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Rainbow Place #4
Mud & Lace
When Wicksy falls for drag queen Charlie, they discover that both sexuality and gender can be fluid.
Simon Wicks—Wicksy to his rugby teammates—has only ever been interested in women. But when he sets eyes on Lady Gogo, a drag queen who performs at Rainbow Place, he can’t stop thinking about her. He knows there’s a guy behind the fishnets and make-up, but he’s ready to explore his fantasies, and Lady Gogo is game for making them come true.
Charlie adores performing in drag. It allows him to indulge in his love of cross-dressing while earning some extra cash. Fooling around with a mostly straight guy in secret seems like a fun diversion, and gives him the chance to explore his feminine side. He feels safe wearing the mask of his confident alter ego, because the real Charlie is hidden from view.
When Wicksy sees more of the guy behind the make-up and glitter, his attraction to Charlie persists, and he realises he’s bisexual. In turn, Charlie begins to understand and accept his gender fluidity. As their mutual journey of self-discovery brings them closer, the secrecy becomes increasingly hard to deal with. If they’re going to have a future together, they both need to find the courage to show people who they really are.
Although this book is part of a linked series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
Simon Wicks—Wicksy to his rugby teammates—has only ever been interested in women. But when he sets eyes on Lady Gogo, a drag queen who performs at Rainbow Place, he can’t stop thinking about her. He knows there’s a guy behind the fishnets and make-up, but he’s ready to explore his fantasies, and Lady Gogo is game for making them come true.
Charlie adores performing in drag. It allows him to indulge in his love of cross-dressing while earning some extra cash. Fooling around with a mostly straight guy in secret seems like a fun diversion, and gives him the chance to explore his feminine side. He feels safe wearing the mask of his confident alter ego, because the real Charlie is hidden from view.
When Wicksy sees more of the guy behind the make-up and glitter, his attraction to Charlie persists, and he realises he’s bisexual. In turn, Charlie begins to understand and accept his gender fluidity. As their mutual journey of self-discovery brings them closer, the secrecy becomes increasingly hard to deal with. If they’re going to have a future together, they both need to find the courage to show people who they really are.
Although this book is part of a linked series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2019
76 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
Jay Northcote
54 books1,653 followersI don't hang out on Goodreads much, so if you'd like to connect with me then Twitter, Facebook or an email is usually best :) All my contact details are on my website.
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.
One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.
Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. Jay has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and he also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.
Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.
Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.
One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.
Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. Jay has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and he also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.
Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
May 15, 2019
I love, love, love a sexuality discovery story, and Jay Northcote always gets those so, so right. How does he know what I like and continue to deliver the goods time and again?!
I really liked how we got both MCs exploring their sexuality and sexual identity. One is discovering that he might be bi or pan, and the other is coming to terms with their gender fluidity. Both narratives are told so well, so organically, that I felt like I was right there with them every step of the way.
I adore a kinky, well-done sex scene, and Jay delivers again here. I could listen to these two dirty talk all day and all night!
I was a little lost as to the secondary characters, many of whom were recurring from previous books, but I think the story works well as a stand-alone. If you like hot stories about two people learning about who they are and who they are attracted to, you'll enjoy this little number.
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I really liked how we got both MCs exploring their sexuality and sexual identity. One is discovering that he might be bi or pan, and the other is coming to terms with their gender fluidity. Both narratives are told so well, so organically, that I felt like I was right there with them every step of the way.
I adore a kinky, well-done sex scene, and Jay delivers again here. I could listen to these two dirty talk all day and all night!
I was a little lost as to the secondary characters, many of whom were recurring from previous books, but I think the story works well as a stand-alone. If you like hot stories about two people learning about who they are and who they are attracted to, you'll enjoy this little number.
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April 21, 2019
Jay Northcote tackles the subject of self discovery/sexual identity and totally nails it.
After the introduction of drag queen,Lady Gogo,in the previous book I was more than intrigued to discover the man behind the make up and heels and Charlie was not what I was expecting but I absolutely adored him( he's definitely one of my favourite characters by Jay).
Charlie has always tried to hide his feminine side,never really having the courage to explore it.So when he has the opportunity to take part in a talent contest he can finally go there,so to speak,when he creates the fabulous Lady Gogo.But after the act is over and the make up is removed and the costumes put away he finds he's still not completely comfortable in his own skin.He starts to question his identity...
Simon (Wicksy) always considered himself straight but he's more than a bit fascinated by Lady Gogo.He knows under the hair and make up it's really a man and almost convinces himself it's ok because Charlie looks like a woman.He's never even considered the possibility of being bi or gay....
All Lady Gogo’s appeal for him was in her femininity— and she was an exaggerated version of femininity. So really, that made him extra straight.
They might have just started off with explosive sex,both living out their fantasies but how long before feelings start to complicate things and both men have to stop hiding.
Charlie slowly starts to accept/recognize his gender fluidity and I just wanted to wrap him up and hug him as he struggled with his emotions and what he felt comfortable with and not what others expected him to be.
The portrayal of Simon's struggle in accepting his own sexuality was very well done.I didn't warm to his character at first but I definitely understood him and I'm sure his character is very true to life. Coming out and admitting your sexual orientation must be extremely difficult.
Another great addition to this enjoyable series.
Recommend Read.
An Arc of Mud & Lace was kindly provided to DirtyBooksObsession in exchange for an honest review.
This review is posted on DirtyBooksObsession
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April 23, 2019
Mud & Lace is aptly titled. Simon (Wicksy to his mates and Cam's best friend from book 2) is a rugby player; he's masculine and likes to get dirty. When Simon sees the stunning Lady Gogo, he can't look away.
Charlie (aka Lady Gogo) loves to explore his feminine side. Drag makes him brave and bold. He can embrace the Lady Gogo persona without shame. He just wishes he could do the same when he's not in costume.
Simon understands that Charlie is a man, but Simon loves the feminine, so Charlie as Lady Gogo, with lipstick and lacy panties, does him in. As Simon and Charlie spend more time together, Simon starts to think of Charlie as a "he" versus a "she" and begins to question his own sexuality (is he bi? pan?).
Meanwhile, Charlie wonders how "girly" he wants to be. Is he transgender or gender fluid? Jay handles these topics with sensitivity and grace.
The sex scenes in this book are kinky and sensual. The MCs have a real connection that moves beyond gender.
I loved the secondary characters, including Simon and Charlie's awesome moms. I understood Simon's fear of changing the way everyone perceived him, but I also got why Charlie didn't want to be anyone's dirty little secret.
The ending is a HFN, appropriate since Charlie is 20 and Simon is 24. I would have liked an epilogue set further in the future, but I very much enjoyed this story.
Charlie (aka Lady Gogo) loves to explore his feminine side. Drag makes him brave and bold. He can embrace the Lady Gogo persona without shame. He just wishes he could do the same when he's not in costume.
Simon understands that Charlie is a man, but Simon loves the feminine, so Charlie as Lady Gogo, with lipstick and lacy panties, does him in. As Simon and Charlie spend more time together, Simon starts to think of Charlie as a "he" versus a "she" and begins to question his own sexuality (is he bi? pan?).
Meanwhile, Charlie wonders how "girly" he wants to be. Is he transgender or gender fluid? Jay handles these topics with sensitivity and grace.
The sex scenes in this book are kinky and sensual. The MCs have a real connection that moves beyond gender.
I loved the secondary characters, including Simon and Charlie's awesome moms. I understood Simon's fear of changing the way everyone perceived him, but I also got why Charlie didn't want to be anyone's dirty little secret.
The ending is a HFN, appropriate since Charlie is 20 and Simon is 24. I would have liked an epilogue set further in the future, but I very much enjoyed this story.
October 27, 2023
2** stars
dnf @55%
I totally liked the story idea of a straight guy falling for a gorgeous drag queen but I honestly wasn’t a fan of the execution. Or rather of Wicksy (the straight guy). God, I really came to hate the dude.
Although Charlie liked being seen as and referred to as a woman by Wicksy I didn’t like that Wicksy refused to acknowledge that Charlie was actually a him and kept referring to him as she/her in his mind and when talking about him to others. It also made me uncomfortable that Wicksy insisted on meeting Charlie only dressed up and in full make up for far too long and was not even remotely interested to meet the boy beyond the drag queen persona. Wicksy was not even a little bit relaxed or curious about exploring his attraction to a man and kept pretending Charlie’s a woman because he only ever liked women.
And it goes on like this until around 40% of the book! Charlie is so desperate to be with Wicksy that he even hides his dick from him.
I honestly didn’t find that particularly romantic for a queer/gay romance. I absolutely don’t mind for the men in my romances to be attracted to feminine looking/acting guys (rather the opposite, actually) or even playing with being a woman. But I insist that they acknowledge that it is, in fact, a boy and not a girl they have at their side and/or in bed.
It mattered little to me that it changed later and Wicksy (kind of) got his act together. Turns out that this whole thing with Wicksy sends Charlie out on a journey to question himself and his gender. How he feels, what makes him happy and I would’ve loved to go on this journey with him if it wasn’t for Wicksy. I just couldn’t bear with him any longer.
And one last thing because Wicksy is obv the book-boyfriend you were looking for:
This dude obv never payed close attention when he was with a women or these poor girls really aways had to fake it with him. *lmaooo I mean, sure, physically it is way subtler how women climax compared to men but hell there are telltale signs.
All in all, despite the appealing premise ⇢ not recommended!
dnf @55%
I totally liked the story idea of a straight guy falling for a gorgeous drag queen but I honestly wasn’t a fan of the execution. Or rather of Wicksy (the straight guy). God, I really came to hate the dude.
Although Charlie liked being seen as and referred to as a woman by Wicksy I didn’t like that Wicksy refused to acknowledge that Charlie was actually a him and kept referring to him as she/her in his mind and when talking about him to others. It also made me uncomfortable that Wicksy insisted on meeting Charlie only dressed up and in full make up for far too long and was not even remotely interested to meet the boy beyond the drag queen persona. Wicksy was not even a little bit relaxed or curious about exploring his attraction to a man and kept pretending Charlie’s a woman because he only ever liked women.
He scanned her crotch, looking for evidence of a bulge but it was well concealed, and Wicksy couldn’t help feeling relieved about that.
And it goes on like this until around 40% of the book! Charlie is so desperate to be with Wicksy that he even hides his dick from him.
I honestly didn’t find that particularly romantic for a queer/gay romance. I absolutely don’t mind for the men in my romances to be attracted to feminine looking/acting guys (rather the opposite, actually) or even playing with being a woman. But I insist that they acknowledge that it is, in fact, a boy and not a girl they have at their side and/or in bed.
It mattered little to me that it changed later and Wicksy (kind of) got his act together. Turns out that this whole thing with Wicksy sends Charlie out on a journey to question himself and his gender. How he feels, what makes him happy and I would’ve loved to go on this journey with him if it wasn’t for Wicksy. I just couldn’t bear with him any longer.
And one last thing because Wicksy is obv the book-boyfriend you were looking for:
But also it’s hot… because I can see how turned on you are.” He paused to catch his breath. “With girls… they could be faking it. With you… I’ll know it’s real when you come.”
This dude obv never payed close attention when he was with a women or these poor girls really aways had to fake it with him. *lmaooo I mean, sure, physically it is way subtler how women climax compared to men but hell there are telltale signs.
All in all, despite the appealing premise ⇢ not recommended!
April 17, 2019
There's not many people do this type of sexual exploration and awakening quite as well as Jay does as far as I'm concerned.
He's a master at not only handling the awkwardness of someone realising their sexuality isn't what they'd always expected, but also at bringing in the inadvertent hurt that can come alongside someone exploring how they express gender as well.
With this one, there's a double dose of confusion as each of the men in this pairing has some way to go in working out just what their emotions are telling them.
For Wicksy aka Simon, it's knowing that underneath the sexy hot Lady Gogo is a man and coming to terms with the fact he loves the femininity of a drag queen but also the male bodily parts.
For Charlie it's realising that exploring his feminine side doesn't necessarily mean he wants to change his gender and become a woman.
Together the progression of their relationship starts as a hot and a little bit kinky hook up and moves into genuine feelings as Charlie's feminine layers peel back more and Simon continues to be attracted to the person he finds underneath.
The sex in this starts off all kinky and dirty talk, which both men are turned on by, it's not just Simon pretending he's with a woman, but turns into a very much mutually loving connection.
Most of the angst comes from Simon working his way through his feelings about Charlie's gender and how he deals with it felt relatable to me.
I loved both characters, they're each full of awareness that they could be on the verge of something special and their relatively young ages (20 and 24) never actually came across as anything other than mature enough to know their own minds.
There's great support from the other Rainbow Place cast and we get to meet journalist Quentin again, who I hope is going to be the subject of book five.
No sign of his significant other on the horizon though if it will be his romance next. This whole series is a delight though.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
He's a master at not only handling the awkwardness of someone realising their sexuality isn't what they'd always expected, but also at bringing in the inadvertent hurt that can come alongside someone exploring how they express gender as well.
With this one, there's a double dose of confusion as each of the men in this pairing has some way to go in working out just what their emotions are telling them.
For Wicksy aka Simon, it's knowing that underneath the sexy hot Lady Gogo is a man and coming to terms with the fact he loves the femininity of a drag queen but also the male bodily parts.
For Charlie it's realising that exploring his feminine side doesn't necessarily mean he wants to change his gender and become a woman.
Together the progression of their relationship starts as a hot and a little bit kinky hook up and moves into genuine feelings as Charlie's feminine layers peel back more and Simon continues to be attracted to the person he finds underneath.
The sex in this starts off all kinky and dirty talk, which both men are turned on by, it's not just Simon pretending he's with a woman, but turns into a very much mutually loving connection.
Most of the angst comes from Simon working his way through his feelings about Charlie's gender and how he deals with it felt relatable to me.
I loved both characters, they're each full of awareness that they could be on the verge of something special and their relatively young ages (20 and 24) never actually came across as anything other than mature enough to know their own minds.
There's great support from the other Rainbow Place cast and we get to meet journalist Quentin again, who I hope is going to be the subject of book five.
No sign of his significant other on the horizon though if it will be his romance next. This whole series is a delight though.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Read
April 14, 2019This is the 4th book in the Rainbow Place series.
It features Wicksy (Cam's housemate from book 2) along with Charlie (aka Lady Gogo who appears in book 3). It was fun to write. I always love self-discovery stories, and this one has a double helping with both sexuality and gender questioning.
If you decide to give it a try I hope you enjoy it :)
It features Wicksy (Cam's housemate from book 2) along with Charlie (aka Lady Gogo who appears in book 3). It was fun to write. I always love self-discovery stories, and this one has a double helping with both sexuality and gender questioning.
If you decide to give it a try I hope you enjoy it :)
April 27, 2019
I was anxiously looking forward to this story. I know, I know…that doesn’t sound right. But here’s the thing, I’ve struggled with this series so far and I really really wanted to shake my JN funk. I’m not exactly sure what happened but I lost my normal groove with the previous couples in this series and was feeling down and out about it. Despite that, I had high hopes for Wicksy and Lady Gogo and was extremely pleased that I’ve found my way again…I adored it. Granted there were parts when I started to narrow my eyes and huff with displeasure but the characters read my mind and literally spoke what I was thinking. My ‘oh no, don’t you dare think you’re going to get away with that!’ was echoed on the pages and I was thrilled to be in sync again. *happy dance* I got them, I ached for them, and I rejoiced with them! What a glorious feeling. Both Simon and Charlie venture down rocky paths but find solid ground with a sense of place and a sense of peace in each other’s arms. Mud & Lace is a beautiful pursuit of happiness and celebration of revelations.
What's to like: You are who you are, but we are not always in a position to see every facet of ourselves. Life is about change & growth and best lived when we stop fighting the inevitable. You may not see a piece of yourself for decades and there is nothing wrong with that. Life is not static and our bodies are far from it. It only seems natural that we understand our intricacies on a deeper level as we progress further along on our journey. Simon believed he was heterosexual and although he has no qualms with his queer friends, he never envisioned himself living any differently. That is until a certain someone caught his attention. The regular drag queen performing at Rainbow Place sends his body into overdrive. He’s very aware that in this case, the vision that has entranced him is a masquerade. But Lady Gogo is not a person of deception but of truth. Dressing in drag grants Charlie freedom and he gives himself permission to let go of all expectations, including his own, and just be. He finds his salvation in a pair of stilettos and long lashes. It was a delicate dance and I was captivated from the beginning.
What's to love: It wasn’t only Simon and Charlie that swept me off my feet but their story gripped me. I was nervous, excited, and relieved. I enjoyed watching Charlie as his personal journey transpired. The confidence Lady Gogo boasted slowly found its way to their everyday mirror. He questioned himself and found the answers he was searching for. Embracing a flexible frame of mind unlocked self-acceptance. Simon’s quest held a bit more frustrations but at least I wasn’t alone. Cam, Alex and even his family helped him along the way. Through it all, it felt authentic. Each individual journey belongs to one person and one person alone. Above all, that sentiment rang loud and true. As much as I loved Simon, Charlie, and Lady Gogo, I was totally smitten with the moms. Top it off with a pair of amazing best mates and this cast was stellar. I’m so grateful I kept swimming with this series, it would have been unfortunate if I’d miss this one.
Beware of: A wayward journey with dirty talk, covert hookups, and a rewarding reveal.
This book is for: If you are looking for a wonderful story of sexual awakening and sexual liberation, look no further, this is it!
Book UNfunk
What's to like: You are who you are, but we are not always in a position to see every facet of ourselves. Life is about change & growth and best lived when we stop fighting the inevitable. You may not see a piece of yourself for decades and there is nothing wrong with that. Life is not static and our bodies are far from it. It only seems natural that we understand our intricacies on a deeper level as we progress further along on our journey. Simon believed he was heterosexual and although he has no qualms with his queer friends, he never envisioned himself living any differently. That is until a certain someone caught his attention. The regular drag queen performing at Rainbow Place sends his body into overdrive. He’s very aware that in this case, the vision that has entranced him is a masquerade. But Lady Gogo is not a person of deception but of truth. Dressing in drag grants Charlie freedom and he gives himself permission to let go of all expectations, including his own, and just be. He finds his salvation in a pair of stilettos and long lashes. It was a delicate dance and I was captivated from the beginning.
What's to love: It wasn’t only Simon and Charlie that swept me off my feet but their story gripped me. I was nervous, excited, and relieved. I enjoyed watching Charlie as his personal journey transpired. The confidence Lady Gogo boasted slowly found its way to their everyday mirror. He questioned himself and found the answers he was searching for. Embracing a flexible frame of mind unlocked self-acceptance. Simon’s quest held a bit more frustrations but at least I wasn’t alone. Cam, Alex and even his family helped him along the way. Through it all, it felt authentic. Each individual journey belongs to one person and one person alone. Above all, that sentiment rang loud and true. As much as I loved Simon, Charlie, and Lady Gogo, I was totally smitten with the moms. Top it off with a pair of amazing best mates and this cast was stellar. I’m so grateful I kept swimming with this series, it would have been unfortunate if I’d miss this one.
Beware of: A wayward journey with dirty talk, covert hookups, and a rewarding reveal.
This book is for: If you are looking for a wonderful story of sexual awakening and sexual liberation, look no further, this is it!
Book UNfunk
October 25, 2019
I was looking forward to reading Charlie's story and I fell in love with him, especially his honesty to himself. If I'm honest, I struggled with Simon and it took me almost to the end to warm to him. I get he was confused and scared of coming out, but he hurt Charlie on a number of occasions so put himself right on my shit list and had to work to get off it.
November 22, 2023
Well done!! 👏👏
I enjoyed this more than I thought after reading some negative reviews—don’t let them dissuade you from reading or listening to this book.
I thought the sexual discovery well done and not rushed.
Straight guy attracted to drag queen
Has sex with drag queen in drag
Wants more of the queen
Then wants more of the man
Queen decides to have sex in drag
Likes it
Starts playing around with gender expression out of drag
Great narration!
I enjoyed this more than I thought after reading some negative reviews—don’t let them dissuade you from reading or listening to this book.
I thought the sexual discovery well done and not rushed.
Straight guy attracted to drag queen
Has sex with drag queen in drag
Wants more of the queen
Then wants more of the man
Queen decides to have sex in drag
Likes it
Starts playing around with gender expression out of drag
Great narration!
April 24, 2019
Mud & Lace (Rainbow Place, #4)
After I finished Better Place (Rainbow Place #3), I knew I'd read Mud & Lace but admit I was a bit nervous. Books about closet cases can sometimes go awry for me but had to give it a go for Lady Gogo.
I had some preconceived notions going in and thought my trepidations would prove right, but fortunately, they were wrong.
Highlights:
-Charlie, aka Lady Gogo, wasn't at all what I was expecting, and that was a good thing. Behind the confident drag queen is a young man embracing himself. Jay Northcote excelled at showing us the person behind the custome.
-Simon, aka Wicksy, the total opposite of Charlie. It took me a little longer to warm up to him- because of my preconceived notions. I pulled a Cam. You'll know what I mean when you read the book.
++Both main characters made me care for them. I could feel their confusion and fear and then it's as if I could feel their weight lift when they started to accept themselves.
-Dual POVs
-Chemistry, JN knows how to write hot sex scenes, so this is a given.
-It's always lovely to see past characters and see them doing well. Ffs I talk about them like they're real people. lol
-The end is HFN. I would've rated higher if the epilogue had given me a little more. I get that they're young, but I don't know- the epilogue whore in me wanted a little more.
Can this be read as a standalone? Yes, but be warned you will see past characters in the story.
All in all, I was left happy at the end. Jay Northcote did an excellent job with Mud & Lace. It's a story about self-discovery, friends, family, and acceptance.
4 Stars
May 5, 2019
"Mud & Lace" is the fourth book in Jay Northcote's "Rainbow Place" series and the one with the most interesting title.
Wicksy is a straight rugby player with a crush on Lady Gogo, the drag queen who performs at Rainbow Place once a month. He knows that under the make up and the glitter is actually a guy but that doesn't make his infatuation any less intense. He is smitten with her and does everything he can to approach her. And yes he keeps thinking of Lady Gogo as a her even after he starts forming a connection with the person beneath the costume.
Charlie is a quiet guy that doesn't like to ruffle feathers. Once he puts on his fabulous clothes and perfect make up though it's like he's becoming a whole other person. He's braver, louder and has more self-confidence. He has started discovering new things about himself in the past year and slowly he takes a journey to self discovery. Performing as Lady Gogo is only the first step but the catalyst is him meeting Wicksy.
Together they experiment and each learns new things about himself that he has to come to terms with. Their relationship started out as casual hookups but that didn't last very long. They were so drawn to each other that they began spending more time together, talking and really getting to know one another. The secrecy is were all the drama came from as Wicksy wasn't out as bi or pan and Charlie didn't want people to make the connection that he was Lady Gogo.
I liked that we got to follow Charlie's journey to self discovery. He struggled to understand his wants and needs and to figure out how he felt about something when he wasn't affected by other people's reactons but in the end he had a much better understanding of who he was.
They are both lucky to have strong support systems and people wanting the best for them in their lives. Charlie's mother was amazing in her support and encuragement of Charlie's efforts to find his real self. Wicksy had mainly friends around him but his family was pretty great as well. I liked that there was no homophobic character to create drama. Everyone was pretty open minded and just wanted their loved ones to be happy.
Up until about 70% I had a blast with this story, but then came Charlie's pressure for Wicksy to come out. I'm never a fan of this plotline.... Charlie wasn't so much pushy as he was passive aggressive in his desire to stop hinding their relationship, the result was the same though. Wicksy felt like he had to decide between coming out at his own time and losing Charlie or keeping Charlie and coming out immediately. I get that it was hard for Charlie to hide and that he hated feeling like a secret but that kind of ultimatume is guaranteed to affect my rating.
I have no idea who the next couple is going to be but I'm certain we haven't seen the last of Rainbow Place yet and so I'll make sure to keep an eye out for any updates!
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review. *
Wicksy is a straight rugby player with a crush on Lady Gogo, the drag queen who performs at Rainbow Place once a month. He knows that under the make up and the glitter is actually a guy but that doesn't make his infatuation any less intense. He is smitten with her and does everything he can to approach her. And yes he keeps thinking of Lady Gogo as a her even after he starts forming a connection with the person beneath the costume.
Charlie is a quiet guy that doesn't like to ruffle feathers. Once he puts on his fabulous clothes and perfect make up though it's like he's becoming a whole other person. He's braver, louder and has more self-confidence. He has started discovering new things about himself in the past year and slowly he takes a journey to self discovery. Performing as Lady Gogo is only the first step but the catalyst is him meeting Wicksy.
Together they experiment and each learns new things about himself that he has to come to terms with. Their relationship started out as casual hookups but that didn't last very long. They were so drawn to each other that they began spending more time together, talking and really getting to know one another. The secrecy is were all the drama came from as Wicksy wasn't out as bi or pan and Charlie didn't want people to make the connection that he was Lady Gogo.
I liked that we got to follow Charlie's journey to self discovery. He struggled to understand his wants and needs and to figure out how he felt about something when he wasn't affected by other people's reactons but in the end he had a much better understanding of who he was.
They are both lucky to have strong support systems and people wanting the best for them in their lives. Charlie's mother was amazing in her support and encuragement of Charlie's efforts to find his real self. Wicksy had mainly friends around him but his family was pretty great as well. I liked that there was no homophobic character to create drama. Everyone was pretty open minded and just wanted their loved ones to be happy.
Up until about 70% I had a blast with this story, but then came Charlie's pressure for Wicksy to come out. I'm never a fan of this plotline.... Charlie wasn't so much pushy as he was passive aggressive in his desire to stop hinding their relationship, the result was the same though. Wicksy felt like he had to decide between coming out at his own time and losing Charlie or keeping Charlie and coming out immediately. I get that it was hard for Charlie to hide and that he hated feeling like a secret but that kind of ultimatume is guaranteed to affect my rating.
I have no idea who the next couple is going to be but I'm certain we haven't seen the last of Rainbow Place yet and so I'll make sure to keep an eye out for any updates!
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review. *
June 13, 2021
I enjoyed this book but I didn’t love it. I loved little Charlie and I thought Simon was sweet but he took some warming up to. All the side characters were amazing especially Charlie’s mom, Cam, and Drew. It was a lot of fun to watch Charlie and Simon trying to figure out their sexuality and gender and I thought the author did a good job with that. It isn’t so black and white I’ve come to realized it can be difficult to figure out where you stand and belong. So Charlie finally figures out he’s gender fluid and Simon and everyone is very supportive. Simon figures out he might be bi or pan but was a bit on the wary side when it came to coming out. But when he finally figures his shit out they live happily ever after I guess. I skimmed towards the end and they were kind of broken up so I would’ve liked an epilogue with them. The ending seemed like a HNF but all in all it was a fun read.
May 23, 2019
3.5 stars
‘Mud & Lace’ is quintessential Jay Northcote - sweet and sexy with some feels.
Simon is a total lad. He’s in to rugby, beer, and the ladies. He’s also totally comfortable with his LGBT friends, and hanging out at the local gay hotspot.
But falling for a drag queen catches Simon completely off guard.
Charlie loves drag. It gives him the freedom and confidence to explore different sides of himself. He’s down to fool around with Simon, if only for the novelty of the hot straight jock.
But things get complicated pretty quickly.
I was a bit skeptical at first. The “straight-boy-and-the-queer is a common trope in MM. But it’s one thing to be attracted to androgynous or cross-dressing men; it’s quite another to ignore your sexual partner’s gender all-together.
Luckily, I didn’t have to worry. Simon gets over his initial hang-ups pretty quickly, and he’s in it just as much for Charlie’s pleasure as his own.
From the moment they give in to their attraction, Charlie and Simon are on fire. They give and take in equal measures, and indulge their kinky sides for some hot action!
Feelings enter the picture gradually. What starts off as just some fun becomes a friendship. Simon and Charlie find themselves wanting to share parts of their lives with each other, and both slowly let their guards down.
There are two major themes in this book - discovery and acceptance. Both go hand-in-hand for our MCs.
For Simon, it’s his sexuality. And for Charlie, it’s his gender identity. I loved how their relationship grew as each man became more comfortable with his fluidity.
Also loved the supportive moms!
It takes some work, but Charlie and Simon work out how to be open about who they are and what they mean to each other. The ending is a strong HFN, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of them in future books!
‘Mud & Lace’ is quintessential Jay Northcote - sweet and sexy with some feels.
Simon is a total lad. He’s in to rugby, beer, and the ladies. He’s also totally comfortable with his LGBT friends, and hanging out at the local gay hotspot.
But falling for a drag queen catches Simon completely off guard.
Charlie loves drag. It gives him the freedom and confidence to explore different sides of himself. He’s down to fool around with Simon, if only for the novelty of the hot straight jock.
But things get complicated pretty quickly.
I was a bit skeptical at first. The “straight-boy-and-the-queer is a common trope in MM. But it’s one thing to be attracted to androgynous or cross-dressing men; it’s quite another to ignore your sexual partner’s gender all-together.
Luckily, I didn’t have to worry. Simon gets over his initial hang-ups pretty quickly, and he’s in it just as much for Charlie’s pleasure as his own.
From the moment they give in to their attraction, Charlie and Simon are on fire. They give and take in equal measures, and indulge their kinky sides for some hot action!
Feelings enter the picture gradually. What starts off as just some fun becomes a friendship. Simon and Charlie find themselves wanting to share parts of their lives with each other, and both slowly let their guards down.
There are two major themes in this book - discovery and acceptance. Both go hand-in-hand for our MCs.
For Simon, it’s his sexuality. And for Charlie, it’s his gender identity. I loved how their relationship grew as each man became more comfortable with his fluidity.
Also loved the supportive moms!
It takes some work, but Charlie and Simon work out how to be open about who they are and what they mean to each other. The ending is a strong HFN, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of them in future books!
June 6, 2022
Simon is straight and is attracted to Charlie who dresses in drag as Lady Gogo. The entire premise is about Simon questioning his sexuality because he’s attracted to a guy in drag and Charlie is trying to sort out how he feels about himself and how he wants to present himself in public. My brain totally understands that each of them had things they were dealing with, but I had a hard time with Simon pretending Charlie was a women at the beginning of the book. I know Charlie was okay with it in the beginning, but it just felt wrong the way Simon spoke to him and it bothered me on Charlie’s behalf. It felt too much like a hook-up where Simon was using Charlie. The way each sorted things out for themself and the progression of their relationship was interesting but I just couldn’t help but feel bad about how Simon treated Charlie through most of the book. I liked how Charlie finally stood up for himself in the end, but I would have preferred an epilogue that featured them as more of an established couple to solidify it.
April 19, 2019
Mud and Lace is the story of Simon AKA Wicksy, the rugby player we met earlier in this series, and Charlie AKA Lady GoGo, the drag queen who performs at Rainbow Place.
I was really looking forward to getting Simon and Charlie's story - a character questioning his sexuality after he meets a drag queen? Yes, please! I really enjoyed how Jay wrote both characters, and how they both had some realizations and self-discovery to find out along the way. It wasn't just Simon that had to learn things about himself, but Charlie, too. And Charlie is just a sweetie, I absolutely loved him. I loved how caring he was, his great relationship with his mother, and how he came to discover and embrace his gender fluidity.
I admit, it took me a bit longer to warm up to Simon - he seemed so crass at the beginning, almost bordering that line of d-bag with his lack of caring for Charlie and obsession with Lady GoGo, and I worried about how things would go down between them. And then when he's trying to figure out how to come out so he can have a real relationship with Charlie - he had such a supportive group of friends and what seemed to be a great family, so I felt like his hesitation was possibly somewhat unwarranted? I kinda wished he had stood up a bit more for Charlie on his own and earlier on, but I get you need some conflict and story.
Overall, I really enjoyed their story - their chemistry was great together, and I loved how gradually Simon saw the beauty in Charlie as himself, not as a drag queen. I love this group of friends that all revolve around Rainbow Place and look forward to the next book!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I was really looking forward to getting Simon and Charlie's story - a character questioning his sexuality after he meets a drag queen? Yes, please! I really enjoyed how Jay wrote both characters, and how they both had some realizations and self-discovery to find out along the way. It wasn't just Simon that had to learn things about himself, but Charlie, too. And Charlie is just a sweetie, I absolutely loved him. I loved how caring he was, his great relationship with his mother, and how he came to discover and embrace his gender fluidity.
I admit, it took me a bit longer to warm up to Simon - he seemed so crass at the beginning, almost bordering that line of d-bag with his lack of caring for Charlie and obsession with Lady GoGo, and I worried about how things would go down between them. And then when he's trying to figure out how to come out so he can have a real relationship with Charlie - he had such a supportive group of friends and what seemed to be a great family, so I felt like his hesitation was possibly somewhat unwarranted? I kinda wished he had stood up a bit more for Charlie on his own and earlier on, but I get you need some conflict and story.
Overall, I really enjoyed their story - their chemistry was great together, and I loved how gradually Simon saw the beauty in Charlie as himself, not as a drag queen. I love this group of friends that all revolve around Rainbow Place and look forward to the next book!
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2019
The blurb for this book is pretty intriguing, and I have been looking forward to it for quite a while. And it was a real hit! Jay manages to address some complex issues in a very approachable and sensitive way here.
With Charlie questioning his gender and Simon figuring out his sexual orientation, this could have been super heavy and angsty. Although I could have done with a tiny touch more of the latter (but that’s on me), I really enjoyed how their relationship and respective personal journeys develop.
Charlie exploring all angles of his feminine side to gradually discover which presentation is right for him is brilliantly done. Between his drag queen persona, Lady Gogo, and Charlie, the guy, he tries out various shades of male and female to see what fits him most.
Simon is having a really difficult time to understand his attraction to Charlie to start with and to ‘label’ his orientation. Thank God for good friends who point him in the right direction!
I thoroughly enjoyed the way these two guys explore each other and find way more than sex in the long run. I particularly loved how the dynamic between the two men shifts from Simon fancying a drag queen, to two guys who have fallen in love and accept all parts of each other.
For me, one of the best books by Jay!
With Charlie questioning his gender and Simon figuring out his sexual orientation, this could have been super heavy and angsty. Although I could have done with a tiny touch more of the latter (but that’s on me), I really enjoyed how their relationship and respective personal journeys develop.
Charlie exploring all angles of his feminine side to gradually discover which presentation is right for him is brilliantly done. Between his drag queen persona, Lady Gogo, and Charlie, the guy, he tries out various shades of male and female to see what fits him most.
Simon is having a really difficult time to understand his attraction to Charlie to start with and to ‘label’ his orientation. Thank God for good friends who point him in the right direction!
I thoroughly enjoyed the way these two guys explore each other and find way more than sex in the long run. I particularly loved how the dynamic between the two men shifts from Simon fancying a drag queen, to two guys who have fallen in love and accept all parts of each other.
For me, one of the best books by Jay!
April 23, 2019
Lady Gogo finally has her story and opportunity in love with Wicksy. The characters from previous books are present especially Cam and Alex and I loved it, Alex is my favorite character from this series.
To be honest it took me a while to get this book because it seemed that Wicksy just liked Charlie dressed as a girl and not for Charlie himself. But as soon Lady Gogo changes into Charlie and he and Wicksy started their romance as they really were I couldn't close the book.
Another excellent book from Jay Northcote from the Rainbow Place series.
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
To be honest it took me a while to get this book because it seemed that Wicksy just liked Charlie dressed as a girl and not for Charlie himself. But as soon Lady Gogo changes into Charlie and he and Wicksy started their romance as they really were I couldn't close the book.
Another excellent book from Jay Northcote from the Rainbow Place series.
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2020
4.5
Da un po' Jay ha iniziato a inserire personaggi che coprono tutto lo spettro LGBT e questo dà una marcia in più a ogni libro. in questo, grazie a una storia d'amore, spiega benissimo cosa vuol dire essere non-binary e pansessuale. Super-consigliato.
Da un po' Jay ha iniziato a inserire personaggi che coprono tutto lo spettro LGBT e questo dà una marcia in più a ogni libro. in questo, grazie a una storia d'amore, spiega benissimo cosa vuol dire essere non-binary e pansessuale. Super-consigliato.
April 28, 2019
In the earlier book, I was really curious about the drag queen in Seb's Rainbow Place, Lady Gogo. And also Wicksy, a very straight guy, who's only 'attracted' to women when it comes to date. But Lady Gogo is like, exaggerated version of femininity. So, it makes him extra straight, right?
Jay is the master of 'denial' in his stories, so yeah, I was kinda had to face Wicksy's denial when it comes to his attraction to Lady Gogo.
It's not only Wicksy, but Charlie also insecure about his side of his femininity, he covered it with being Lady Gogo once a month in Seb's place.
Two guys, struggled with their sexual orientation and preferences and Jay tells the story the way I liked it.
Light, but also with loads of feelings gave me teary eyes when I read it.
Mud & Lace was a very entertaining read, not just because I'm a sucker for this kind of story, but also, the way Jay portray the conflict and put the strong chemistry between Wicksy and Charlie.
Mud & lace has easily becomes my favorite of this series.
Well done, Jay!
Jay is the master of 'denial' in his stories, so yeah, I was kinda had to face Wicksy's denial when it comes to his attraction to Lady Gogo.
It's not only Wicksy, but Charlie also insecure about his side of his femininity, he covered it with being Lady Gogo once a month in Seb's place.
Two guys, struggled with their sexual orientation and preferences and Jay tells the story the way I liked it.
Light, but also with loads of feelings gave me teary eyes when I read it.
Mud & Lace was a very entertaining read, not just because I'm a sucker for this kind of story, but also, the way Jay portray the conflict and put the strong chemistry between Wicksy and Charlie.
Mud & lace has easily becomes my favorite of this series.
Well done, Jay!
January 10, 2020
I wasn’t sure about this book for me I am not a big fan of Fem guys in my stories but that is just me. And that is ok. But I am so glad I kept going because I loved their story. Simon really grew as a character for me and Charlie oh Charlie he came into himself I loved it.
I love them; I loved the friendships and the chemistry. You really don’t miss the older characters either because we get a little dose of them in this story too.
The mothers in this book my gosh my heart. I loved their acceptance. <3 Kindred spirits them and I.
Again the narration was spot on. Loved it Hamish is my new narrator crush.
I love them; I loved the friendships and the chemistry. You really don’t miss the older characters either because we get a little dose of them in this story too.
The mothers in this book my gosh my heart. I loved their acceptance. <3 Kindred spirits them and I.
Again the narration was spot on. Loved it Hamish is my new narrator crush.
April 26, 2019
4.25 stars from me. I like this gentle series set in Cornwall, and as is usual for me with Jay's stories, I learned something 👩🎓...being educated in gender identity in a really nice way. The connection between Charlie [Lady Gogo] was there whether Simon [Wicksy] wanted to acknowledge it or not. Hayden was a good character...the jury's still out for me as far as Scott is concerned, but Wicksy knows that Cam and the boys from the rugby team have got his back and it sounds as though everyone is OK with his switch from girls to boys 😉, and why not??
Will we get a story about a certain local journalist I wonder??
Will we get a story about a certain local journalist I wonder??
May 1, 2019
<4 Stars
It’s always a bit tricky when a story starts off with a “straight” guy falling for the first time into the murky waters of trying to figure out just where he may fit on the rainbow scale. I felt so protective of Charlie, I was a tad tense through most of this book. It turned out the tension worked for me because I was invested in the journey. I liked that Simon wasn’t the only character trying to figure himself out. I think we all struggle somewhat with trying to get to know who we really are and I rather enjoyed tagging along with Charlie while he was doing just that.
It’s always a bit tricky when a story starts off with a “straight” guy falling for the first time into the murky waters of trying to figure out just where he may fit on the rainbow scale. I felt so protective of Charlie, I was a tad tense through most of this book. It turned out the tension worked for me because I was invested in the journey. I liked that Simon wasn’t the only character trying to figure himself out. I think we all struggle somewhat with trying to get to know who we really are and I rather enjoyed tagging along with Charlie while he was doing just that.
July 15, 2020
Delizioso 😍😍😍 Come sempre le storie di Jay sono un rifugio di dolcezza ed è un piacere leggerle
April 30, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
I’ve been reading the Rainbow Place series all along, and I’m really enjoying the vast array of characters who continue to play a role in every book. Wicksy has been there from practically the beginning, when he and his rugby team helped Seb put Rainbow Place back together in time for opening. Charlie is a new addition, having shown up for the first time in the previous book, Better Place. I was really interested to see the dichotomy between them as they both discover the truth about themselves.
Northcote does a fantastic job with both Simon and Charlie as they explore different aspects about themselves. It really starts with Simon, who can’t explain his attraction to someone who he knows is male, but who acts and presents as female. When the two begin fooling around, Simon does a bit of explaining to himself, and others, about how it could possibly work. But as his feelings for Charlie grow, I loved seeing Simon really dig in and figure out where his sexuality fell on the spectrum. And I loved that he had valid and real questions and concerns, that he voiced them and worked through them. It made his whole journey feel real and believable.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4 stars
I’ve been reading the Rainbow Place series all along, and I’m really enjoying the vast array of characters who continue to play a role in every book. Wicksy has been there from practically the beginning, when he and his rugby team helped Seb put Rainbow Place back together in time for opening. Charlie is a new addition, having shown up for the first time in the previous book, Better Place. I was really interested to see the dichotomy between them as they both discover the truth about themselves.
Northcote does a fantastic job with both Simon and Charlie as they explore different aspects about themselves. It really starts with Simon, who can’t explain his attraction to someone who he knows is male, but who acts and presents as female. When the two begin fooling around, Simon does a bit of explaining to himself, and others, about how it could possibly work. But as his feelings for Charlie grow, I loved seeing Simon really dig in and figure out where his sexuality fell on the spectrum. And I loved that he had valid and real questions and concerns, that he voiced them and worked through them. It made his whole journey feel real and believable.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
December 24, 2019
I enjoyed reading the previous three books, but this story is definitely my favourite in the series. It was a real page turner. I loved the overall storyline, the main characters, the writing, and the ‘kinky’ sex between ‘straight’ hunky rugby player, Simon, and Charlie, who is in the process of exploring his feminine side and dresses accordingly.
Their relationship development is well-paced. The initial sexual attraction and steamy encounters are hot, but gradually this moves beyond the physical as the two men fall in love and at the same time learn more about themselves. Bravo, Jay. This is a wonderful addition to the series.
Their relationship development is well-paced. The initial sexual attraction and steamy encounters are hot, but gradually this moves beyond the physical as the two men fall in love and at the same time learn more about themselves. Bravo, Jay. This is a wonderful addition to the series.
April 18, 2019
Self discovery is a vast, scary, exhausting experience and one that isn't easy to express. Jay Northcote has taken this delicate notion and created a wildly romantic, generous tale of two men united in their journey and given them both the words and means to support each other and has done it with excellence.
Charlie's character has always had a feminine side. He's been ashamed and scared of showing it...afraid of his friends opinions as well as his mother. When he takes the chance to dress up and sing as Lady Gogo at Rainbow Place, he finally feels like a piece of the puzzle has snapped into place.
Simon 'Wicksy' Wicks is straight. And has feelings for a guy who dresses as a girl. But he's still straight, right?
At first I was worried for the obvious reasons. Was Wicksy really taking advantage of Charlie by ignoring the masculine side of him and flaunting the femme? Jay quickly dispelled that thought when the characters voiced their own worry.
Things weren't easy, but the support of family and friends allowed each of them to acknowledge and accept what they felt was true and real for them. It was amazing to read and get to know both Simon and Charlie. The intense feelings between them were palpable.
I've loved each book in this series, but I have to admit... I've been waiting for Wicksy's story. He's intrigued me from the start and Jay Northcote did NOT disappoint. I loved this book. I loved how carefully played out it all was. It was crafted with intent and so very well done. Do yourself a favor and read this awesome tale of love and awareness.
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/*
Charlie's character has always had a feminine side. He's been ashamed and scared of showing it...afraid of his friends opinions as well as his mother. When he takes the chance to dress up and sing as Lady Gogo at Rainbow Place, he finally feels like a piece of the puzzle has snapped into place.
Simon 'Wicksy' Wicks is straight. And has feelings for a guy who dresses as a girl. But he's still straight, right?
At first I was worried for the obvious reasons. Was Wicksy really taking advantage of Charlie by ignoring the masculine side of him and flaunting the femme? Jay quickly dispelled that thought when the characters voiced their own worry.
Things weren't easy, but the support of family and friends allowed each of them to acknowledge and accept what they felt was true and real for them. It was amazing to read and get to know both Simon and Charlie. The intense feelings between them were palpable.
I've loved each book in this series, but I have to admit... I've been waiting for Wicksy's story. He's intrigued me from the start and Jay Northcote did NOT disappoint. I loved this book. I loved how carefully played out it all was. It was crafted with intent and so very well done. Do yourself a favor and read this awesome tale of love and awareness.
*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/*
May 15, 2020
This was great! I love some cross-dressing book's, especially when the crossdresser is gender fluid.
I loved watching both of these men's transition in their own way. Refreshingly no unnecessary angst or drama considering the secrets and situations they find themselves in.
So much sex, but it was all very hot!! They even used my favourite P word during sex, in fact that could have been ramped up a bit.
Will be an ongoing reread for sure!
I loved watching both of these men's transition in their own way. Refreshingly no unnecessary angst or drama considering the secrets and situations they find themselves in.
So much sex, but it was all very hot!! They even used my favourite P word during sex, in fact that could have been ramped up a bit.
Will be an ongoing reread for sure!
April 25, 2019
While it doesn’t follow the same pattern as previous titles, I’ve got to say that the title is perfect.
Wicksy is a rugby player who finds himself attracted to drag queen, Charlie, aka Lady Gogo.
What starts as a series of hookups while Charlie is dressed as his Lady Gogo persona, soon turns to something more as Wicksy starts accepting and falling for the man under the makeup.
This book has some of the hottest sex scenes Jay has ever written. I love that Charlie is willing to experiment with Wicksy, knowing he could get hurt. He even learns something about himself, that he gets off on Wicksy’s dirty words and feminization.
Jay is one of my favorite authors and this book didn’t disappoint.
*i received an ARC for review
Wicksy is a rugby player who finds himself attracted to drag queen, Charlie, aka Lady Gogo.
What starts as a series of hookups while Charlie is dressed as his Lady Gogo persona, soon turns to something more as Wicksy starts accepting and falling for the man under the makeup.
This book has some of the hottest sex scenes Jay has ever written. I love that Charlie is willing to experiment with Wicksy, knowing he could get hurt. He even learns something about himself, that he gets off on Wicksy’s dirty words and feminization.
Jay is one of my favorite authors and this book didn’t disappoint.
*i received an ARC for review
January 13, 2021
I loved everything about the story!
(Also it was really wholesome, everyone was communicating their feelings and points of view, and i loved it!!)
but for some reason i wasn't all that emotionally invested in it :c
(Also it was really wholesome, everyone was communicating their feelings and points of view, and i loved it!!)
but for some reason i wasn't all that emotionally invested in it :c
July 6, 2020
voto libro: 4.5
per leggere la recensione in blog cliccare qui: https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
per leggere la recensione in blog cliccare qui: https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
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