for some people. It has to do with abuse and betrayal…just maybe not in the way that you might think. That is about as far as I can go without spoiling things too much. If you really need to know keep reading. For everyone else, this is your SPOILER WARNING…
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
November 24, 2021
John is a shockingly sappy MC for Matthew Metzger! Or at least from my experience of his books so far. I still enjoyed it overall, because I love MM as a writer, but it probably wouldn't have worked for me coming from someone else. I even passed on the sequel...
January 2, 2019
I was thinking that this would be more of a hurt/comfort story, but it didn't really have that feel to me. There was just A LOT packed into this book.
John was in a relationship that ended very, very badly. He was with someone who was cheating with him and was accused of heinous acts to defer blame. He was accused so many times over and over that he started thinking it might be true.
When he meets Chris, he can't trust that he won't hurt him. He can't trust the reactions of others. Meanwhile, Chris has his own issues to overcome and he needs John beside him.
I loved how this started off with John spilling Chris's coffee and Chris flirting like a madman. It was super cute and I immediately liked Chris. However, as I kept reading and John relayed his issues, I was surprised at how little Chris did to support him.
Then, it seemed like Chris had issue after issue of his own come out, to the point where I was a little annoyed. He threw out a list of No's: don't call me that, don't touch me there, don't say that, etc. It totally peeved me at how John just went along with it all. And then more and more things from Chris's life came out of the woodwork and it just detracted from the story for me.
It seemed like John was the one with the major issue, but Chris had far more issues, but John was the one in therapy, which Chris had suggested.
I was hoping for more of a even keel I suppose, or something to even out poor John's feelings. It felt very one sided to me, even though Chris was in it, I just wish he'd been more supportive and less naggy.
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted at http://gaybook.reviews *
John was in a relationship that ended very, very badly. He was with someone who was cheating with him and was accused of heinous acts to defer blame. He was accused so many times over and over that he started thinking it might be true.
When he meets Chris, he can't trust that he won't hurt him. He can't trust the reactions of others. Meanwhile, Chris has his own issues to overcome and he needs John beside him.
I loved how this started off with John spilling Chris's coffee and Chris flirting like a madman. It was super cute and I immediately liked Chris. However, as I kept reading and John relayed his issues, I was surprised at how little Chris did to support him.
Then, it seemed like Chris had issue after issue of his own come out, to the point where I was a little annoyed. He threw out a list of No's: don't call me that, don't touch me there, don't say that, etc. It totally peeved me at how John just went along with it all. And then more and more things from Chris's life came out of the woodwork and it just detracted from the story for me.
It seemed like John was the one with the major issue, but Chris had far more issues, but John was the one in therapy, which Chris had suggested.
I was hoping for more of a even keel I suppose, or something to even out poor John's feelings. It felt very one sided to me, even though Chris was in it, I just wish he'd been more supportive and less naggy.
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted at http://gaybook.reviews *
January 7, 2019
This book had a few surprises in it and wasn't exactly what I was expecting after reading the blurb. While I enjoyed this book I did have a few issues that kept me from really loving it. I really expected a hurt/comfort type of story after reading the blurb and while John was hurt badly and did need to heal it really didn't come across as a hurt/comfort type of book IMO. I really loved the way John and Chris met and the beginning of their relationship however I wasn't crazy about the way Chris reacted to John's anxiety by basically telling him he needed to find a way to get over it if the relationship between the two was going to work and that maybe he should get help. Although I agree getting help was a great idea for John I also think Chris had A LOT of issues and John always just accepted those without telling Chris he "needed to be fixed." I think that Chris had a few too many things and instead of being able to focus on one or two I just felt pulled in a bunch of different directions without enough attention to any one issue. The second issue I had was that John just seemed to accept certain things and handle them just a little too easily
So while I found the book interesting I struggled with the relationship between the two as it seemed more one sided then balanced.
A copy of this book was provided to me by Net Galley and the publisher with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion
So while I found the book interesting I struggled with the relationship between the two as it seemed more one sided then balanced.
A copy of this book was provided to me by Net Galley and the publisher with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion
January 12, 2021
Wow, I'm blown away right now...so many feels!!
I loved John but felt so bad for the crap he was put through. No wonder he's suffering from anxiety.
Chris on the other hand, kept surprising me. He's got a dirty mouth (which I love) but is also very vulnerable in some ways. We don't get all the details up front so you have to keep learning along with John...all those unique things that make up Chris.
Wonderful
I loved John but felt so bad for the crap he was put through. No wonder he's suffering from anxiety.
Chris on the other hand, kept surprising me. He's got a dirty mouth (which I love) but is also very vulnerable in some ways. We don't get all the details up front so you have to keep learning along with John...all those unique things that make up Chris.
Wonderful
August 12, 2019
Tea
By Matthew J. Metzger
NineStarPress, 2019
Four stars
I am a big fan of Metzger’s writing and his stories. He has a way of leading his readers into a story and letting the narrative embrace them. He is not preaching to the choir, he is reaching out to shed light on affairs of the heart and soul that sometimes are hard to grasp. He helps his readers grasp them.
John Halliday is a successful and prosperous thirty-something electrician, working in Sheffield, England. He is just beginning to recover – he thinks – from a break-up that turned extremely ugly. Then he spills a cup of coffee in the lap of a gorgeous man with dark curly hair, and his heart leaps.
John is large, tattooed, and to some people, intimidating. But not to Chris Bannerman. Because he’s blind. Chris is a lot more than that, however: smart, beautiful, a total wise-ass. He loves John’s voice and their chemistry is undeniable from the moment they meet.
Chris is also complicated – his family is complicated, and his own life is filled with things that might scare a lesser man away – but not John Halliday.
I confess that, as a cis-gendered Kinsey 6 gay man, this book pushed all of my buttons and dragged me to the precipice of my comfort zone. Metzger, on the other hand, took my hand and led me through my discomfort, opening my heart as he is wont to do, and helping me see the world through other people’s eyes. His fairly hilarious rendition of both John and Chris’s families is simply more deliciousness to savor in this full-hearted romance.
The two main characters are compelling and strong, and the way they look to each other is at the core of this book’s success.
By Matthew J. Metzger
NineStarPress, 2019
Four stars
I am a big fan of Metzger’s writing and his stories. He has a way of leading his readers into a story and letting the narrative embrace them. He is not preaching to the choir, he is reaching out to shed light on affairs of the heart and soul that sometimes are hard to grasp. He helps his readers grasp them.
John Halliday is a successful and prosperous thirty-something electrician, working in Sheffield, England. He is just beginning to recover – he thinks – from a break-up that turned extremely ugly. Then he spills a cup of coffee in the lap of a gorgeous man with dark curly hair, and his heart leaps.
John is large, tattooed, and to some people, intimidating. But not to Chris Bannerman. Because he’s blind. Chris is a lot more than that, however: smart, beautiful, a total wise-ass. He loves John’s voice and their chemistry is undeniable from the moment they meet.
Chris is also complicated – his family is complicated, and his own life is filled with things that might scare a lesser man away – but not John Halliday.
I confess that, as a cis-gendered Kinsey 6 gay man, this book pushed all of my buttons and dragged me to the precipice of my comfort zone. Metzger, on the other hand, took my hand and led me through my discomfort, opening my heart as he is wont to do, and helping me see the world through other people’s eyes. His fairly hilarious rendition of both John and Chris’s families is simply more deliciousness to savor in this full-hearted romance.
The two main characters are compelling and strong, and the way they look to each other is at the core of this book’s success.
June 20, 2019
What an interesting story! I wasn’t sure I was going to read this at first because of some of my friend’s reviews and because we’ve been having some major issues around depression and anxiety in my family this year. I was afraid it would bring me down. But on the contrary, I found hope in this story, along with courage, strength, and balance. The MCs were so very real to me that I wanted to keep reading long after the last page. (And the good news is there’s going to be more on these men in the near future in the sequel, Coffee.)
John is a big guy: strong, muscular, tall, weighty, and not so good-looking, in his own opinion. He is a softie on the inside and has a heart of gold and is the big brother all his younger sisters are fortunate to have. But John is gay and his friends don’t know that and neither do his customers, his rugby team friends, or those he meets on the street. When he stops in to a café to get a cup of tea one day, he startles when he bumps into a gorgeous young man, with long dark curls, and a long, slender body. It’s love at first sight for John, or passion, as Chris calls it, but he’s shocked to learn the young man is blind and bases his assessment of John on what he hears. And he likes what he hears in John’s voice. Later, when the two get to know each other better, we learn that Chris is also transgender and suffers from epilepsy. So many strikes against them, including Chris’s attitude toward “love” and “making love” and boyfriends in general.
Without going into too much detail, John is a victim of a lie that resulted in such a devious case of character assassination that he began to believe the lies himself. Now he cowers at the idea that one of Chris’s family members or a cop or anyone in authority will believe he’s harming Chris in some way—after all, big giant man with smaller blind man. But the truth is that he absolutely loves the young man and would do anything for him, including stop if Chris wants him to stop, and he’s already proven that he will. Chris loves John, though it takes him a while to admit it. What I loved most about the story is their strong commitment to each other, their support in all conditions and circumstances. No Big Reveal tears them apart. No Misunderstanding comes between them. They are solid. And I can’t begin to say how much I appreciated that.
Add to John’s panic attacks, Chris’s issues related to his epilepsy, his blindness, and gender dysphoria, and this book packs a punch no matter in which direction a reader turns. But the bottom line is it’s well-written, with strong character development, and a commitment that isn’t always evident in any romance novel. I highly recommend it and I can’t wait for the sequel.
January 8, 2019
I liked this novel, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if it hadn’t been quite so over the top.
The book opens with a meet-cute in a coffee shop when John accidentally spills Chris’s coffee and buys him another to make up for it. John is a big guy—6’8” and full of muscles—and by his own admission looks like a thug. His appearance has been used against him in the past by an ex who accused him of being abusive, which caused so much trouble for John that he now suffers from anxiety attacks. That trauma also leads John to second guess himself when it comes to getting involved with another man. While he falls hard for Chris, the fact that Chris has a disability as well as a chronic illness makes him nervous, because it would be even easier for others to perceive them as a mismatched couple. Chris also brings his own baggage to the relationship, because of his health issues and because he is trans, both of which lead him to at times question John’s feelings for him.
The book is told from John’s perspective, which is clearly that of a man who’s been traumatized. He was gaslighted by his ex to the point that he almost believes that he is a bad guy, that he’s so big and mean looking that it might be possible that someone would look at him and be afraid to say no to anything he says. He regularly turns into an anxious mess as the story progresses. While the relationship that develops between him and Chris is positive, I was relieved when the author finally got him into therapy. Even the love of a good man isn’t a cure for the level of PTSD he displays.
All of that would have been enough for me in terms of subject matter, but then there’s Chris, too. Giving him both a disability AND a serious chronic illness felt like overkill. Chris is also a bit difficult to like at times. For example, he is quite prickly about things that he sees as feminine—Chris doesn’t want John to call him baby, rejects the idea of “making love” in favor of shagging, etc. He’s got some issues of his own to unpack, it seemed to me, but they aren’t really acknowledged in the story.
And THEN there’s Chris’s family and their alternative lifestyle, as well as the fact that one of them is super eccentric, and I was just, “OK, now, enough” (To be clear, I don’t have a problem with the lifestyle described, just with piling on more on top of everything else.)
Metzger is a good writer, but in my opinion he tends toward the more extreme in terms of his plotting and characterization. This one was just a little much for me. But it is apparently the first in a series titled A Cup of John, and I have to admit I’m curious about what happens next.
A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.
The book opens with a meet-cute in a coffee shop when John accidentally spills Chris’s coffee and buys him another to make up for it. John is a big guy—6’8” and full of muscles—and by his own admission looks like a thug. His appearance has been used against him in the past by an ex who accused him of being abusive, which caused so much trouble for John that he now suffers from anxiety attacks. That trauma also leads John to second guess himself when it comes to getting involved with another man. While he falls hard for Chris, the fact that Chris has a disability as well as a chronic illness makes him nervous, because it would be even easier for others to perceive them as a mismatched couple. Chris also brings his own baggage to the relationship, because of his health issues and because he is trans, both of which lead him to at times question John’s feelings for him.
The book is told from John’s perspective, which is clearly that of a man who’s been traumatized. He was gaslighted by his ex to the point that he almost believes that he is a bad guy, that he’s so big and mean looking that it might be possible that someone would look at him and be afraid to say no to anything he says. He regularly turns into an anxious mess as the story progresses. While the relationship that develops between him and Chris is positive, I was relieved when the author finally got him into therapy. Even the love of a good man isn’t a cure for the level of PTSD he displays.
All of that would have been enough for me in terms of subject matter, but then there’s Chris, too. Giving him both a disability AND a serious chronic illness felt like overkill. Chris is also a bit difficult to like at times. For example, he is quite prickly about things that he sees as feminine—Chris doesn’t want John to call him baby, rejects the idea of “making love” in favor of shagging, etc. He’s got some issues of his own to unpack, it seemed to me, but they aren’t really acknowledged in the story.
And THEN there’s Chris’s family and their alternative lifestyle, as well as the fact that one of them is super eccentric, and I was just, “OK, now, enough” (To be clear, I don’t have a problem with the lifestyle described, just with piling on more on top of everything else.)
Metzger is a good writer, but in my opinion he tends toward the more extreme in terms of his plotting and characterization. This one was just a little much for me. But it is apparently the first in a series titled A Cup of John, and I have to admit I’m curious about what happens next.
A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.
February 18, 2019
John is a big, burly, electrician whose last lover turned out to be a two-timing arse. Daniel had never planned to be a true partner to John, and turned on John is a terrible betrayal that's left John concerned that he's maybe more forceful with his lovers than he intended to be. Mired in low self-esteem and self-doubt, he's stopped dating for the past 9 months.
He stumbles into a crowded tea shop one rainy afternoon and meets the most beautiful younger man. Chris invites John to share his table for tea. John accepts, entranced by Chris's charm--and it's a comfortable chat. John's confused why someone so lovely would flirt with an ugly mug like him so openly, but soon realizes that Chris is blind. And, he's sure it would be bad for him to accept Chris' invitation for a date. Yet, lonely and buzzing with excitement, John agrees.
Over the course of several dates, spanning weeks, Chris and John spend more and more time together. Chris reveals the source of his blindness, and his daily battle with severe epilepsy. It's also a bit of a surprise that Chris is transgender. John's so caught up in love, that he's willing to pursue a relationship--even though he's sure outsiders will have a bad impression of such a thug "caring" for a blind man. As Chris notes, he's always seen as an invalid, and anyone with him as a carer, not a partner.
John's troubles with his past lover leads him to keep Chris a bit of a secret. He's afraid to make any mistakes--and it ends up isolating Chris, for a bit. In order for John to develop a healthy relationship, it's clear he needs to seek outside help--and it's a good moment for him to reflect on the emotional damage he's been hiding. I felt as though this all read very strongly true. Chris and John each have challenges they need to face--sometimes together and sometimes alone. They do support each other well, and John comes to terms with his self-hatred through careful introspection. It's a tender experience, and I think I adored both John and Chris in equal measure. I'm glad it's the first book in a series because I'd like to spend more time with these guys in the future.
He stumbles into a crowded tea shop one rainy afternoon and meets the most beautiful younger man. Chris invites John to share his table for tea. John accepts, entranced by Chris's charm--and it's a comfortable chat. John's confused why someone so lovely would flirt with an ugly mug like him so openly, but soon realizes that Chris is blind. And, he's sure it would be bad for him to accept Chris' invitation for a date. Yet, lonely and buzzing with excitement, John agrees.
Over the course of several dates, spanning weeks, Chris and John spend more and more time together. Chris reveals the source of his blindness, and his daily battle with severe epilepsy. It's also a bit of a surprise that Chris is transgender. John's so caught up in love, that he's willing to pursue a relationship--even though he's sure outsiders will have a bad impression of such a thug "caring" for a blind man. As Chris notes, he's always seen as an invalid, and anyone with him as a carer, not a partner.
John's troubles with his past lover leads him to keep Chris a bit of a secret. He's afraid to make any mistakes--and it ends up isolating Chris, for a bit. In order for John to develop a healthy relationship, it's clear he needs to seek outside help--and it's a good moment for him to reflect on the emotional damage he's been hiding. I felt as though this all read very strongly true. Chris and John each have challenges they need to face--sometimes together and sometimes alone. They do support each other well, and John comes to terms with his self-hatred through careful introspection. It's a tender experience, and I think I adored both John and Chris in equal measure. I'm glad it's the first book in a series because I'd like to spend more time with these guys in the future.
August 27, 2019
Honestly, I thought it was well written and liked the various families, but the core subject matter made me a bit uneasy.
IRL false rape accusations are exceedingly rare. And reporting rape nearly always carries a heavy price for the accusers, who fight a battle to be taken seriously every day. Many times a big part of that battle are conservatives saying we should protect the accused more than the victim. We all hear how we should not risk ruining men’s lives by accusing them even with inescapable evidence.
In this context, a novel where the accused is not guilty and is suffering emotional damage from the accusation, is off key. Yes, I’m sure this situation could occur. But why spotlight it even more than its being continually spotlit? How does that help our society at all? The overdramatized fear of it already ruins actual rape victim’s lives.
I wish the author had picked a different reason for our heroes anxieties.
IRL false rape accusations are exceedingly rare. And reporting rape nearly always carries a heavy price for the accusers, who fight a battle to be taken seriously every day. Many times a big part of that battle are conservatives saying we should protect the accused more than the victim. We all hear how we should not risk ruining men’s lives by accusing them even with inescapable evidence.
In this context, a novel where the accused is not guilty and is suffering emotional damage from the accusation, is off key. Yes, I’m sure this situation could occur. But why spotlight it even more than its being continually spotlit? How does that help our society at all? The overdramatized fear of it already ruins actual rape victim’s lives.
I wish the author had picked a different reason for our heroes anxieties.
January 3, 2019
John is trying to get over his last horrendous relationship. When he spills tea on a beautiful, enticing man, he decides immediately that he wants him. It doesn’t matter that Chris is blind, or that he’s not sure he’s ready to take another chance, but when Chris ask him to dinner he can’t say no.
What follows is both men working through their demons and coming out the other side in love.
I didn’t know what to expect from this book. The blurb was nice and it sounded interesting. What I got was so much more than interesting. No spoilers, so I won’t go to much into the story. John and Chris have huge issues that need to be addressed. The way the story played out was so enlightening and special. I liked this book
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
What follows is both men working through their demons and coming out the other side in love.
I didn’t know what to expect from this book. The blurb was nice and it sounded interesting. What I got was so much more than interesting. No spoilers, so I won’t go to much into the story. John and Chris have huge issues that need to be addressed. The way the story played out was so enlightening and special. I liked this book
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
January 11, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5 stars
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 4
Wow, just wow!! An amazing and compelling story of chance, trust, love, and hope! I couldn’t put it down!
Honestly, the cover of this book appealed to me (I love tea!) but once I read the blurb I was intrigued, little did I know I’d be drawn into a story that was not what it seems and would break my heart, only to put it back together in the best way!
This is my first book from this author and my first book featuring a transgender main character and it was amazing! The story follows a wonderful meet-cute of two polar opposite characters and explores their lives, pasts, hopes, and personal demons as they navigate their way to a new relationship together. I loved John! He is a wonderfully real character that stole my heart. His personal demons were confronting at times and all I wanted to do was give him a giant hug and tell him it’ll be okay! I felt for John as he faced his demons and loved Chris’s sense of humor and his spark as he encourages John and discovers more about himself as they progress in their relationship. Chris was not what I expected after the meet-cute but was so much better! He had so much vitality in spite of all his challenges, a wonderful sarcastic streak and such sass and humor I was laughing out loud!
Matthew writing felt so raw and real to me. I think its a testament to his talent that he has created two characters that have so much depth and desire that they have the ability to help heal each other. John and Chris are such exemplary characters that will honestly hold a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to see where they go next!
A highly recommended read that has the ability to surprise you, make you cry, laugh and hope along with the characters and feel their connection continue beyond the last words on the page!
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com 📚
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 4
Wow, just wow!! An amazing and compelling story of chance, trust, love, and hope! I couldn’t put it down!
Honestly, the cover of this book appealed to me (I love tea!) but once I read the blurb I was intrigued, little did I know I’d be drawn into a story that was not what it seems and would break my heart, only to put it back together in the best way!
This is my first book from this author and my first book featuring a transgender main character and it was amazing! The story follows a wonderful meet-cute of two polar opposite characters and explores their lives, pasts, hopes, and personal demons as they navigate their way to a new relationship together. I loved John! He is a wonderfully real character that stole my heart. His personal demons were confronting at times and all I wanted to do was give him a giant hug and tell him it’ll be okay! I felt for John as he faced his demons and loved Chris’s sense of humor and his spark as he encourages John and discovers more about himself as they progress in their relationship. Chris was not what I expected after the meet-cute but was so much better! He had so much vitality in spite of all his challenges, a wonderful sarcastic streak and such sass and humor I was laughing out loud!
Matthew writing felt so raw and real to me. I think its a testament to his talent that he has created two characters that have so much depth and desire that they have the ability to help heal each other. John and Chris are such exemplary characters that will honestly hold a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to see where they go next!
A highly recommended read that has the ability to surprise you, make you cry, laugh and hope along with the characters and feel their connection continue beyond the last words on the page!
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com 📚
January 15, 2019
Title: Tea
Author: Matthew J. Metzger
Publisher: NineStar Press Publication
ISBN: 978-1-949909-81-4
Buy Link: https://ninestarpress.com/product/tea/
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
A Cup of John 1
John only went into the cafe to have a brew and wait out the storm. He didn’t expect to find love at the same time.
And it really is love at first sight. Chris is like nobody John’s ever known, and John is caught from the start. All he wants, from that very first touch, is to never let go. But John is badly burned from his last relationship and in no fit state to try again. When Chris asks him out, he ought to say no.
But what if he says yes instead?
Total Score: 4/5
Summary:
John is living a lie hiding his sexuality from anyone not part of his family. After his ex-boyfriend set him up as an abuser and rapist to hide his cheating ways. And since John is such a big man everyone believed him. Experiencing the anguish and horror he went through to the point of even questioning himself was terrible. So when John literally ran into Chris causing him to drink, he never expected such a beautiful man to come on to him. Now Chris has his own issues, but denying his own feelings were definitely not one of them. It was fascinating how they couldn’t be more different, but it was those differences that brought them together. Chris may be blind, but he knew form the start that John was a gentle giant and nothing and no one could make him change his mind. They each had secrets that could either bring them together or tear them apart.
This was a wonderful coming out story about being true to yourself and finding your way.
This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Matthew J. Metzger
Publisher: NineStar Press Publication
ISBN: 978-1-949909-81-4
Buy Link: https://ninestarpress.com/product/tea/
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
A Cup of John 1
John only went into the cafe to have a brew and wait out the storm. He didn’t expect to find love at the same time.
And it really is love at first sight. Chris is like nobody John’s ever known, and John is caught from the start. All he wants, from that very first touch, is to never let go. But John is badly burned from his last relationship and in no fit state to try again. When Chris asks him out, he ought to say no.
But what if he says yes instead?
Total Score: 4/5
Summary:
John is living a lie hiding his sexuality from anyone not part of his family. After his ex-boyfriend set him up as an abuser and rapist to hide his cheating ways. And since John is such a big man everyone believed him. Experiencing the anguish and horror he went through to the point of even questioning himself was terrible. So when John literally ran into Chris causing him to drink, he never expected such a beautiful man to come on to him. Now Chris has his own issues, but denying his own feelings were definitely not one of them. It was fascinating how they couldn’t be more different, but it was those differences that brought them together. Chris may be blind, but he knew form the start that John was a gentle giant and nothing and no one could make him change his mind. They each had secrets that could either bring them together or tear them apart.
This was a wonderful coming out story about being true to yourself and finding your way.
This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2019
So Chris and John bump into each other in book one – literally – and are instantly attracted. I loved the way that their issues and challenges didn’t play into their initial meeting. They met on neutral territory and even ground… it was fantastic. I was instantly drawn in by their connection… I have developed such a soft spot for John. He’s the kind of man that people judge when they see him… and that speaks to me on many levels. Chris doesn’t judge him…. he just takes a chance on him.
Their relationship progresses quickly even though John is still healing from a very negative experience that ended his previous relationship. As a result, John is already in deep when Chris reveals that he is transgender. This is an #ownvoices novel so it’s no wonder that the reveal was written realistically and in a great way. Now, I’m a Cisgender woman but I have spent a lot of time reading reviews and non-fiction books written by members of the trans community. I feel as though the authentic voice of author, Metzger is the kind of voice that the trans community needs to be hearing from.
Chris is an independent young man who is still discovering some things about himself while, at the same time, being certain of who he is in many ways. As the relationship grows stronger, John and Chris work through so many issues that are relevant to those of us living a queer life or a life that is affected by illness or disability. Bravo Matthew J. Metzger!
There are many things revealed about these two characters in the first book and I don’t want to go into them all. I really want people to be able to read this series and let it unfold naturally. The way the first book is written, the relationship grows and blossoms in a very organic way.
Their relationship progresses quickly even though John is still healing from a very negative experience that ended his previous relationship. As a result, John is already in deep when Chris reveals that he is transgender. This is an #ownvoices novel so it’s no wonder that the reveal was written realistically and in a great way. Now, I’m a Cisgender woman but I have spent a lot of time reading reviews and non-fiction books written by members of the trans community. I feel as though the authentic voice of author, Metzger is the kind of voice that the trans community needs to be hearing from.
Chris is an independent young man who is still discovering some things about himself while, at the same time, being certain of who he is in many ways. As the relationship grows stronger, John and Chris work through so many issues that are relevant to those of us living a queer life or a life that is affected by illness or disability. Bravo Matthew J. Metzger!
There are many things revealed about these two characters in the first book and I don’t want to go into them all. I really want people to be able to read this series and let it unfold naturally. The way the first book is written, the relationship grows and blossoms in a very organic way.
September 20, 2019
4 stars
John bumps into (literally) Chris at a coffee shop, spilling Chris' coffee all over him. John buys Chris a new one, and they sit and talk for awhile. Chris makes it apparent that he is interested, but John is wary after his last relationship went waaaayyy wrong. Still, John can't stop thinking about Chris, so he agrees to meet up with him again.
There are things that they both need to learn about each other, and in spite of the instant connection, they take the time to get to know one another without making assumptions that they know what is good for the other person.
I call this very quiet storytelling. There is drama, and there are things happening, but it's more like watching ripples on the water rather than outright waves. Everything is contained, but not constrained. John realizes that he has issues he has to deal with, and he has to figure out how to be the best person he can be for Chris, too.
I've thought about this for a week, and I am still finding it hard to review. They fall in love, things happen, there's family, both Chris and John have issues...I don't know what else to say. I do agree with one review that said that Chris had a lot piled on him. He seems to have a lot going on, and a lot that has happened to him.
I liked John and Chris together.
John bumps into (literally) Chris at a coffee shop, spilling Chris' coffee all over him. John buys Chris a new one, and they sit and talk for awhile. Chris makes it apparent that he is interested, but John is wary after his last relationship went waaaayyy wrong. Still, John can't stop thinking about Chris, so he agrees to meet up with him again.
There are things that they both need to learn about each other, and in spite of the instant connection, they take the time to get to know one another without making assumptions that they know what is good for the other person.
I call this very quiet storytelling. There is drama, and there are things happening, but it's more like watching ripples on the water rather than outright waves. Everything is contained, but not constrained. John realizes that he has issues he has to deal with, and he has to figure out how to be the best person he can be for Chris, too.
I've thought about this for a week, and I am still finding it hard to review. They fall in love, things happen, there's family, both Chris and John have issues...I don't know what else to say. I do agree with one review that said that Chris had a lot piled on him. He seems to have a lot going on, and a lot that has happened to him.
I liked John and Chris together.
January 9, 2019
Tea is a gloriously ambitious novel by Matthew Metzger. From the very beginning, I found myself completely engrossed in this special story.
Chris is not just a trans man, but he's also blind and suffers from a serious illness. He's an amazingly refreshing character, as he's honest and upfront with his feelings. He's truly an easily loveable man.
John was completely screwed over by an ex in his past and is still struggling to move on with his life. He can't trust anyone, as he's completely weighed down with fear. His past with his ex is revealed over time and it is tragic and vile.
I love the tone, as it's gentle and soothing, and the writing style is fantastic. Both characters are unique, and written with astounding depth. The humor that's infused into these men is wonderful. And the story is written with extreme honesty and realness, leading you on an emotional ride throughout.
Tea is a story of acceptance, creating for a touching and beautiful story. The sex scenes are passionate and full of love, although fairly tame. Matthew Metzger encompasses so much into this book, that it's impressive. I highly recommend it.
Chris is not just a trans man, but he's also blind and suffers from a serious illness. He's an amazingly refreshing character, as he's honest and upfront with his feelings. He's truly an easily loveable man.
John was completely screwed over by an ex in his past and is still struggling to move on with his life. He can't trust anyone, as he's completely weighed down with fear. His past with his ex is revealed over time and it is tragic and vile.
I love the tone, as it's gentle and soothing, and the writing style is fantastic. Both characters are unique, and written with astounding depth. The humor that's infused into these men is wonderful. And the story is written with extreme honesty and realness, leading you on an emotional ride throughout.
Tea is a story of acceptance, creating for a touching and beautiful story. The sex scenes are passionate and full of love, although fairly tame. Matthew Metzger encompasses so much into this book, that it's impressive. I highly recommend it.
January 10, 2019
This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.
I love this amazing book and I could not put it down. It is beautifully written, emotional, inspiring, insightful, deals well with many difficult issues, shows that true love can conquer all and the characters are incredible. I was overcome with emotions as I followed the amazing journey that John and Chris embark on as their relationship develops. John's horrific past makes him doubt everything he ever believed about himself but after meeting Chris he wants to try to move forward and heal. Chris has never met anyone like John and he is cautious but hopeful. I love how they both see each other for who they really are and accept everything about each other so easily. They have a smoking hot chemistry together and an instant strong connection that is formed the first time they meet. The author did an excellent job of portraying the obstacles both John and Chris have to deal with in their lives. The secondary characters are great and I love the dynamics in both Chris and John's families. I can't wait to read the next book in this fabulous new series.
I love this amazing book and I could not put it down. It is beautifully written, emotional, inspiring, insightful, deals well with many difficult issues, shows that true love can conquer all and the characters are incredible. I was overcome with emotions as I followed the amazing journey that John and Chris embark on as their relationship develops. John's horrific past makes him doubt everything he ever believed about himself but after meeting Chris he wants to try to move forward and heal. Chris has never met anyone like John and he is cautious but hopeful. I love how they both see each other for who they really are and accept everything about each other so easily. They have a smoking hot chemistry together and an instant strong connection that is formed the first time they meet. The author did an excellent job of portraying the obstacles both John and Chris have to deal with in their lives. The secondary characters are great and I love the dynamics in both Chris and John's families. I can't wait to read the next book in this fabulous new series.
September 11, 2019
More than 3.5* for me, but perhaps not quite so intense as some others by this author. That said, we do cover a range of issues here.
I generally like the author’s writing style, I find it refreshingly real, with strong sense of place and characters though sometimes in this one the slow road that the two guys have to travel meant the story did slow down - though to contradict myself, it didn’t feel like a 300+ page read either.
Whilst Chris had a whole host of personal - and family - issues, we see him just as a guy for the most part. Any reference to his gender, illness or blindness was put in as a setting for John to deal with.
John has been traumatised by events with the ex and did come across as conflicted between his ‘public’ persona (tough, straight, confident) versus how he was inside (highly anxious). I did find but i have no direct experience to relate this to so trust the author here.
Families are a mare and both have to deal with mixed bag of reactions. Overall, enjoyed their story.
I generally like the author’s writing style, I find it refreshingly real, with strong sense of place and characters though sometimes in this one the slow road that the two guys have to travel meant the story did slow down - though to contradict myself, it didn’t feel like a 300+ page read either.
Whilst Chris had a whole host of personal - and family - issues, we see him just as a guy for the most part. Any reference to his gender, illness or blindness was put in as a setting for John to deal with.
John has been traumatised by events with the ex and did come across as conflicted between his ‘public’ persona (tough, straight, confident) versus how he was inside (highly anxious). I did find but i have no direct experience to relate this to so trust the author here.
Families are a mare and both have to deal with mixed bag of reactions. Overall, enjoyed their story.
January 3, 2019
I received this book as an ARC from Ninestar Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book was very unexpected from reading the description. There were parts of the book I found relate able to readers however, the book jumped around a lot in the context making it very difficult to understand the premise of the story. While reading the book, I was wondering why Matthew Metzger wanted to title the book just Tea where the story is about something completely different than Tea. As I was finishing the book, the book was enjoyable and I finally was able to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
We will consider adding this book to our Fiction section at our library. That is why we give this book 3 stars.
This book was very unexpected from reading the description. There were parts of the book I found relate able to readers however, the book jumped around a lot in the context making it very difficult to understand the premise of the story. While reading the book, I was wondering why Matthew Metzger wanted to title the book just Tea where the story is about something completely different than Tea. As I was finishing the book, the book was enjoyable and I finally was able to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
We will consider adding this book to our Fiction section at our library. That is why we give this book 3 stars.
February 28, 2019
Sweet. Really enjoyable. Matthew J Metzger is one of my auto-buy authors for good reason.
I do have a couple of logistical queries though.
Yes, that's how my brain works. Niggle, niggle, niggle.
I do have a couple of logistical queries though.
Yes, that's how my brain works. Niggle, niggle, niggle.
January 20, 2019
Matthew Metzger always writes beautiful, emotional and intense books, and Tea didn't disappoint. We have John who went through a horrific breakup that leads to his anxiety attacks. Chris is trans, blind and has epilepsy. They book a chance on love and won. Both have families that are overprotective and doubts their abilities to find love on their own. Once you get their know their families they are hilarious and have no filters.
I have read all Matthews books and so far this the best one. This book has everything romance, angst, food, and old-fashion love.
I have read all Matthews books and so far this the best one. This book has everything romance, angst, food, and old-fashion love.
April 25, 2019
A very interesting read: I really really liked the whole "Meeting-in-a-cafe-by-accident" -Thing. It was just the perfect beginning. I am an impatient Reader and sometimes it annoys me, when I read romance novels and the two protagonists meet too far into the book, so I really loved here to get to know them right at the first few pages. Both are very adorable. And so cute together! They have a lot of dialogue going on, often talking about lots of stuff and I very much enjoyed that too. Will definetely read more from this author again.
January 24, 2019
I chose this book because of the cover. However, as I got into the book I found I really enjoyed it.
A sweet love story that had many ups and downs was just what I needed for a quick weekend read.
This story was sweet, dazzling and had many surprises. I liked that two rather flawed characters could come together to create something wonderful.
A sweet love story that had many ups and downs was just what I needed for a quick weekend read.
This story was sweet, dazzling and had many surprises. I liked that two rather flawed characters could come together to create something wonderful.
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