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Lexington Lovers #3
Acte deux
L’amour suit une courbe d’apprentissage abrupte.
Proviseur adjoint au lycée Henry Clay, Blake Barnes a tout ce qu’il désire : une chance d’aider des étudiants en difficulté et un exutoire à sa passion pour le théâtre. Enfin, presque tout – personne ne l’attend chez lui. Et voilà que son béguin du lycée fait un retour explosif dans sa vie en la personne du tuteur inattendu de deux garçons qui se trouvent sous sa responsabilité.
Thane Dalton a toujours été un bad boy pur et dur. Peu de choses ont changé depuis l’époque du lycée, y compris la méfiance qu’il éprouve envers les représentants de l’autorité, et aucune bureaucratie institutionnelle ne l’empêchera de protéger ses neveux des petits caïds qui les terrorisent. Si cela veut dire se prendre la tête avec Blake, ainsi soit-il.
Blake et Thane ont chacun des leçons à apprendre et notamment qu’ils ont tous les deux les intérêts des garçons à cœur, mais aussi que la tension qui couve entre eux n’est pas seulement conflictuelle et que des étincelles peuvent voler lorsque les contraires s’attirent.
Proviseur adjoint au lycée Henry Clay, Blake Barnes a tout ce qu’il désire : une chance d’aider des étudiants en difficulté et un exutoire à sa passion pour le théâtre. Enfin, presque tout – personne ne l’attend chez lui. Et voilà que son béguin du lycée fait un retour explosif dans sa vie en la personne du tuteur inattendu de deux garçons qui se trouvent sous sa responsabilité.
Thane Dalton a toujours été un bad boy pur et dur. Peu de choses ont changé depuis l’époque du lycée, y compris la méfiance qu’il éprouve envers les représentants de l’autorité, et aucune bureaucratie institutionnelle ne l’empêchera de protéger ses neveux des petits caïds qui les terrorisent. Si cela veut dire se prendre la tête avec Blake, ainsi soit-il.
Blake et Thane ont chacun des leçons à apprendre et notamment qu’ils ont tous les deux les intérêts des garçons à cœur, mais aussi que la tension qui couve entre eux n’est pas seulement conflictuelle et que des étincelles peuvent voler lorsque les contraires s’attirent.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2017
15 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Ariel Tachna
149 books407 followersAriel Tachna lives outside of Houston with her husband, her daughter and son, and their cat. Before moving there, she traveled all over the world, having fallen in love with both France, where she found her husband, and India, where she dreams of retiring some day. She’s bilingual with snippets of four other languages to her credit, and is as in love with languages as she is with writing.
Visit Ariel at her website http://www.arieltachna.com or on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ArielTachna, or e-mail her at arieltachna@gmail.com.
Visit Ariel at her website http://www.arieltachna.com or on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ArielTachna, or e-mail her at arieltachna@gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 19, 2017
Blake has always been a good teacher for his students.
But meeting Thane, his teenage crush lowered down his self confidence.
Definitely an opposite attracts since the beginning, Thane didn't even realized or remember about Blake back then.
He's always an arrogant one.
But after his sister left him with his two teenage nephew, he's suddenly became a parent and he seemed a little unprepared for that. Especially when he have to face bullying.
Blake offered his idea. Didn't trust Blake in the beginning, they're finally passed the barricade of awkward teacher-parent relationship, became friends, and then lovers.
This a sweet story about acceptance, grief, adjustment and a chance o be more.
Not a hard book, the bullying is light one, the nephews are both great.
This one is more of 'family building', and how to be a parent for teenagers..ouch. Not easy, I know.
This is a good book, read this one.
*ARC provided by Dreamspinner press in exchange of an honest and fair review.&
But meeting Thane, his teenage crush lowered down his self confidence.
Definitely an opposite attracts since the beginning, Thane didn't even realized or remember about Blake back then.
He's always an arrogant one.
But after his sister left him with his two teenage nephew, he's suddenly became a parent and he seemed a little unprepared for that. Especially when he have to face bullying.
Blake offered his idea. Didn't trust Blake in the beginning, they're finally passed the barricade of awkward teacher-parent relationship, became friends, and then lovers.
This a sweet story about acceptance, grief, adjustment and a chance o be more.
Not a hard book, the bullying is light one, the nephews are both great.
This one is more of 'family building', and how to be a parent for teenagers..ouch. Not easy, I know.
This is a good book, read this one.
*ARC provided by Dreamspinner press in exchange of an honest and fair review.&
September 21, 2018
Lol this is definitely an enemies to lovers story. It was so good. When you hate someone but there's chemistry, do the sparks fly. And usually attitudes and words as well lol. And boy did they. this was such a good book.
Read
May 8, 20173 Hearts
I’m sort of at a loss how to review this. I mean I liked it but where I normally feel the fluff and romance from the Dreamspun line, this one fell flat.
Told from dual POVs, we meet Blake Barnes as he is dealing with two young men, Kit and Phillip, who attend the high school where he is the Sophomore Vice Principal. Kit and Philip are in the office for fighting but they say they were only fighting because Kit was being bullied by jocks. When Blake looks up who their guardian is after learning their parents are both dead, he finds out their guardian is the boy Blake crushed on in High School; bad boy Thane Dalton.
Let me take a moment here to say that while the story truly is a romance, it focuses a lot on Thane's nephews who have been recently orphaned after their mother, Thane's sister, passed away. They lost their father when they were very young and have only been with Thane for a month when the bully situation at school escalates. Thane is doing what he can while juggling his construction business and learning how not to let his nephews nor the memory of his sister down. Blake, being the boys' vice principal, is drawn to their situation before he knows who their guardian is and begins to bond with the boys for the simple reason they are awesome kids who don't deserve to be targets of jock head jocks.
Thane is pretty much still the arrogant bad boy from high school just with a self-made business and the unconditional love for his nephews. When he meets Blake to pick up the boys, his first impression could not be more off and he judges Blake harshly. Of course, Thane has no clue he went to school with Blake and actually accuses Blake of being some spoiled rich kid. Thane is hesitant to agree to the action Blake takes with his nephews for the incident, seeing as it’s a he said/he said deal, Blake assigns Kit and Philip to work on the stage crew for the theatre department's upcoming production of Guys and Dolls. Once Thane agrees it’s better than suspension or ISS, he reluctantly offers to help out a few times since his business is in construction.
I felt for Blake so much. I get having an unrequited crush in high school come back after years and still feel as if time has reversed and you are once again a kid with a crush and not an adult. I liked that the author went with a slow burn for this romance, focusing more on the family aspect of Thane and his nephews, as well as Blake developing a relationship with the two men. Blake and Thane’s meet-cute offered the reader a chance to see the attraction Thane denied. It also let us know that Thane is still an ass man through and through.
The details of the stage crew was fun to read and I liked that the high school had supervision of the students, but ultimately let them lead the production of the play and also the construction of the set design. It also gave ample opportunity for Blake to be with Kit and Philip and an excuse for Thane to show up and ogle Blake. There were some seriously sweet moments with all of them but after Blake mentions he went to school with Thane and Thane makes the statement in the closet… it was finally on.
But then it wasn’t. Now, I get with this line there is sparse sex on the page and I am way okay with that. I don’t need on page sex to make a romance a romance for me but this was off when it came to the sex. We had some really hot and heavy lead ups between the couple that just stopped. It felt like those old commercials with the crash test dummies seeing them flying at a fast speed only to hit a wall. We got labeling Thane as an “ass man” who didn’t care if he was grabbing tits or dick while he was ass deep in someone. So I thought we would get Thane in ass deep action and well, we didn’t. I’ll be honest and say that disappointed me.
The conflict of the story made me angry. I know that Thane is learning how to parent and how to be in a relationship, but he really screwed up with Blake and I think Blake should have made him grovel way more than he did before he gave him a second chance.
Stage Two was a nice read, one that didn’t make me feel like the other stories in the line did. But the sweet moments were memorable and the end tied up everything in a pretty bow the way the series is known for.
I’m sort of at a loss how to review this. I mean I liked it but where I normally feel the fluff and romance from the Dreamspun line, this one fell flat.
Told from dual POVs, we meet Blake Barnes as he is dealing with two young men, Kit and Phillip, who attend the high school where he is the Sophomore Vice Principal. Kit and Philip are in the office for fighting but they say they were only fighting because Kit was being bullied by jocks. When Blake looks up who their guardian is after learning their parents are both dead, he finds out their guardian is the boy Blake crushed on in High School; bad boy Thane Dalton.
Let me take a moment here to say that while the story truly is a romance, it focuses a lot on Thane's nephews who have been recently orphaned after their mother, Thane's sister, passed away. They lost their father when they were very young and have only been with Thane for a month when the bully situation at school escalates. Thane is doing what he can while juggling his construction business and learning how not to let his nephews nor the memory of his sister down. Blake, being the boys' vice principal, is drawn to their situation before he knows who their guardian is and begins to bond with the boys for the simple reason they are awesome kids who don't deserve to be targets of jock head jocks.
Thane is pretty much still the arrogant bad boy from high school just with a self-made business and the unconditional love for his nephews. When he meets Blake to pick up the boys, his first impression could not be more off and he judges Blake harshly. Of course, Thane has no clue he went to school with Blake and actually accuses Blake of being some spoiled rich kid. Thane is hesitant to agree to the action Blake takes with his nephews for the incident, seeing as it’s a he said/he said deal, Blake assigns Kit and Philip to work on the stage crew for the theatre department's upcoming production of Guys and Dolls. Once Thane agrees it’s better than suspension or ISS, he reluctantly offers to help out a few times since his business is in construction.
I felt for Blake so much. I get having an unrequited crush in high school come back after years and still feel as if time has reversed and you are once again a kid with a crush and not an adult. I liked that the author went with a slow burn for this romance, focusing more on the family aspect of Thane and his nephews, as well as Blake developing a relationship with the two men. Blake and Thane’s meet-cute offered the reader a chance to see the attraction Thane denied. It also let us know that Thane is still an ass man through and through.
The details of the stage crew was fun to read and I liked that the high school had supervision of the students, but ultimately let them lead the production of the play and also the construction of the set design. It also gave ample opportunity for Blake to be with Kit and Philip and an excuse for Thane to show up and ogle Blake. There were some seriously sweet moments with all of them but after Blake mentions he went to school with Thane and Thane makes the statement in the closet… it was finally on.
But then it wasn’t. Now, I get with this line there is sparse sex on the page and I am way okay with that. I don’t need on page sex to make a romance a romance for me but this was off when it came to the sex. We had some really hot and heavy lead ups between the couple that just stopped. It felt like those old commercials with the crash test dummies seeing them flying at a fast speed only to hit a wall. We got labeling Thane as an “ass man” who didn’t care if he was grabbing tits or dick while he was ass deep in someone. So I thought we would get Thane in ass deep action and well, we didn’t. I’ll be honest and say that disappointed me.
The conflict of the story made me angry. I know that Thane is learning how to parent and how to be in a relationship, but he really screwed up with Blake and I think Blake should have made him grovel way more than he did before he gave him a second chance.
Stage Two was a nice read, one that didn’t make me feel like the other stories in the line did. But the sweet moments were memorable and the end tied up everything in a pretty bow the way the series is known for.
January 21, 2019
Okay, first…. This cover was NOTHING like I pictured either guy from this story. I would not have bought it based on that. I hate when that happens. I’m a little bit jaded, coming straight off the last book in this series, it didn’t work for me at all… however, after reading the last book in this one first, I was intrigued by Thane and Blake’s story, they seemed so in love… I just had to come back and start from the beginning.
However, in the beginning.. I HATED it! Blake is the principal at the high school that Phillip and his little brother, who happens to be gay, Kit, now goes to since losing their mother and moving in with their uncle Thane. When Phillip steps in and stops his brother from getting sexually assaulted.. THEY are the ones that get into trouble. Not the bullies, not the would-be rapists, but Kit and Phillip. Strike one. In what world is that okay? I mean, I get that America does that from time to time with rich entitled punks, but it made me sick to read about….
So, Blake as a freshman at the same high school many moons ago had a major crush on Thane, who was the bad boy who bragged about his conquests and never gave Blake a second look. So, cut to now, the big man with an attitude has some grudge with high school principals, is really rude to Blake for the first third of the book. I mean, I got it, I really did…. But not for the reason you probably think. I’m still mad that nothing got done about the would be assault of the two young teenagers. I’d be mad about that too if I was Thane, so I took his side on that one..
However, once we get to know Blake, you can clearly see how much he values and adores his students. Especially Phillip and Kit. He does want to keep them safe and out of trouble and spends a lot of time helping them adjust to life now that so much as changed for them. He was sweet and really patient with Blake’s attitude because even though I sided with him in that one instance, he really was a jerk.
It took Thane a while to come around, and actually get to know Blake, but once he did, it was easy to fall for him. I liked that he seemed to do a complete 180, and it was like he had a whole character change, except when it came to his nephews. He didn’t let anything stand in his way when it came to them… even when it costs him his new relationship with Blake.
Did I think that he jumped the gun and popped off at the mouth when he shouldn’t have? Absolutely….was he rude about it and deserved to be dumped? Maybe…. But I didn’t think it was as bad as everyone ws making it out to be I understood where he was coming from, even if his execution was way too extreme. I did get it though.
Overall though, I really enjoyed these two and I loved that they ended up a big ol’ happy family. I also loved getting to know Dorian and Derek in the next one, so if you haven’t already jumped into that one, you should.
4 stars for me with this one.
However, in the beginning.. I HATED it! Blake is the principal at the high school that Phillip and his little brother, who happens to be gay, Kit, now goes to since losing their mother and moving in with their uncle Thane. When Phillip steps in and stops his brother from getting sexually assaulted.. THEY are the ones that get into trouble. Not the bullies, not the would-be rapists, but Kit and Phillip. Strike one. In what world is that okay? I mean, I get that America does that from time to time with rich entitled punks, but it made me sick to read about….
So, Blake as a freshman at the same high school many moons ago had a major crush on Thane, who was the bad boy who bragged about his conquests and never gave Blake a second look. So, cut to now, the big man with an attitude has some grudge with high school principals, is really rude to Blake for the first third of the book. I mean, I got it, I really did…. But not for the reason you probably think. I’m still mad that nothing got done about the would be assault of the two young teenagers. I’d be mad about that too if I was Thane, so I took his side on that one..
However, once we get to know Blake, you can clearly see how much he values and adores his students. Especially Phillip and Kit. He does want to keep them safe and out of trouble and spends a lot of time helping them adjust to life now that so much as changed for them. He was sweet and really patient with Blake’s attitude because even though I sided with him in that one instance, he really was a jerk.
It took Thane a while to come around, and actually get to know Blake, but once he did, it was easy to fall for him. I liked that he seemed to do a complete 180, and it was like he had a whole character change, except when it came to his nephews. He didn’t let anything stand in his way when it came to them… even when it costs him his new relationship with Blake.
Did I think that he jumped the gun and popped off at the mouth when he shouldn’t have? Absolutely….was he rude about it and deserved to be dumped? Maybe…. But I didn’t think it was as bad as everyone ws making it out to be I understood where he was coming from, even if his execution was way too extreme. I did get it though.
Overall though, I really enjoyed these two and I loved that they ended up a big ol’ happy family. I also loved getting to know Dorian and Derek in the next one, so if you haven’t already jumped into that one, you should.
4 stars for me with this one.
March 19, 2019
From the setup to the characters, the description of this story sounded good to me. On one hand, there is Blake: an assistant high school principal worried about two of his students, the need to find a way to protect them against the bullies they’ve been facing, and the boys’ irate guardian, Thane, to deal with. A guardian who just happens to be the bad boy Blake crushed on in high school. On the other hand, there is Thane: the tough owner of a construction company in charge of his two nephews now that their parents are deceased. Blake remembers Thane, but not the other way around. Thane doesn’t think much of Blake – on any level – and the sparks between these very different men fly from the beginning.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
June 12, 2017
I struggled between giving this book three and four stars, and I ended up going with three, mainly because it was a good book but it fell apart for me a bit in the last third.
Oh Dreamspun Desires, how I love them when I'm in the mood for them. They're tropey as hell, but that is kind of the whole point. And considering that my formative romance-loving (and -reading) years were spent with Harlequins (I didn't know of any other publishers, just what were available on the racks at the local library and in the grocery store - much less anything that wasn't rigidly straight, at least until I was seventeen), I still get that itch once in a while that just needs to be scratched with tropey goodness. In fact, I have the monthly Dreamspun Desires subscription just so I can binge read the ever loving shit out of them when the urge strikes. Haha.
The tropes in this offering include: second chances, the "making a family" trope, the high school crush that still burns, the construction worker, and the principal who sticks up for your kids. ;)
I didn't think that I would like Blake, to be honest, because wasn't he the one who was set up with Nav in "A Matchless Man" (book 2 in this series, but all can be read as standalones)? I keep thinking that he was, and he was kind of an ass to Nav. But maybe it wasn't him. Or maybe he's grown up a bit since that book. ;) Whatever. Anyway, I liked Blake in this book, because I think most of us can relate to the "one who got away" or having an unrequited crush in high school. Thane had some anger management issues, which were clearly evident towards the end of the book . Maybe I should have added "man with anger issues" in the above list of tropes.
But a lot of things worked for me in this book. I liked Ariel Tachna's writing style; she is one of my go-to writers when it comes to m/m romance. And it may have been because I was high while reading this book (Colorado yeahhhhhh baby!!), but I found myself giggling out loud quite a few times. There were some great funny parts. And I really did like the two nephews, Philip and Kit, who really blossomed over the course of the book. And Thane giving Philip a sex talk was all sorts of YES (enthusiastic consent for the win) and LOL (because it was just so awkward).
There's not much sex to be had in this book (keeping with the Dreamspun Desires line), which I didn't mind, especially since the exact mechanics of m/m sex leave me rather indifferent (lesbian here haha - gay male sex is great, but it doesn't get my engine revving, so to speak). But I read these books for the relationships, and there's a good one here, if you can get over the anger issues on Thane's part.
I read this book in one sitting, so it was definitely entertaining. I will definitely read more from this author in the future, but I already knew that, because I really liked "The Path" (I believe that was the first book of hers that I have read) and the other books by Tachna that I have read so far. If you are expecting a trope-fest with mostly off-the-page sex, then I would recommend this book for sure.
Oh Dreamspun Desires, how I love them when I'm in the mood for them. They're tropey as hell, but that is kind of the whole point. And considering that my formative romance-loving (and -reading) years were spent with Harlequins (I didn't know of any other publishers, just what were available on the racks at the local library and in the grocery store - much less anything that wasn't rigidly straight, at least until I was seventeen), I still get that itch once in a while that just needs to be scratched with tropey goodness. In fact, I have the monthly Dreamspun Desires subscription just so I can binge read the ever loving shit out of them when the urge strikes. Haha.
The tropes in this offering include: second chances, the "making a family" trope, the high school crush that still burns, the construction worker, and the principal who sticks up for your kids. ;)
I didn't think that I would like Blake, to be honest, because wasn't he the one who was set up with Nav in "A Matchless Man" (book 2 in this series, but all can be read as standalones)? I keep thinking that he was, and he was kind of an ass to Nav. But maybe it wasn't him. Or maybe he's grown up a bit since that book. ;) Whatever. Anyway, I liked Blake in this book, because I think most of us can relate to the "one who got away" or having an unrequited crush in high school. Thane had some anger management issues, which were clearly evident towards the end of the book . Maybe I should have added "man with anger issues" in the above list of tropes.
But a lot of things worked for me in this book. I liked Ariel Tachna's writing style; she is one of my go-to writers when it comes to m/m romance. And it may have been because I was high while reading this book (Colorado yeahhhhhh baby!!), but I found myself giggling out loud quite a few times. There were some great funny parts. And I really did like the two nephews, Philip and Kit, who really blossomed over the course of the book. And Thane giving Philip a sex talk was all sorts of YES (enthusiastic consent for the win) and LOL (because it was just so awkward).
There's not much sex to be had in this book (keeping with the Dreamspun Desires line), which I didn't mind, especially since the exact mechanics of m/m sex leave me rather indifferent (lesbian here haha - gay male sex is great, but it doesn't get my engine revving, so to speak). But I read these books for the relationships, and there's a good one here, if you can get over the anger issues on Thane's part.
I read this book in one sitting, so it was definitely entertaining. I will definitely read more from this author in the future, but I already knew that, because I really liked "The Path" (I believe that was the first book of hers that I have read) and the other books by Tachna that I have read so far. If you are expecting a trope-fest with mostly off-the-page sex, then I would recommend this book for sure.
April 28, 2019
Assistant high school principal Blake Barnes loves his job. He gets to help troubled students and works in the theater department, something he loves. His only problem is he has no one special in his life. Then his old high school crush, Thane Dalton, returns. He is now the guardian to two boys in Blake's care. Thane is still the same bad boy with a distrust of authority and now the desire to protect his two nephews from bullies. As the two clash, they begin to realize they both have the boys best interest at heart and the tension between is so much more than confrontational.
This is a true opposites attracts story. No matter how much Blake and Thane resist, they cannot seem to help themselves. It was fun to watch as they fell in love, fought and then needed some help to get them back together. Does the help work? You will need to find out for your self when you read the book.
This is a true opposites attracts story. No matter how much Blake and Thane resist, they cannot seem to help themselves. It was fun to watch as they fell in love, fought and then needed some help to get them back together. Does the help work? You will need to find out for your self when you read the book.
August 1, 2017
3.5 stars - I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
High school teacher Blake and Construction boss Thane are thrown together when Thane’s nephews become the victims of bullies at Blake’s school. Sparks fly from the first meeting but Blake and Thane don’t always agree on the best way to keep the boys safe.
Blake feels a little bland at the start of the story. He doesn’t really have a life beyond his job. It’s his interactions with students that give him colour and let us see his interests and enthusiasm. Thane is all colour and character but when he is given guardianship of his nephews, he finds himself having to grow up and be responsible for the first time ever.
Together, Blake and Thane balance each other. There is one exaggerated miscommunication that I found annoying but otherwise, their relationship is pretty grown up and their focus is Thane’s kids. However, my major reservation about this story is that the adult relationship is secondary to the men's care for the boys. This makes for a sweet story but it isn't terribly sexy.
It took me a while to understand Blake’s role at the high school. I think he’d be a Head of Year in the UK. Much of this story takes place at his school and the author captures the interactions between staff, students and parents really well.
I’m not a massive fan of family style romances and I don’t often enjoy kids in romance writing. However, Thane’s boys are well developed characters and I really liked the almost YA parts of this story. The kids do restrict the heat level in this story but they also add personality and they bring Blake and Thane together.
High school teacher Blake and Construction boss Thane are thrown together when Thane’s nephews become the victims of bullies at Blake’s school. Sparks fly from the first meeting but Blake and Thane don’t always agree on the best way to keep the boys safe.
Blake feels a little bland at the start of the story. He doesn’t really have a life beyond his job. It’s his interactions with students that give him colour and let us see his interests and enthusiasm. Thane is all colour and character but when he is given guardianship of his nephews, he finds himself having to grow up and be responsible for the first time ever.
Together, Blake and Thane balance each other. There is one exaggerated miscommunication that I found annoying but otherwise, their relationship is pretty grown up and their focus is Thane’s kids. However, my major reservation about this story is that the adult relationship is secondary to the men's care for the boys. This makes for a sweet story but it isn't terribly sexy.
It took me a while to understand Blake’s role at the high school. I think he’d be a Head of Year in the UK. Much of this story takes place at his school and the author captures the interactions between staff, students and parents really well.
I’m not a massive fan of family style romances and I don’t often enjoy kids in romance writing. However, Thane’s boys are well developed characters and I really liked the almost YA parts of this story. The kids do restrict the heat level in this story but they also add personality and they bring Blake and Thane together.
May 4, 2017
Based on my thoughts on the previous Tachna's two books in this series -- and Dreamspun line -- I felt the same problem that I kept encountering, that it didn't really live up to its potential.
A teacher and a single father (well, Thane is technically an uncle, but he gets to become sole guardian to his two nephews after their parents died) is one of the most common themes of category romance, and I usually enjoy them as well. In here, I did like the teens and the work they did with stage crew. I thought it was really interesting to read.
I also liked Blake, I admired him and his loyalty towards his students. Blake loved them all and clearly he was passionate with teaching them. My rating for this book is influenced by my liking Blake and the teens.
It was Thane that I had issues with. He had temper, he was quick to judge ... and well, Blake had crush on Thane when he was freshman and Thane was senior and Thane clearly said that he wouldn't even pay attention to Blake back then.
Look, at one point, after Thane's temper again showing its ugly head, Blake said "Take your temper and your bad attitude and shove it up your ass. I’m done"... honestly, I wish THAT is how this book ends and Blake can be happy with someone else *shrugs*
A teacher and a single father (well, Thane is technically an uncle, but he gets to become sole guardian to his two nephews after their parents died) is one of the most common themes of category romance, and I usually enjoy them as well. In here, I did like the teens and the work they did with stage crew. I thought it was really interesting to read.
I also liked Blake, I admired him and his loyalty towards his students. Blake loved them all and clearly he was passionate with teaching them. My rating for this book is influenced by my liking Blake and the teens.
It was Thane that I had issues with. He had temper, he was quick to judge ... and well, Blake had crush on Thane when he was freshman and Thane was senior and Thane clearly said that he wouldn't even pay attention to Blake back then.
Look, at one point, after Thane's temper again showing its ugly head, Blake said "Take your temper and your bad attitude and shove it up your ass. I’m done"... honestly, I wish THAT is how this book ends and Blake can be happy with someone else *shrugs*
September 27, 2022
Another sweet romance, kind of an odd-couple sort of pairing, but who suited each other well. I especially like the way Ariel embraces the family in thee books and makes the story about multi-layered love, not just romance. It makes for more rounded characters who are easy to like and root for.
May 10, 2017
Hated Thane. HATED!
August 6, 2017
I don’t know what the name would be – but I think everyone has that fantasy – the boy/girl you crushed on in high school who was so unattainable but triggered all your young lust… now, you’re an adult and lonely and lo and behold – said person is still around and just as hot and now… he/she can be yours!
This hit all those notes. Thane didn’t know Blake when they were kids, but Blake sure crushed hard on Thane. Now Thane is an uncle and all bossy and protective and though he and Blake clash at first – that spark ignites between them.
I thought the chemistry was wonderful – very hot and yet it wasn’t the main focus of the story. The boys – Thanes nephews –were adorable and very charming. Blake’s role as principal was portrayed fairly accurately and his dilemmas with procedure felt authentic.
I didn’t like that even at the end Thane was a dick to Blake and Blake didn’t make him grovel enough when he really should have.
It was a sweet ending with a solid HFN/HEA and very hopeful. I enjoyed this and while I had some niggles – for the most part that it was really engaging.
4 of 5 stars
Audio
I really liked this! I can take or leave John Solo’s narrations, he always does a solid job but I’m not always “wowed”. This time, however, he really impressed me! I thought he did Thane’s accent and personality perfectly and even the kids with their cadence felt really authentic.
I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it!
5 of 5 stars
Overall 4.5 of 5 stars
This hit all those notes. Thane didn’t know Blake when they were kids, but Blake sure crushed hard on Thane. Now Thane is an uncle and all bossy and protective and though he and Blake clash at first – that spark ignites between them.
I thought the chemistry was wonderful – very hot and yet it wasn’t the main focus of the story. The boys – Thanes nephews –were adorable and very charming. Blake’s role as principal was portrayed fairly accurately and his dilemmas with procedure felt authentic.
I didn’t like that even at the end Thane was a dick to Blake and Blake didn’t make him grovel enough when he really should have.
It was a sweet ending with a solid HFN/HEA and very hopeful. I enjoyed this and while I had some niggles – for the most part that it was really engaging.
4 of 5 stars
Audio
I really liked this! I can take or leave John Solo’s narrations, he always does a solid job but I’m not always “wowed”. This time, however, he really impressed me! I thought he did Thane’s accent and personality perfectly and even the kids with their cadence felt really authentic.
I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it!
5 of 5 stars
Overall 4.5 of 5 stars
August 28, 2025
I hate miscommunication and 3rd act break-ups. They stupid to me and never needed. If not for that this could been 5 stars. Also wanted Kit and Philip more.
Blake is assistant principal at the high school where he used to go. He also helps with the stage crew for drama like when he was in school.
As a way to keep Kit and Philip safe and out trouble after another incident with bullies from the sports teams picking on them severally he suggests that they join the stage crew.
Thane was the school bad boy back when he was in school. Kit and Philip are his nephews he's raising. He's furious that they are being bullied and wants justice. He goes along with the stage crew idea and shows up as well. He doesn't think that Blake is that great at first. He is a contractor with his own construction crew.
Things change on how Thane sees Blake when the bullies strick again and they're stopped. Plus before that seeing Blake at a club. It's complicated with what's going on, but once the culprits serve their punishment and the case is closed Blake agrees to start seeing Thane.
I liked them flirting and dating some things Thane said were sweet. Things were going great until one of the bullies struck again. If Thane would have just kept his mouth shut and let Blake explain how he was protecting Kit and Philip would have been fine but he didn't and stupid break up happened. Thankfully after several weeks when schools out the boys got them back together.
Blake is assistant principal at the high school where he used to go. He also helps with the stage crew for drama like when he was in school.
As a way to keep Kit and Philip safe and out trouble after another incident with bullies from the sports teams picking on them severally he suggests that they join the stage crew.
Thane was the school bad boy back when he was in school. Kit and Philip are his nephews he's raising. He's furious that they are being bullied and wants justice. He goes along with the stage crew idea and shows up as well. He doesn't think that Blake is that great at first. He is a contractor with his own construction crew.
Things change on how Thane sees Blake when the bullies strick again and they're stopped. Plus before that seeing Blake at a club. It's complicated with what's going on, but once the culprits serve their punishment and the case is closed Blake agrees to start seeing Thane.
I liked them flirting and dating some things Thane said were sweet. Things were going great until one of the bullies struck again. If Thane would have just kept his mouth shut and let Blake explain how he was protecting Kit and Philip would have been fine but he didn't and stupid break up happened. Thankfully after several weeks when schools out the boys got them back together.
July 2, 2017
Stage Two, the third book in the Lexington Lovers series by Ariel Tachna, is a contemporary, second chance M/M romance. High school assistant principal Blake Barnes is tasked with deciphering the truth regarding the bullying of tenth grade brothers Kit and Phillip. Little does he know that Thane Dalton, his high school crush, is their uncle and guardian. Blake and Thane connect through theater and the boys. But is it enough to sustain them, despite their differences?
Stage Two was a cute, if predictable, opposites-attract romance. Thane was the rough around the edges bad boy with a hair trigger temper and Blake was the level-headed artistic partner. I really enjoyed Blake and thought he brought a lot of emotional depth to the story. Thane came off as unrealistically hardened, while still being loving to Kit and Phillip. My biggest criticism is that they needed to work on their communication, but who doesn’t? Stage Two is well-written, funny, and touching. Solid read if you don’t want to think too hard.
Reviewed by Liz Cat for Crystal's Many Reviewers
Copy provided for review
Stage Two was a cute, if predictable, opposites-attract romance. Thane was the rough around the edges bad boy with a hair trigger temper and Blake was the level-headed artistic partner. I really enjoyed Blake and thought he brought a lot of emotional depth to the story. Thane came off as unrealistically hardened, while still being loving to Kit and Phillip. My biggest criticism is that they needed to work on their communication, but who doesn’t? Stage Two is well-written, funny, and touching. Solid read if you don’t want to think too hard.
Reviewed by Liz Cat for Crystal's Many Reviewers
Copy provided for review
April 29, 2019
Blake Barnes and Thane Dalton seem to be extremely different at first glance. Blake is an assistant high school principal who helps advise the school's drama club. Thane is a rancher, through and through. But when an incident with Thane's nephews at school puts the two of them in the same room, they quickly find out the passion they share for people they care about might be more than enough in common to bring them together. This is definitely one of those books where you'll want to reach in and shake some sense into the characters at times, but it is a lovely read overall.
May 13, 2017
This story is a lot of fun and really what adds to the adventure is grown-ups having to deal with teens and all their stuff. Blake and Thane have to overcome their own thoughts while dealing with the Thane's nephews. Both of these men are really ready for more in their lives and it seems like a great time for them to get together. Of course there are misunderstandings to be gotten through on the way to a relationship.
April 20, 2021
After a promising start I felt myself losing interest as the story progressed.
Dialogue felt stilted and unrealistic. Kit and Phillip sounded and acted more like 13/14 than 15/16 year olds to me.
Thane was too much like a spoiled bully himself for me to really warm too.
Blake was just meh for me. Nothing to make him standout. If anything he was too good and he explained things way to much.
Overall no a bad read just not a very interesting one for me.
Dialogue felt stilted and unrealistic. Kit and Phillip sounded and acted more like 13/14 than 15/16 year olds to me.
Thane was too much like a spoiled bully himself for me to really warm too.
Blake was just meh for me. Nothing to make him standout. If anything he was too good and he explained things way to much.
Overall no a bad read just not a very interesting one for me.
May 15, 2017
It took a while for me to warm up to Thane and when I thought it was ok, he does something that made me angry, lol.
On the other hand, I liked Blake and Thane's nephews.
I liked the epilogue! :)
On the other hand, I liked Blake and Thane's nephews.
I liked the epilogue! :)
July 21, 2020
Part of a series but I read it as a stand-alone and I don't feel I missed anything. One secondary character I liked that I may go see if he has a book.
This was sweet, with wonderful MC's and feel good story I enjoyed.
This was sweet, with wonderful MC's and feel good story I enjoyed.
February 14, 2022
Pretty good low-brow romance read. The sexual tension builds very well—the romantic conflict was a bit stupid. There wasn’t really an overarching point or message.
Made me nostalgic for high school theatre
Made me nostalgic for high school theatre
May 4, 2017
3.75 Stars.
February 26, 2019
Nice.
March 20, 2020
Wishing I had read this before Home and Away, but it was still fun.
May 15, 2017
Full review is at :
OptimuMM - Home of MM Book Reviews
Now before I start reviewing this book, I wanna state the fact that I’m a man. Yes, I’m gay, but I’m a man, with manly feelings, manly habits. Well, as manly as a gay man can have…that means no sports nor handy work for me 😉 (for all the gay man out there who like sports and handy work, I do apologise). Why should I clarify this? Well, and I mean no offense, this book for me was a girly MM. And by girly, I mean that one of the MC’s behavior is like a woman’s character. I know, I know, you lady readers may not notice the difference but trust me, from a man’s POV the difference is pretty obvious.
That said, the book is an honest 4.5 OptimuMM read.
When Blake Barnes was in high school, he had a crush on the bad boy Thane Dalton.
Now years later, when two of Blake’s students got bullied, he is face to face, again, with his high school crush. Thane Dalton is the student’s gradient. His bad boy attitude hadn’t changed at all. He’s demanding, authoritative but Blake isn’t impressed…at all…right. Blake’s come up with a solution that may resolve the boy’s problem.
Thane Dalton, the owner of Dalton Construction, after he lost his sister to cancer now is the guardian of his two nephews. When he’s called to the principal’s office, he’d had enough. He doesn’t respond well to authoritative figures. He’s no different with Barnes either. But damn. Maybe Mr. B. has a point this time.
The boys are enrolled in the theater crew helping out building the scenes. Blake is the sponsor of the crew, supervising the students. Of course, Thane is angry almost with anything Blake does. This will bring us in funny situations. But that’s not all…Thane starts to notice Blake.
Although, as I mentioned, this is a girly MM, the book is good. I loved the dynamics of the MC’s and the emotions between the two. In this book there is no hot scenes at all, it leaves more room for emotions.
I highly recommend this book to everyone!
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
OptimuMM - Home of MM Book Reviews
Now before I start reviewing this book, I wanna state the fact that I’m a man. Yes, I’m gay, but I’m a man, with manly feelings, manly habits. Well, as manly as a gay man can have…that means no sports nor handy work for me 😉 (for all the gay man out there who like sports and handy work, I do apologise). Why should I clarify this? Well, and I mean no offense, this book for me was a girly MM. And by girly, I mean that one of the MC’s behavior is like a woman’s character. I know, I know, you lady readers may not notice the difference but trust me, from a man’s POV the difference is pretty obvious.
That said, the book is an honest 4.5 OptimuMM read.
When Blake Barnes was in high school, he had a crush on the bad boy Thane Dalton.
Now years later, when two of Blake’s students got bullied, he is face to face, again, with his high school crush. Thane Dalton is the student’s gradient. His bad boy attitude hadn’t changed at all. He’s demanding, authoritative but Blake isn’t impressed…at all…right. Blake’s come up with a solution that may resolve the boy’s problem.
Thane Dalton, the owner of Dalton Construction, after he lost his sister to cancer now is the guardian of his two nephews. When he’s called to the principal’s office, he’d had enough. He doesn’t respond well to authoritative figures. He’s no different with Barnes either. But damn. Maybe Mr. B. has a point this time.
The boys are enrolled in the theater crew helping out building the scenes. Blake is the sponsor of the crew, supervising the students. Of course, Thane is angry almost with anything Blake does. This will bring us in funny situations. But that’s not all…Thane starts to notice Blake.
Although, as I mentioned, this is a girly MM, the book is good. I loved the dynamics of the MC’s and the emotions between the two. In this book there is no hot scenes at all, it leaves more room for emotions.
I highly recommend this book to everyone!
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
May 28, 2019
Two Protectors Fight for Love
Blake is an assistant principal at the local high school. Thane owns his own construction company. When Thane's sister dies he enrolls his two nephews in the school. Bullies make the mistake of choosing to target Kit and things get complicated between the two men.
Definitely a story worth reading.
Blake is an assistant principal at the local high school. Thane owns his own construction company. When Thane's sister dies he enrolls his two nephews in the school. Bullies make the mistake of choosing to target Kit and things get complicated between the two men.
Definitely a story worth reading.
May 1, 2017
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*
Stage Two is Book 3 in Ariel Tachna's Lexington Lovers series. Each of these books could be read as a standalone without too much issue, but it's a really good series, so why not just read all of them?
Blake Barnes is an assistant high school principal and he loves his job. He graduated from the same high school he works at and still has the same best friend from high school. He lives a pretty structured, solitary, routine life. He has his job, and he hangs out with his best friend every Friday night, but he's single and hasn't made the time to meet someone. All that changes when Blake has to call the guardian of the two boys who he pulled into his office for fighting. He knows more is going on with the boys but they won't trust him enough to let him help them. Blake is shocked when the guardian of the boys comes in and it turns out to be his high school crush, Thane. Thane is not happy that his nephews aren't being protected in the school, and from his experience as a student at the school, he's prepared to do what's needed to keep them safe.
I really liked Blake in this story. He had a good heart and wanted to take care of the students in the school. He had a good group of friends and was just a really nice guy. He worked hard and was dedicated to the students. I did question his judgement in his crush on Thane. Thane was a jerk in most interactions with Blake. Thane was cocky, loud, judgmental, and confrontational. He did not hide his feelings about Blake and how inept, weak and lazy he thought Blake was. Some of his characteristics I could overlook because he was doing everything he could to protect his nephews, but other times, I just really didn't like him. Thane did grow throughout the story, and his devotion and love to his nephews helped me come around to not completely writing him off. And the boys were great characters, who flourished under the guidance of their uncle and Blake.
This is definitely an opposites attract story, so if you love that trope, you need to make sure to grab this one! I thought this was a great addition to the Lexington Lovers series and can't wait to read what comes next!
Rating: 4.5 stars!
Stage Two is Book 3 in Ariel Tachna's Lexington Lovers series. Each of these books could be read as a standalone without too much issue, but it's a really good series, so why not just read all of them?
Blake Barnes is an assistant high school principal and he loves his job. He graduated from the same high school he works at and still has the same best friend from high school. He lives a pretty structured, solitary, routine life. He has his job, and he hangs out with his best friend every Friday night, but he's single and hasn't made the time to meet someone. All that changes when Blake has to call the guardian of the two boys who he pulled into his office for fighting. He knows more is going on with the boys but they won't trust him enough to let him help them. Blake is shocked when the guardian of the boys comes in and it turns out to be his high school crush, Thane. Thane is not happy that his nephews aren't being protected in the school, and from his experience as a student at the school, he's prepared to do what's needed to keep them safe.
I really liked Blake in this story. He had a good heart and wanted to take care of the students in the school. He had a good group of friends and was just a really nice guy. He worked hard and was dedicated to the students. I did question his judgement in his crush on Thane. Thane was a jerk in most interactions with Blake. Thane was cocky, loud, judgmental, and confrontational. He did not hide his feelings about Blake and how inept, weak and lazy he thought Blake was. Some of his characteristics I could overlook because he was doing everything he could to protect his nephews, but other times, I just really didn't like him. Thane did grow throughout the story, and his devotion and love to his nephews helped me come around to not completely writing him off. And the boys were great characters, who flourished under the guidance of their uncle and Blake.
This is definitely an opposites attract story, so if you love that trope, you need to make sure to grab this one! I thought this was a great addition to the Lexington Lovers series and can't wait to read what comes next!
Rating: 4.5 stars!
April 29, 2017
What happens when you are all grown up, the assistant principal at th high school, have two boys in your office that are new but are being bullied, and then find out their guardian is none other then your high school crush? Well in Blakes case you get tongue tied around him. Then when you untie your tongue you say the wrong thing and get off to the wrong footing.
And in Blake's case you decide you do not like your previous crush like you used too. He may even think that Thane is even a bigger a$$ now then when he was younger. A very hot A$$ but an a$$ just the same.
Regardless Blake knows he has to do what he can in order to keep Blake's nephews, Kit and Phillip safe from the bullies. That is why he suggests joint the theater crew to help them make friends and to keep the occupied and he will be able to keep an extra close eye of them also.
The only problem is though he invited Thane to pitch and help with the set building for the theater, he did not figure he would actually do it. But here they were and the more time they spent together the more his crush from Before comes back full force.
Can two men and two boys all come together to make a family that they all crave or will there be too many obstacles and issues standing in their way?
This was a really good read with some extremely sweet moments in it. But at the same time Ariel incorporated a serious subject of bullying at school and how the issue is handled. I think that Ariel did a wonderful job on this book and I really enjoyed it. Cannot wait till the next book in this series comes out.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
And in Blake's case you decide you do not like your previous crush like you used too. He may even think that Thane is even a bigger a$$ now then when he was younger. A very hot A$$ but an a$$ just the same.
Regardless Blake knows he has to do what he can in order to keep Blake's nephews, Kit and Phillip safe from the bullies. That is why he suggests joint the theater crew to help them make friends and to keep the occupied and he will be able to keep an extra close eye of them also.
The only problem is though he invited Thane to pitch and help with the set building for the theater, he did not figure he would actually do it. But here they were and the more time they spent together the more his crush from Before comes back full force.
Can two men and two boys all come together to make a family that they all crave or will there be too many obstacles and issues standing in their way?
This was a really good read with some extremely sweet moments in it. But at the same time Ariel incorporated a serious subject of bullying at school and how the issue is handled. I think that Ariel did a wonderful job on this book and I really enjoyed it. Cannot wait till the next book in this series comes out.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
May 1, 2017
This is the 3rd book in the Lexington Lovers series, as well as an installment of the Dreamspun Desires titles.
I liked this a lot. A whole lot. It's about family, second chances, learning to trust, and learning how to stand up for what you believe, even if it hurts you. It's about how sometimes teenagers are smarter than you are, and maybe you ought to listen to them.
Blake Barnes is a high school assistant principal and charged with the sophomores. Two of his newest students, two brothers who've recently lost their mother after losing their father when they were much younger, are being harassed by their classmates. When the bullying escalates and the two boys, Kit and Phillip, end up in his office, he comes face to face with Thane Dalton, the boys' guardian/uncle and Blake's teenage crush.
Thane is every bit the badass Blake remembers, but the attraction still burns brightly. Once he unravels his tied tongue after seeing Thane again, Blake goes full assistant principal mode and lays out his plan.
What follows is at once a humorous and poignant romance between two men who are trying to build a relationship against the odds and against many obstacles in their way, the least of which are the two teenage boys Thane has inherited from his late sister.
The book touches on important topics, such as high school bullying, homophobia, bad assumptions, and making rash judgments without having all the information. Yes, Thane - I'm definitely looking at you with that last one. And good for Blake for having a backbone.
As with all the books in the Dreamspun Desires series, there's little steam, but there's plenty of UST, and one mustn't forget that it's kind of difficult to get it on when you have two teenagers living in the same house. The romance between the two men was totally believable and relatable. Neither has had any kind of long-term relationship before meeting again (which is something only Blake really remembers since he didn't actually interact with Thane back in his high school days), but they're both all in pretty much right away, especially Thane. Which made it so very painful when he did that stupid thing he did. Sure, I could to some extent understand his rash reaction, but to not even give the guy he professed to want to keep a chance to explain - yeah, you were dumb, Thane. And your boys suffered for it just the same as you did.
Speaking of Kit and Phillip - I really liked those two. They were grieving their mother, of course, but they stuck by each other and were fiercely loyal to their uncle and Mr. B. I loved seeing the relationships between the boys and Mr. B. develop through the course of the book and watch him go from Mr. B. to Uncle Blake. In fact, the boys really rounded out the plot in this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it whenever they were on page.
This was a really sweet read, and it met all my expectations, and surpassed them in some instances. For example, Blake's idea of giving the boys a place on the theater stage crew was brilliant, with sound reasoning, even if Thane doesn't buy it at first. The boys plotting to get Blake and Thane into the same room at the end - hahaha, that was fun, and it worked!
I very much enjoyed reading this book, and I think you will too. Recommended.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
I liked this a lot. A whole lot. It's about family, second chances, learning to trust, and learning how to stand up for what you believe, even if it hurts you. It's about how sometimes teenagers are smarter than you are, and maybe you ought to listen to them.
Blake Barnes is a high school assistant principal and charged with the sophomores. Two of his newest students, two brothers who've recently lost their mother after losing their father when they were much younger, are being harassed by their classmates. When the bullying escalates and the two boys, Kit and Phillip, end up in his office, he comes face to face with Thane Dalton, the boys' guardian/uncle and Blake's teenage crush.
Thane is every bit the badass Blake remembers, but the attraction still burns brightly. Once he unravels his tied tongue after seeing Thane again, Blake goes full assistant principal mode and lays out his plan.
What follows is at once a humorous and poignant romance between two men who are trying to build a relationship against the odds and against many obstacles in their way, the least of which are the two teenage boys Thane has inherited from his late sister.
The book touches on important topics, such as high school bullying, homophobia, bad assumptions, and making rash judgments without having all the information. Yes, Thane - I'm definitely looking at you with that last one. And good for Blake for having a backbone.
As with all the books in the Dreamspun Desires series, there's little steam, but there's plenty of UST, and one mustn't forget that it's kind of difficult to get it on when you have two teenagers living in the same house. The romance between the two men was totally believable and relatable. Neither has had any kind of long-term relationship before meeting again (which is something only Blake really remembers since he didn't actually interact with Thane back in his high school days), but they're both all in pretty much right away, especially Thane. Which made it so very painful when he did that stupid thing he did. Sure, I could to some extent understand his rash reaction, but to not even give the guy he professed to want to keep a chance to explain - yeah, you were dumb, Thane. And your boys suffered for it just the same as you did.
Speaking of Kit and Phillip - I really liked those two. They were grieving their mother, of course, but they stuck by each other and were fiercely loyal to their uncle and Mr. B. I loved seeing the relationships between the boys and Mr. B. develop through the course of the book and watch him go from Mr. B. to Uncle Blake. In fact, the boys really rounded out the plot in this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it whenever they were on page.
This was a really sweet read, and it met all my expectations, and surpassed them in some instances. For example, Blake's idea of giving the boys a place on the theater stage crew was brilliant, with sound reasoning, even if Thane doesn't buy it at first. The boys plotting to get Blake and Thane into the same room at the end - hahaha, that was fun, and it worked!
I very much enjoyed reading this book, and I think you will too. Recommended.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
May 1, 2017
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 rounded up
For the full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-ani
From that review: " Stage Two by Ariel Tachna was just an excellent all around story, that it happened to include a romance was a definite plus as well. It was as much about two young teenagers adjusting to the loss of their mother, making a new home with their uncle, dealing with, frankly, a very scary bullying situation in their new school as it is about Blake and Thane finding each other. That it all happens under stressful conditions realistically portrayed here by the author is one of this story's strengths. Everyone becomes more grounded and believable when faced with the situations and relationship dynamics dealt with within this story. And it's a guarantee for us to connect with them all. I deny anyone not to feel the pain and loss that these boys are going through. Its comes pouring out so vividly here that you want to comfort them yourselves. In tandem with those boys grief is their uncle's confusion, bewilderment and anger. Thane too has lost his sister, he's trying to deal with being a guardian to two boys in mourning in a new situation and unsure he can handle it all. That his go to method of dealing is anger and all too often his fists to settle situations? Well, I think we have all met people like Thane as well..."
For all our interviews, reviews and other things books, visit us at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 rounded up
For the full review, visit http://wp.me/p220KL-ani
From that review: " Stage Two by Ariel Tachna was just an excellent all around story, that it happened to include a romance was a definite plus as well. It was as much about two young teenagers adjusting to the loss of their mother, making a new home with their uncle, dealing with, frankly, a very scary bullying situation in their new school as it is about Blake and Thane finding each other. That it all happens under stressful conditions realistically portrayed here by the author is one of this story's strengths. Everyone becomes more grounded and believable when faced with the situations and relationship dynamics dealt with within this story. And it's a guarantee for us to connect with them all. I deny anyone not to feel the pain and loss that these boys are going through. Its comes pouring out so vividly here that you want to comfort them yourselves. In tandem with those boys grief is their uncle's confusion, bewilderment and anger. Thane too has lost his sister, he's trying to deal with being a guardian to two boys in mourning in a new situation and unsure he can handle it all. That his go to method of dealing is anger and all too often his fists to settle situations? Well, I think we have all met people like Thane as well..."
For all our interviews, reviews and other things books, visit us at http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
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