Inevitable

Shooting Star #1

by Sienna Sway

When a photo of Hollywood leading man, Joshua Hudson, hits the tabloids with his tongue down another man's throat Josh has no other option but to lay low for a while. The problem being of course that going home for the first time in eight years means facing all the skeletons in his closet. Particularly the one he's tried hardest to bury; Gabriel Alvarez.

Gabriel was Josh's first love. His first everything. He hadn't ever wanted to be without him but fear is a powerful emotion and when you're young with your dreams on the line, it can make you do crazy, terrible things. Like running away.

Josh had never wanted to face Gabriel again, but some things in life are inevitable.

~

This is book one in the Shooting Star series, featuring famous men finding love and themselves along the way. Each can be read as a stand alone novel and feature HEA with no cheating.

Warnings for drug and alcohol abuse, anxiety and depression.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Ebooks, Contemporary, Second Chance, LGBT

110 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2019

About the author

Sienna Sway is a Canadian writer living in gorgeous Vancouver BC, constantly inspired by her city and surroundings in bringing to life the most compelling m/m and het romance with interesting and real characters.

Reviews

[Ed Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a hard book for me to rate. I’ve loved the science fiction books I’ve read by Sienna Sway. I also love the way she writes. However, I had a hard time with this book for several reasons. I found the idea that these two were still so in love with each other after 8 years apart pretty ridiculous. If someone disappeared on me like Josh did and I didn’t hear from them for 8 years I don’t believe I’d forgive them so quickly. Also there was so much suffering and then everything just worked out. Suddenly Josh isn’t abusing drugs, everyone is ok with him being gay, and they can easily move back and forth between LA and their hometown. I rolled my eyes so many times I thought they were going to get stuck.

[Nissy Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of the story. However, I really did not feel the chemistry nor connection with Josh and Gabriel. I was not impressed with Josh's emotional issues. I felt the story line was so focused on his issues, that Gabriel's emotions were a non issue. I just felt that Josh was a selfish person and had thought only of himself and not any of what Gabriel had thought or felt. In the end it was prevalent to me that they had not resolved any of the stuff that had torn them apart. I think it would have been a better book had they really dealt with all of the issues. I don't believe Josh would have seen Gabriel any other light had he not found out that Gabriel was the owner of the cafe. This book could have been so much more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MiaReadsMMBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's lots to appreciate in this former BFFs/BFs to Enemy to Lovers style romance. From the broken Josh, retreating home to lick his wounds having been outed publicly as a gay actor, to the heartbroken Gabriel, abandoned by his former BFF/BF and left behind to luck his wounds and try to live his life without his one true love.

Whilst the story could use a little polish in places, you easily get caught up in the drama, intrigue and romance between the two MCs. You feel for Josh because he truly is a mess and his life as he's built it feels line it's in pieces, and you can easily appreciate Gabriel's point of view and anger as he navigates his feelings, both as the one abandoned and as the one who had to pick up the pieces Josh left behind.

Inevitable has everything you look for in an angsty romance. 3.5/5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

[LJ Henley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josh and Gabriel loved each other in secret while in high school. Josh had grand plans of becoming an actor because he felt such a passion for it. Gabriel knew that his life would be in the town they grew up in because of his mother's health and there would be no leaving for him. Josh left to go to LA without saying good bye to anyone, including Gabriel. This just about killed Gabriel and for years he had never moved on with his life like he should have. Empty relationships without love didn't fill the void that Josh's love had left. Josh made it big, making movies, owning a nice home, having money. Yet his relationships can only happen when he's had too much to drink because all he wants is Gabriel. It takes a tabloid story about Josh being gay for him to come back home. Running into Gabriel opens up old wounds for both but through much misunderstandings and talking it through they find their HEA.

I did feel like it was more of a HFN because Gabriel isn't really happy in LA and the book kind of leaves it there.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MaryAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, which mercifully spared me tons of flashbacks, which is always a worry for me with first love stories. It wasn't a super in-depth look into addiction, but it was an interesting perspective of an abuser who doesn't consciously think of his dependency on pills.
Oddly enough I liked that Gabriel wasn't the self-sacrificing saint you'd expect, he's flawed and insecure and even though he loves Joshua, it gives him comfort to know Joshua also suffered when he left
It's a pretty quick read and in some ways I wish some elements of the story were fleshed out more. I'm assuming that since this is #1 and the ending read more like an HFN, there's more with these characters. Kind of a bummer, to be honest; I like a nice book of decent length that wraps it all up, since sequels have a propensity for manufactured angst, which I loathe

Edit: the sequel is NOT about them! *happy dance*

As you were

[Arwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It's a romance novel so, happy ever after or happy for now are inevitable :) but I liked how it got there. There is a depth to the story that isn't always present in the estranged lovers trope, especially when one of the pair has done something that needs to be forgiven. I like the way this author writes, and while starting with known tropes, they often follow a different path than I expect. It's refreshing,

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kkhmonrai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chances, pain, angst, forgiveness...it's all here and makes for a great story. Gabriel was Josh's first love, but Josh left Gabriel without a word when to find fame and fortune. When he needs a place to hide after an unexpected photo surfaces, Josh runs back home, and meets Gabriel again. The old feelings are still there. Can Gabriel forgive Josh? Does their second chance have a chance? What price fame, and is it worth the cost? Very enjoyable with great characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[P3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chances

Josh and Gabriel fell in love when they were teenagers. Josh took off when he was eighteen to follow his dreams of becoming an actor without saying goodbye. It’s the first time I’ve read this writer and I’m glad I decided to download the book as I quite enjoyed reading it. I would also recommend it for others who like m/m romance.

[Sara Sigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance at love

Gabriel and Josh loved each other when 18, but Josh just left to do what he dreamed of doing most of is teenage life. He left without goodbyes and it messed up Gabriel pretty bad. Then the fact of him kissing another guy was sent until things settle down. Him and Gabriel got together and it was great how they figured out to go from there. Great book!

[Jean Malherbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

INEVITABLE Sienna Sway
5stars
Wow! This was such a good book.
A lovely second chance romance (a trope that I tend to avoid most of the time, because I can't deal with the unnecessary bickering and unforgiveness that is prevelant in such stories). However, this "coming out and coming home" story was done so well.
These two boys, who were inseparable as teens just knew, fundamentally that they needed one another. The way the author paced the story and the way the story was executed, absolutely had me tied to this book from first to last page.
I really enjoyed the supporting cast here as well. (even the rival/ex in this book was immensely likable).
Very good work indeed! (Super cover, too! 😊

I'm so glad I discovered this author. This was my first Sienna Sway book, and I will undoubtedly be on the alert for more. I'm definitely going to look out for the next book in this series. I absolutely can't wait for Luke's story!

° Standalone small town mm romance
° Heat/steam level 3 🔥 (only one full scene and profanity is scarce. No violence)
° Dual pov. Third person, past tense.
° Disclaimer : I was offered (and accepted) a complementary copy of the book directly from the author.
I have willingly read the book and my review is 100% voluntary.

[Shaynaynay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you look, what does the mirror say? Josh, is not out. A photo of him kissing a man is leaked to the public. Hoping to minimize the publicity, he runs to his hometown Cedar Valley to hide out. He hopes to avoid Gabriel, with whom he has history.When they were younger, Josh had aspirations of going to Hollywood and becomeing a big star. So, he made a choice. He left, without looking back. Gabriel, has been struggling, coping for the last few years trying to get a handle on what happened with Josh and how life took such a disappointing turn. Gabe never got closure from Josh, and that always left a big holw in his heart, his life. After Josh's return, who makes the first move? Does Josh apologize? Does Gabe ask for an explanation? Does Josh, come out? Is Josh able to return to Hollywood? Interesting story. Good flow. Working throug this problem takes humility patience and honesty. Do they try? Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fame or Love ? . . .

A photo of Joshua Hudson kissing a man made Josh hurry home to stay out of sight for awhile. Cedar Valley may be a bit uncomfortable for him if he meets up with Gabriel Alvarez again.

Gabriel is an extremely likable character. He has suffered over 8 years, missing his first love, not really understanding how it all went wrong when Josh disappeared without a word. Now that Josh is back in town, the emotions he tried to keep under control re-surge and will either help him win Josh back or cause him even more pain.

Josh never wanted to face Gabriel again, out of his own guilt, but some things in life are Inevitable. Josh seemed like a self-serving character who always did what was best for him. He owed Gabriel a huge apology, but I don’t think he ever saw it that way. I almost wished Gabriel found someone who truly deserved him. But Josh is what makes him happy, even though I believe Josh would walk out again without a pause if it made things better for himself.

The writing was good, and the story line kept the reader involved. But Gabriel made the story work for me, and I have concerns that Josh may end up hurting him again because balancing career and other people, Josh will always look to benefiting his career.

[RACHEL BATTLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a second chance love story that will leave you in tears. Both Josh and Gabriel have their issues to work through, but I loved both characters. The theme focuses on what someone is willing to give up to have fame. Warning: mild references to prescription drug abuse and mental health issues.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicholas Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable

Heartbreak can only be retold so many ways and this trope has been flogged. At best this is a MEH 😑

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stardom or love? Or can you have both?

Josh chose Hollywood over his first love, Gabriel, and never looked back. He realised his dream to act and become a star and never returned to his home town.
Gabriel was devastated when his boyfriend walked away from his home, his parents, and Gabriel without a word or a backward glance.
Outed by the tabloids he comes home, hoping to keep his head down and avoid the man who he wronged eight years ago. Of course, the chances of avoiding Gabriel in their small town are zero. What follows is an unexpected second chance for Josh with the kind, loving, beautiful man he left behind.
I enjoyed this book even though I had issues with both Josh and Gabriel. Josh shut everyone out till he needed them, and then practically acted as the wounded party, whereas Gabriel just opened his arms and let Josh back into his life, rather than telling Josh how badly he hurt him. That being said, there was enough angst and emotion to keep me reading, and I did want them to be together, if only because Gabriel deserved to be happy.
I didn't read the earlier edition of this book which the author said was only from Josh's POV and I'm glad, because Josh's self-absorption really needed Gabriel's POV to balance it out.
The ending was more of a HFN, because of Josh's career in LA and Gabriel's commitments in Cedar Valley but they seemed to be making it work, and it would be nice to catch up with them in the rest of the series to see their HEA.

[Laora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new to me author and I was not disappointed. The pacing was good and the writing style and story development had a nice flow. This is the first book in the new Shooting star series. Gabriel and Josh had been best friends since childhood. In their last year together, when they were both eighteen, they became boyfriends. But all of a sudden that stopped when Josh disappeared to pursue his dream. Now at 26 Josh is back in town, trying to get his life back on track and runs straight in to his old love. Read how especially Josh struggles to find his way back to himself and the man he left behind. There is some angst in the book. This book has an hea/ hfn.
This book was given to me as an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[T Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

All hearts want second chances especially when we have messed up something wonderful. Josh, without intending to, gets his second chance here in this story. Gabriel, angry, hurt and still emotionally connected to Josh, has tried moving on but is still drawn right back to Josh. This story is definitely a sentimental journey as we see our heroes struggle through their past and the hurt it caused as well as the pain still being inflicted. A very good story, pulling on the heart strings in a good way and serving up a sweet HEA with lots of happy feelings.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Labels suck. Being judged not for your actions but for who you are. Made me sad for all the anxiety Josh felt and what he had to prove to himself. This is an emotionally moving story of acceptance and learning to love yourself.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roberta Blablanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this second chance romance about two closeted high school sweethearts.