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Hillock Beach Tales #1
Tempting Fools
Newly divorced dad Kurt Varley is having a rough year. He’s lonely. His kids are avoiding him. His widowed father’s behavior has started becoming reckless. And to top it off, Kurt’s house is haunted. But despite all this, he’s been trying to date again, a challenge after years of marriage, and the women he meets seem to sense his hopelessness.
But things flip upside down when during an afternoon date, a mouthy staffer at an amusement park blurts out details of Kurt’s private life, things no stranger should know. The young man, Orion, claims to be psychic, but Kurt suspects he’s gotten his information elsewhere, and soon discovers they share an unsettling personal connection. But when Kurt’s fascination with the combative, charismatic Orion begins to overshadow everything else, the biggest mystery might be why he can’t stop making excuses to see him again.
But things flip upside down when during an afternoon date, a mouthy staffer at an amusement park blurts out details of Kurt’s private life, things no stranger should know. The young man, Orion, claims to be psychic, but Kurt suspects he’s gotten his information elsewhere, and soon discovers they share an unsettling personal connection. But when Kurt’s fascination with the combative, charismatic Orion begins to overshadow everything else, the biggest mystery might be why he can’t stop making excuses to see him again.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2020
17 people are currently reading
396 people want to read
About the author
Darien Cox
26 books345 followersAuthor Darien Cox lives in New England and enjoys using romantic fiction to explore the intensity, insanity, humor, and chaos that accompanies cupid’s arrow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
May 31, 2020
I love how unique this author's stories are. It's so refreshing not knowing where the story is going and what to expect next. That's why I like going into his books with as little information as possible.
I love the way he writes his characters, they are complex, distinct and their interactions are very realistic. He always makes me feel for them. I don't want to go into any details to avoid spoilers, so I'll just say that I loved Kurt, I loved reading about his relationship with his dad and I loved learning about Orion throughout the story.
All the other characters in this story were great, too. I liked how each one of them was important for the story at some point and I liked how everything came together in the end.
I love the way he writes his characters, they are complex, distinct and their interactions are very realistic. He always makes me feel for them. I don't want to go into any details to avoid spoilers, so I'll just say that I loved Kurt, I loved reading about his relationship with his dad and I loved learning about Orion throughout the story.
All the other characters in this story were great, too. I liked how each one of them was important for the story at some point and I liked how everything came together in the end.
May 7, 2023
Missing this book and browsed a bit for the goodies 😍Still love it so much.
Reread 2022. Still absolutely amazing and still one of my favorite MM books. It doesn’t get recommended enough, in my opinion. This author writes so good..I wish we had more books from him. And that cover!! 😍😍😍
Wow, I really really didn’t expect this book to be so good. I adored both MC so so much and the plot was kind of quirky and fun . It’s a new author for me and I kinda feel like reading another one of his books after this one..
Reread 2022. Still absolutely amazing and still one of my favorite MM books. It doesn’t get recommended enough, in my opinion. This author writes so good..I wish we had more books from him. And that cover!! 😍😍😍
Wow, I really really didn’t expect this book to be so good. I adored both MC so so much and the plot was kind of quirky and fun . It’s a new author for me and I kinda feel like reading another one of his books after this one..
August 5, 2024
Re-Read, 2024
Wow, again. I am so glad I did the re-read. It's been a bit of time since this was first released and with the passing of time, I forgot a lot. This felt almost completely brand new and I loved it all over again, maybe even more this time.
This was just a magical read to me. I am so glad I got to revisit and even more glad that my revisit is due to another book set in this fantastic setting with these fantastic people.
Review and rating stand. Amazing.
*******
Jesus, I loved this book. This is the type of story, and location, because let's be serious, that was a HUGE part of the story for sure, that you wish was a series because you want another tale so you can visit again and again and again.
I did not want this to end. This is one of those books where I feel like I was obsessed with checking the % read. I couldn't read it fast enough but I wanted to slow it all down so it didn't end.
I don't even know where to begin with what this was. It was romantic and healing. I loved everyone and all their flaws, even the very worst kind of the flaws. I loved the town, I loved the lore and I loved the touch of magic.
This is for sure a favorite of the year. I am just completely wowed.
Fantastic.
Wow, again. I am so glad I did the re-read. It's been a bit of time since this was first released and with the passing of time, I forgot a lot. This felt almost completely brand new and I loved it all over again, maybe even more this time.
This was just a magical read to me. I am so glad I got to revisit and even more glad that my revisit is due to another book set in this fantastic setting with these fantastic people.
Review and rating stand. Amazing.
*******
Jesus, I loved this book. This is the type of story, and location, because let's be serious, that was a HUGE part of the story for sure, that you wish was a series because you want another tale so you can visit again and again and again.
I did not want this to end. This is one of those books where I feel like I was obsessed with checking the % read. I couldn't read it fast enough but I wanted to slow it all down so it didn't end.
I don't even know where to begin with what this was. It was romantic and healing. I loved everyone and all their flaws, even the very worst kind of the flaws. I loved the town, I loved the lore and I loved the touch of magic.
This is for sure a favorite of the year. I am just completely wowed.
Fantastic.
October 28, 2024
Wow. This blew me away in the best way possible ❤️
You might have noticed that it took me a few days to get through (after FINALLY being able to get hands on an ebook, thanks to my friends here), but not because I was bored. It just felt like a book I didn’t want to read without giving it my full attention, and I lacked those moments lately, even if I couldn’t stop thinking about the book and its characters.
It’s the story of newly divorced, 36yo Kurt, who tries to “get back in the saddle again”. And Orion, the mysterious young man who seems to know things about him no stranger should know.
I won’t spoil the plot, because if you’ve already read it, you’ll know it anyway - and if not, you should go in blindly, and get yourself caught up in the slightly spooky atmosphere of Hillock Beach, where not everything and everyone is as they seem at first sight.
Despite the touches of paranormal activities, I loved the realism of it, the way the characters were imperfect, but lovable.
Thank you so much, Snjez, for making me pick it up, it’s really turned out to be one of my favourite reads this year ❤️
Some spoiler-free quotes I loved:
Orion and I were completely different. Because I’d always played it safe. I’d always been safe. But self-imposed safety came with sacrifice, I’d learned. Opportunities lost. Chances not taken. Desires unfulfilled.
(…)
Sunday morning, I got up with the sun, and my jog on the beach felt slightly less painful than last time. And by less painful, I mean I only wanted to die myself, unlike my prior runs where I wanted to take others down with me. Mainly the perky runners I passed who actually had enough air in their lungs to say ‘Good morning’ while I loped along like an asthmatic werewolf with two lame feet.
I felt so seen with this one 🤣
And finally:
This was my life now. A hell of a lot less dull than it used to be, but also peaceful and contented. I was who I was supposed to be. I was where I was supposed to be. And I was whole.
You might have noticed that it took me a few days to get through (after FINALLY being able to get hands on an ebook, thanks to my friends here), but not because I was bored. It just felt like a book I didn’t want to read without giving it my full attention, and I lacked those moments lately, even if I couldn’t stop thinking about the book and its characters.
It’s the story of newly divorced, 36yo Kurt, who tries to “get back in the saddle again”. And Orion, the mysterious young man who seems to know things about him no stranger should know.
I won’t spoil the plot, because if you’ve already read it, you’ll know it anyway - and if not, you should go in blindly, and get yourself caught up in the slightly spooky atmosphere of Hillock Beach, where not everything and everyone is as they seem at first sight.
Despite the touches of paranormal activities, I loved the realism of it, the way the characters were imperfect, but lovable.
Thank you so much, Snjez, for making me pick it up, it’s really turned out to be one of my favourite reads this year ❤️
Some spoiler-free quotes I loved:
Orion and I were completely different. Because I’d always played it safe. I’d always been safe. But self-imposed safety came with sacrifice, I’d learned. Opportunities lost. Chances not taken. Desires unfulfilled.
(…)
Sunday morning, I got up with the sun, and my jog on the beach felt slightly less painful than last time. And by less painful, I mean I only wanted to die myself, unlike my prior runs where I wanted to take others down with me. Mainly the perky runners I passed who actually had enough air in their lungs to say ‘Good morning’ while I loped along like an asthmatic werewolf with two lame feet.
I felt so seen with this one 🤣
And finally:
This was my life now. A hell of a lot less dull than it used to be, but also peaceful and contented. I was who I was supposed to be. I was where I was supposed to be. And I was whole.
June 12, 2020
2 Stars
DNF @ 41% and still there is no trace of any romance here and I'm not really into this type of PNR…
DNF @ 41% and still there is no trace of any romance here and I'm not really into this type of PNR…
May 25, 2020
5 Stars
Darien Cox has a beautiful knack for writing complex, quirky, mesmerizing, and unconventional stories. His characters fascinate me with their beguiling, charismatic, and enigmatic natures; neither angel nor devil, but somewhere in between (and often skirting the edges of both).
What made this story perfect for me was the endearing sweetness, tinged with a hint of sadness, that permeates it. There are elements of hurt/comfort that had me wanting to hug and comfort the characters like they were my own close friends.
This is the kind of story that is hard for me to review because I would invariably spoil it by revealing all the mysteries that unfold. Therefore, let me just say that I loved it and read it all in one sitting. It was so good that I could not put it down.
Thank you Jennifer☠Pher☠ for writing a fantastic review and putting this story on my radar.
Highly recommend!
Read via KU
Darien Cox has a beautiful knack for writing complex, quirky, mesmerizing, and unconventional stories. His characters fascinate me with their beguiling, charismatic, and enigmatic natures; neither angel nor devil, but somewhere in between (and often skirting the edges of both).
What made this story perfect for me was the endearing sweetness, tinged with a hint of sadness, that permeates it. There are elements of hurt/comfort that had me wanting to hug and comfort the characters like they were my own close friends.
This is the kind of story that is hard for me to review because I would invariably spoil it by revealing all the mysteries that unfold. Therefore, let me just say that I loved it and read it all in one sitting. It was so good that I could not put it down.
Thank you Jennifer☠Pher☠ for writing a fantastic review and putting this story on my radar.
Highly recommend!
Read via KU
March 20, 2021
I loved loved loved Kurt and Orion. This book had me up half the night, hanging onto every word, thinking “just one more chapter” all the way to 5am.
I loved the paranormal aspect, the quirky beach town, and every single imperfect character. But I especially adored Orion. He went through hell and back as a child, but he just kept on being his amazing self and built himself an amazing eccentric life. He wasn’t perfect, but he was awesome.
I loved Kurt, with all his insecurities. It can sometimes annoy me in a character, but here it just felt real.
Kurt’s father, Jasper. People make mistakes. And then they have to live with them. I hated him at times but was also oddly fond of him.
Highly recommend this book. It was so much fun, while still giving me all the feels.
I loved the paranormal aspect, the quirky beach town, and every single imperfect character. But I especially adored Orion. He went through hell and back as a child, but he just kept on being his amazing self and built himself an amazing eccentric life. He wasn’t perfect, but he was awesome.
I loved Kurt, with all his insecurities. It can sometimes annoy me in a character, but here it just felt real.
Kurt’s father, Jasper. People make mistakes. And then they have to live with them. I hated him at times but was also oddly fond of him.
Highly recommend this book. It was so much fun, while still giving me all the feels.
November 11, 2021
4.75 stars ⭐️ I JUST LOVED THIS BOOK.
I just loved how realistic these characters were. I really felt them.
I loved Kurt and Orion so much. Kurt had his own insecurities and flaws to deal with, and that made me realize how imperfect he was as a character. But he was amazing with his generous heart that was filled with full of love.
On the other hand, Orion was a very lovable guy. All I knew was that I was falling for him. Orion just melted my heart. I wanted to hug him for being such a strong guy because the things he had to face in his childhood were not the events anyone ever experienced in their childhood.
Despite everything, Orion was such an optimistic guy that I wanted to see him in my real life too as a friend.
Kurt and Orion had great chemistry, and their banter was excellent. But I liked to see more of their relationship even though the book was crazy long. I just loved to see more of both of them being intimate with each other.
“Something about Orion just made me feel good even when everything in my life was generally shitty. He was funny and strange and kept me on my toes. He challenged me and wasn’t at all afraid to tell me if I was being a dick. But at the same time, he had a genuine warmth to him, an easy compassion, and incredibly good insights.”
I loved the relationship both had with Kurt’s father, Jasper. Jasper was something. I really liked him.
And then there were paranormal things that was going on. It made me curious about the story, and the author has delivered the spooky part very well.
I just loved how realistic these characters were. I really felt them.
I loved Kurt and Orion so much. Kurt had his own insecurities and flaws to deal with, and that made me realize how imperfect he was as a character. But he was amazing with his generous heart that was filled with full of love.
On the other hand, Orion was a very lovable guy. All I knew was that I was falling for him. Orion just melted my heart. I wanted to hug him for being such a strong guy because the things he had to face in his childhood were not the events anyone ever experienced in their childhood.
Despite everything, Orion was such an optimistic guy that I wanted to see him in my real life too as a friend.
Kurt and Orion had great chemistry, and their banter was excellent. But I liked to see more of their relationship even though the book was crazy long. I just loved to see more of both of them being intimate with each other.
“Something about Orion just made me feel good even when everything in my life was generally shitty. He was funny and strange and kept me on my toes. He challenged me and wasn’t at all afraid to tell me if I was being a dick. But at the same time, he had a genuine warmth to him, an easy compassion, and incredibly good insights.”
I loved the relationship both had with Kurt’s father, Jasper. Jasper was something. I really liked him.
And then there were paranormal things that was going on. It made me curious about the story, and the author has delivered the spooky part very well.
July 4, 2023
4.25 stars
The thing I love most about Darien Cox is that he writes fresh and creative stories. There is nothing remotely cliche about his romances.
He makes me root for people that I don't want to root for. People who are flawed and do things that I don't like. In this case, those people were A LOT of the side characters who played integral roles in this story.
I adored these two MCs. They were refreshing and honest. The banter and the passion were done so well.
My one niggle, just a preference, is there was no penetrative sex. Other than kissing, that's my favorite part of romance books. I wish it had been included, because their scenes were so intimate and passionate otherwise.
Fans of Darien will really enjoy this. Recommended!
The thing I love most about Darien Cox is that he writes fresh and creative stories. There is nothing remotely cliche about his romances.
He makes me root for people that I don't want to root for. People who are flawed and do things that I don't like. In this case, those people were A LOT of the side characters who played integral roles in this story.
I adored these two MCs. They were refreshing and honest. The banter and the passion were done so well.
My one niggle, just a preference, is there was no penetrative sex. Other than kissing, that's my favorite part of romance books. I wish it had been included, because their scenes were so intimate and passionate otherwise.
Fans of Darien will really enjoy this. Recommended!
May 20, 2020
*4.5 stars*
Whatever he writes, I'll read. One of the very, VERY few authors (I can count them on the fingers of one hand) that can get me to read paranormal. Recommended!
Whatever he writes, I'll read. One of the very, VERY few authors (I can count them on the fingers of one hand) that can get me to read paranormal. Recommended!
August 20, 2020
4.5 Stars
I loved this one so much!
I loved this one so much!
May 17, 2020
4,5 stars
I loved it.
It is refreshingly different, and that’s not only because of the paranormal element which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The characters themselves captivated me immediately, starting with the MCs - recently divorced Kurt who’s riddled with a lack of self-confidence, and mysterious Orion, whose secrets are revealed gradually.
There’s also retired widower Jasper, Kurt’s dad, who has issues of his own, and Orion’s psychically talented acquired brother and sister, Chapel and Kora. Each of these characters left a lasting impression which doesn’t often happen like this.
And the plot is intriguing and intricate – ghosts, spites, trust issues, love triangles and all. Not to forget the sizzling chemistry between Kurt and Orion, which is off the charts. I always love firsts and with Kurt discovering his bi-sexuality there are plenty of those – not that he’s particularly rattled by it. The fact that Orion makes him feel alive and stirs emotions in him he didn’t know he’s capable off, is enough for him to fully throw himself into everything new. (Just a shame that we never experience their first time going all the way!)
I just really liked the slight quirkiness and spookiness of it all, and how the author slowly unravels the mysteries of the past.
Highly recommended.
I loved it.
It is refreshingly different, and that’s not only because of the paranormal element which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The characters themselves captivated me immediately, starting with the MCs - recently divorced Kurt who’s riddled with a lack of self-confidence, and mysterious Orion, whose secrets are revealed gradually.
There’s also retired widower Jasper, Kurt’s dad, who has issues of his own, and Orion’s psychically talented acquired brother and sister, Chapel and Kora. Each of these characters left a lasting impression which doesn’t often happen like this.
And the plot is intriguing and intricate – ghosts, spites, trust issues, love triangles and all. Not to forget the sizzling chemistry between Kurt and Orion, which is off the charts. I always love firsts and with Kurt discovering his bi-sexuality there are plenty of those – not that he’s particularly rattled by it. The fact that Orion makes him feel alive and stirs emotions in him he didn’t know he’s capable off, is enough for him to fully throw himself into everything new. (Just a shame that we never experience their first time going all the way!)
I just really liked the slight quirkiness and spookiness of it all, and how the author slowly unravels the mysteries of the past.
Highly recommended.
May 26, 2020
4.5 stars.
May 28, 2020
I can totally see why lots of people like this book. The writing has something compelling about it. And I was definitely sucked in from the first page. Still, there were two things that made me dislike this book.
One is that I disliked Orion. I just couldn't get a good feel for him. Might be because we never got his POV, but I'm not sure that was it. It could also be because everyone was constantly telling Kurt how manipulative Orion was that I kept seeing that side of him. And I never like manipulative people, even if they are basically good inside like Orion.
The second thing that bothered me was one scene. I think most people won't have an issue with it at all, but I did. I don't mind the couple in my book having a fight. Every couple fights. But I do care how this plays out. And it makes me incredibly sad when things get really hurtful. I always feel that some things can never be unsaid.
The fact that Kurt jumped to conclusions and obviously still not trusted Orion enough, made for a really hurtful scene. And it wasn't just Kurt's fault. Orion had withheld the information and Jasper, Kurt's father, had been filling Kurt's head with thoughts that Orion was manipulative.
So I've come to the conclusion that I just had a hard time liking these guys and some things they did. I did like that they were not perfect, but I still thought they could have handled things differently.
Just know that I'm really particular about how fights play out in my books. Lots of people love this book, so don't pay attention to this review if you're thinking of reading this. :)
One is that I disliked Orion. I just couldn't get a good feel for him. Might be because we never got his POV, but I'm not sure that was it. It could also be because everyone was constantly telling Kurt how manipulative Orion was that I kept seeing that side of him. And I never like manipulative people, even if they are basically good inside like Orion.
The second thing that bothered me was one scene. I think most people won't have an issue with it at all, but I did. I don't mind the couple in my book having a fight. Every couple fights. But I do care how this plays out. And it makes me incredibly sad when things get really hurtful. I always feel that some things can never be unsaid.
The fact that Kurt jumped to conclusions and obviously still not trusted Orion enough, made for a really hurtful scene. And it wasn't just Kurt's fault. Orion had withheld the information and Jasper, Kurt's father, had been filling Kurt's head with thoughts that Orion was manipulative.
So I've come to the conclusion that I just had a hard time liking these guys and some things they did. I did like that they were not perfect, but I still thought they could have handled things differently.
Just know that I'm really particular about how fights play out in my books. Lots of people love this book, so don't pay attention to this review if you're thinking of reading this. :)
May 19, 2020
3.5 Stars
I had a lot of compassion for Kurt and felt he was treated quite poorly following his divorce. However, I think I preferred the first half much more as I was intrigued with the paranormal aspect but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I struggled to connect with Orion and even though the age gap was only 10 years, it sometimes felt as if Kurt was more of a father figure.
I had a lot of compassion for Kurt and felt he was treated quite poorly following his divorce. However, I think I preferred the first half much more as I was intrigued with the paranormal aspect but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I struggled to connect with Orion and even though the age gap was only 10 years, it sometimes felt as if Kurt was more of a father figure.
June 6, 2020
Kurt Varley is a 36-years-old man going through a rough patch. Recently divorced, grieving for the passing of his mother and with a grumpy and belligerent dad to deal with, his life seems to be spiralling out of control.
A casual encounter with a mouthy clown at an amusement park will change his life upside down by opening up family secrets, unsaid truths and even some supernatural events.
The plot of Tempting Fools is really fun and full of events going from bizarre to creepy in a seamless and very effective manner.
The characters are strong and interesting. Kurt is endearing in his almost-midlife-crisis confusion. Considered dull and closed-off by the people who know him, he hides a lot of insecurities and depths that keep brewing under his controlled behaviour. The meeting - and subsequent clash - with Orion works as a sort of cannonball that brings down all of Kurt's defences and uncertainties.
Orion - flamboyant, mercurial and straightforward - is a force of nature. Coming from a very traumatic past, he has a survival instinct that pushes him forward towards his objectives but he is also easily hurt by the people he loves when he perceives them as doubting and suspecting him.
The secondary characters are also very nice. Jasper, Kurt's father, is especially interesting. A bizarre mixture of a standoffish military man and wild ageing hippie, he can drive poor Kurt mad and confuse the hell out of him with all his secrets and mysterious past.
There are various plots intersecting in the novel - the romantic plotline is just one part of a wider tapestry that includes background stories and some creepy supernatural occurrences that are a really nice addition.
The writing style is rich and varied, with a subtle irony that pops up at unexpected moments.
Tempting Fools by Darien Cox was a truly lovely discovery and I'll definitely seek out more books by this author.
Really recommended!
A casual encounter with a mouthy clown at an amusement park will change his life upside down by opening up family secrets, unsaid truths and even some supernatural events.
The plot of Tempting Fools is really fun and full of events going from bizarre to creepy in a seamless and very effective manner.
The characters are strong and interesting. Kurt is endearing in his almost-midlife-crisis confusion. Considered dull and closed-off by the people who know him, he hides a lot of insecurities and depths that keep brewing under his controlled behaviour. The meeting - and subsequent clash - with Orion works as a sort of cannonball that brings down all of Kurt's defences and uncertainties.
Orion - flamboyant, mercurial and straightforward - is a force of nature. Coming from a very traumatic past, he has a survival instinct that pushes him forward towards his objectives but he is also easily hurt by the people he loves when he perceives them as doubting and suspecting him.
The secondary characters are also very nice. Jasper, Kurt's father, is especially interesting. A bizarre mixture of a standoffish military man and wild ageing hippie, he can drive poor Kurt mad and confuse the hell out of him with all his secrets and mysterious past.
There are various plots intersecting in the novel - the romantic plotline is just one part of a wider tapestry that includes background stories and some creepy supernatural occurrences that are a really nice addition.
The writing style is rich and varied, with a subtle irony that pops up at unexpected moments.
Tempting Fools by Darien Cox was a truly lovely discovery and I'll definitely seek out more books by this author.
Really recommended!
May 22, 2020
This was my first book by Darien Cox and I was blown away. It’s rare that I connect with the characters and get engrossed in the story so quickly.
Darien’s story-telling is one of a kind - it’s not a book that’s feels like a rehash of a million other books. I would have given it five stars just for its originality, but the complexity of his character building, the relationship building and sexual tension and the mystical elements made everything come together perfectly.
The story’s about Kurt, a recently divorced father of two who’s in a rut in life until he crosses paths with one of the workers at a local carnival while he’s on a date with a woman. Much to his date’s annoyance, Kurt can’t get the sexy man and what he said to Kurt out of his thoughts, and that begins a story of love, forgiveness and renewal that has plenty of surprising twists along the way.
This book had supernatural elements - spirits and psychic abilities - and there were a few points where I really had to suspend belief, but it worked with the plot and it gave the story and its beautiful setting a bit of a mystical shroud. I adored Kurt and Orion and wanted them to find their happiness.
And I agree with other GRs that it seemed a little odd and slightly out of character that these two MCs held back from penetrative sex, but there was still enough steam and tension in the book to keep things plenty interesting. It didn’t take away much from the story.
Five stars - thanks to my GR friends who recommended this book!
Darien’s story-telling is one of a kind - it’s not a book that’s feels like a rehash of a million other books. I would have given it five stars just for its originality, but the complexity of his character building, the relationship building and sexual tension and the mystical elements made everything come together perfectly.
The story’s about Kurt, a recently divorced father of two who’s in a rut in life until he crosses paths with one of the workers at a local carnival while he’s on a date with a woman. Much to his date’s annoyance, Kurt can’t get the sexy man and what he said to Kurt out of his thoughts, and that begins a story of love, forgiveness and renewal that has plenty of surprising twists along the way.
This book had supernatural elements - spirits and psychic abilities - and there were a few points where I really had to suspend belief, but it worked with the plot and it gave the story and its beautiful setting a bit of a mystical shroud. I adored Kurt and Orion and wanted them to find their happiness.
And I agree with other GRs that it seemed a little odd and slightly out of character that these two MCs held back from penetrative sex, but there was still enough steam and tension in the book to keep things plenty interesting. It didn’t take away much from the story.
Five stars - thanks to my GR friends who recommended this book!
dnf
July 7, 2020DNF at 20%
No rating. Here's my update at said 20%:
"Wow, I’m trying to remember the last book that shocked me with the sheer excessive amount of narrative, the substantial level of entirely too much tell and very little show. Add to that the fact I don’t like anyone, and the melodrama between the primary protagonist and his father, and that’s enough to set this book aside."
No rating. Here's my update at said 20%:
"Wow, I’m trying to remember the last book that shocked me with the sheer excessive amount of narrative, the substantial level of entirely too much tell and very little show. Add to that the fact I don’t like anyone, and the melodrama between the primary protagonist and his father, and that’s enough to set this book aside."
October 25, 2023
I liked some aspects of this but ultimately, the execution fell short of what I wanted. I want to complain about two small but important things first.
1. The page count says 269 in most places I checked but the version I read was definitely much longer. The Kobo site says 371 pages and that seems much closer to what I think it is. I generally steer clear of books that are more than 350 pages because they tend to drag and sure enough, that was a major issue here. I don't think I would have picked this up if I had known it was close to 400 pages.
2. The first two chapters provide detailed descriptions of Kurt going on a date with a woman (there's no on-page sex but still). Why on earth an MM romance author thinks somebody would pick up an MM romance novel and be happy to have things start off with a detailed MF date is beyond me.
Since I'm already talking about the negatives, I'll continue. The first 3 chapters were so boring and annoying that I came very close to DNFing. The entire book is in Kurt's POV and the first 3 chapters are spent almost entirely in his head, with him angsting over his relationship with his kids post-divorce, his strained relationship with his aging father Jasper and his dumb date with Pointless Female Side Character. These chapters are where he meets Orion so they contain important setup but they dragged and were boring. Thankfully, the 4th chapter is where the plotlines revolving around Jasper/Kurt and Orion/Kurt converge in a really cool way and that's when things got interesting. More on that later.
Unfortunately, I felt the author failed to take advantage of the interesting premise they chose. Orion is an intuitive psychic but it's never clearly explained what that means and his powers come up so infrequently in the story that they might as well have been absent. The important supernatural stuff was done by two side characters, which I felt was an odd and dumb waste of potential. Why would you have one of your MCs possess psychic powers but have that not be an important part of a story that involves a ghost-haunting plotline?
Speaking of the ghost plotline - that wasn't handled well either.
Lastly, it was such a letdown that Kurt's creepy tree carvings weren't used in a supernatural way. Sure, it's realistic that somebody makes creepy tree carvings and they're just creepy tree carvings. But the author went into such detail about each carving and Kurt spends so much time protecting them and worrying the ghost will destroy them...and then nothing happens with them. Orion like he'd planned, but that's it. Again - this was such a waste. I was very sure that it would turn out that Kurt was channeling some special powers by making the carvings or that Orion would interact with them in some way, but nope. They're just creepy tree carvings.
Since the fantasy elements were boring, you'd think the author would have put all their energy into the romance, right? Well, yes and no. The path to getting the MCs together was done well (more on that later) but once the MCs are together, their relationship became repetitive. The only conflict the author could come up with was communication issues and things were always the same: Kurt is too closed off and doesn't know how to communicate effectively and Orion has zero patience or understanding for Kurt's difficulties and gets angry at him whenever Kurt struggles to say the right thing. Then Kurt apologizes and promises to do better, Orion forgives him and they have sex. Rinse and repeat until the story ends. It wasn't just repetitive, but I got annoyed with Orion because I felt he was unfairly harsh to Kurt. Yelling at the guy constantly and telling him he's a horrible communicator doesn't help. Help him a little! Give him examples of what you need! Help steer the conversation in the direction you want it to go! Don't just stand there and get angry that Kurt isn't magically changing into the person you want him to be. Ugh.
I had some complaints about Kurt too. The majority of the story involves him internally monologuing to himself as he angsts over his various issues and relationships with different people. Some of his angsting was interesting, particularly when he'd go through entire conversations in his head while he's with Orion so readers know a lot more about Kurt's thoughts than Orion does. But a lot of his angsting was repetitive and very drawn out. I was constantly skimming through paragraphs. I was also disappointed that .
I also hated the last chapter because for some odd reason, the author decided to heavily focus on Kurt's ex-wife and his kids in that chapter. The kids were oddly absent for the majority of the story (they never show up on page and there's only one on-page phone conversation between Kurt and his daughter). Kurt's relationship with his kids is a huge part of this story so it was weird not having the kids be present. But I don't think the author would have done a good job of that anyway so I didn't really mind. What I did mind was having the rarely-mentioned ex-wife suddenly be a big part of the final chapter. Even worse, the final chapter is nearly all telling instead of showing with the author rapidly throwing info at the readers to catch them up on what's happened in the MCs lives. This entire things was pointless. I would have much rather had the last chapter show or something else meaningful between the MCs.
Speaking of female characters, I absolutely hated Claudette . I don't understand what the author was trying to do with that character. The author seemed to go back and forth between trying to humanize her and make her seem like a victim of Jasper (much like Kurt's mom was) but on the other hand, the author kept introducing more and more elements that made Claudette unlikeable. When we find out near the end that . I hated her and my hatred for her got deeper as the story progressed. She wasn't a hugely important part of the story so I don't understand what the author's point with her was.
This all being said, there were some parts of the story I did enjoy. I loved the characterizations for Orion and Kurt and how the author balanced their age gap with their personalities and life experiences. Kurt got his ex-wife pregnant when they were both 18 and they divorced a year before the story starts, which means he's spent 18 years living a pretty routine life. Despite being nearly 10 years older than Orion, Kurt is a lot more naïve about the world and he's also never had the chance to explore his bisexuality so all of that is new to him and Orion is his guide in those matters. Orion has had a very tough life but he's also a happy ray of sunshine in contrast to Kurt being a quiet grump. I loved all of these differences between them because they kept the MCs on a level playing field and I adored them as a couple.
I also really liked Jasper (Kurt's dad) and his wonderful relationship with Orion and Kurt. Jasper has been involved in Orion's life since the latter was a child but due to Jasper's role in Orion's life having to remain secret for legal reasons, Kurt and Orion grew up having equally close relationships with Jasper but never meeting each other. Throughout the story, it was great having both Orion and Kurt's relationships with Jasper change individually and also as a family unit. Jasper was a great character and I adored how the author used his complex past and his relationship with both of his 'sons' to add excitement and much needed conflict to what was otherwise a dull story.
Another thing I loved was Orion's heartbreaking story of how he went from being a happy little kid who accidentally discovered his special abilities to . It was wonderful how the author used Orion's powers as the catalyst that created the entire situation and I thought it was a very creative, heartbreaking story. It reminded me a lot of Jonah's backstory in KJ Charles' Jackdaw. In particular, I loved how the author wove many elements of Orion's past into his present because we start out learning about those things in the present without realizing the heavy emotional significance behind them. For example - Orion has a job as a clown at the fair and he's also a fire dancer at the club. These things seem like unusual, quirky jobs but there's nothing dark about them. But when we learn that it gave Orion's jobs in the present a bittersweet feel. I also liked the explanation behind how/why Jasper ended up having an affair with Orion's foster mother.
Lastly, I liked how Orion and Kurt's relationship went from antagonistic strangers who each believed the other was harming Jasper in some way to becoming Jasper's co-caregivers, then bonding over shared interests and eventually falling for each other. Their chemistry was great and I had no problem rooting for them as a couple. The fact that their relationship became a snooze-fest once they got together was unfortunate, but I still liked how it started.
Overall, the story had plenty of potential and it could have been great but the execution fell flat. There wasn't enough plot to support this massive length and even the plot that existed wasn't as interesting as it could have been. It's too bad because Kurt, Orion and Jasper were great.
1. The page count says 269 in most places I checked but the version I read was definitely much longer. The Kobo site says 371 pages and that seems much closer to what I think it is. I generally steer clear of books that are more than 350 pages because they tend to drag and sure enough, that was a major issue here. I don't think I would have picked this up if I had known it was close to 400 pages.
2. The first two chapters provide detailed descriptions of Kurt going on a date with a woman (there's no on-page sex but still). Why on earth an MM romance author thinks somebody would pick up an MM romance novel and be happy to have things start off with a detailed MF date is beyond me.
Since I'm already talking about the negatives, I'll continue. The first 3 chapters were so boring and annoying that I came very close to DNFing. The entire book is in Kurt's POV and the first 3 chapters are spent almost entirely in his head, with him angsting over his relationship with his kids post-divorce, his strained relationship with his aging father Jasper and his dumb date with Pointless Female Side Character. These chapters are where he meets Orion so they contain important setup but they dragged and were boring. Thankfully, the 4th chapter is where the plotlines revolving around Jasper/Kurt and Orion/Kurt converge in a really cool way and that's when things got interesting. More on that later.
Unfortunately, I felt the author failed to take advantage of the interesting premise they chose. Orion is an intuitive psychic but it's never clearly explained what that means and his powers come up so infrequently in the story that they might as well have been absent. The important supernatural stuff was done by two side characters, which I felt was an odd and dumb waste of potential. Why would you have one of your MCs possess psychic powers but have that not be an important part of a story that involves a ghost-haunting plotline?
Speaking of the ghost plotline - that wasn't handled well either.
Lastly, it was such a letdown that Kurt's creepy tree carvings weren't used in a supernatural way. Sure, it's realistic that somebody makes creepy tree carvings and they're just creepy tree carvings. But the author went into such detail about each carving and Kurt spends so much time protecting them and worrying the ghost will destroy them...and then nothing happens with them. Orion like he'd planned, but that's it. Again - this was such a waste. I was very sure that it would turn out that Kurt was channeling some special powers by making the carvings or that Orion would interact with them in some way, but nope. They're just creepy tree carvings.
Since the fantasy elements were boring, you'd think the author would have put all their energy into the romance, right? Well, yes and no. The path to getting the MCs together was done well (more on that later) but once the MCs are together, their relationship became repetitive. The only conflict the author could come up with was communication issues and things were always the same: Kurt is too closed off and doesn't know how to communicate effectively and Orion has zero patience or understanding for Kurt's difficulties and gets angry at him whenever Kurt struggles to say the right thing. Then Kurt apologizes and promises to do better, Orion forgives him and they have sex. Rinse and repeat until the story ends. It wasn't just repetitive, but I got annoyed with Orion because I felt he was unfairly harsh to Kurt. Yelling at the guy constantly and telling him he's a horrible communicator doesn't help. Help him a little! Give him examples of what you need! Help steer the conversation in the direction you want it to go! Don't just stand there and get angry that Kurt isn't magically changing into the person you want him to be. Ugh.
I had some complaints about Kurt too. The majority of the story involves him internally monologuing to himself as he angsts over his various issues and relationships with different people. Some of his angsting was interesting, particularly when he'd go through entire conversations in his head while he's with Orion so readers know a lot more about Kurt's thoughts than Orion does. But a lot of his angsting was repetitive and very drawn out. I was constantly skimming through paragraphs. I was also disappointed that .
I also hated the last chapter because for some odd reason, the author decided to heavily focus on Kurt's ex-wife and his kids in that chapter. The kids were oddly absent for the majority of the story (they never show up on page and there's only one on-page phone conversation between Kurt and his daughter). Kurt's relationship with his kids is a huge part of this story so it was weird not having the kids be present. But I don't think the author would have done a good job of that anyway so I didn't really mind. What I did mind was having the rarely-mentioned ex-wife suddenly be a big part of the final chapter. Even worse, the final chapter is nearly all telling instead of showing with the author rapidly throwing info at the readers to catch them up on what's happened in the MCs lives. This entire things was pointless. I would have much rather had the last chapter show or something else meaningful between the MCs.
Speaking of female characters, I absolutely hated Claudette . I don't understand what the author was trying to do with that character. The author seemed to go back and forth between trying to humanize her and make her seem like a victim of Jasper (much like Kurt's mom was) but on the other hand, the author kept introducing more and more elements that made Claudette unlikeable. When we find out near the end that . I hated her and my hatred for her got deeper as the story progressed. She wasn't a hugely important part of the story so I don't understand what the author's point with her was.
This all being said, there were some parts of the story I did enjoy. I loved the characterizations for Orion and Kurt and how the author balanced their age gap with their personalities and life experiences. Kurt got his ex-wife pregnant when they were both 18 and they divorced a year before the story starts, which means he's spent 18 years living a pretty routine life. Despite being nearly 10 years older than Orion, Kurt is a lot more naïve about the world and he's also never had the chance to explore his bisexuality so all of that is new to him and Orion is his guide in those matters. Orion has had a very tough life but he's also a happy ray of sunshine in contrast to Kurt being a quiet grump. I loved all of these differences between them because they kept the MCs on a level playing field and I adored them as a couple.
I also really liked Jasper (Kurt's dad) and his wonderful relationship with Orion and Kurt. Jasper has been involved in Orion's life since the latter was a child but due to Jasper's role in Orion's life having to remain secret for legal reasons, Kurt and Orion grew up having equally close relationships with Jasper but never meeting each other. Throughout the story, it was great having both Orion and Kurt's relationships with Jasper change individually and also as a family unit. Jasper was a great character and I adored how the author used his complex past and his relationship with both of his 'sons' to add excitement and much needed conflict to what was otherwise a dull story.
Another thing I loved was Orion's heartbreaking story of how he went from being a happy little kid who accidentally discovered his special abilities to . It was wonderful how the author used Orion's powers as the catalyst that created the entire situation and I thought it was a very creative, heartbreaking story. It reminded me a lot of Jonah's backstory in KJ Charles' Jackdaw. In particular, I loved how the author wove many elements of Orion's past into his present because we start out learning about those things in the present without realizing the heavy emotional significance behind them. For example - Orion has a job as a clown at the fair and he's also a fire dancer at the club. These things seem like unusual, quirky jobs but there's nothing dark about them. But when we learn that it gave Orion's jobs in the present a bittersweet feel. I also liked the explanation behind how/why Jasper ended up having an affair with Orion's foster mother.
Lastly, I liked how Orion and Kurt's relationship went from antagonistic strangers who each believed the other was harming Jasper in some way to becoming Jasper's co-caregivers, then bonding over shared interests and eventually falling for each other. Their chemistry was great and I had no problem rooting for them as a couple. The fact that their relationship became a snooze-fest once they got together was unfortunate, but I still liked how it started.
Overall, the story had plenty of potential and it could have been great but the execution fell flat. There wasn't enough plot to support this massive length and even the plot that existed wasn't as interesting as it could have been. It's too bad because Kurt, Orion and Jasper were great.
August 3, 2020
This book had no plot. There were impressions of what the plot might have and could have been but for me overall it just felt like a bunch of words on a page. Orion and Kurt didn’t go together. They just didn’t fit. It was more like I’m here, you’re here let’s combine our worst qualities and see if they fit 🤷🏽♀️. I got where Orion’s attraction might have come from since he lived in the shadows of Kurt’s life but, I feel like Kurt’s attraction came from a place of loneliness. For them to have been the MC’s they sure were background to a lot of side characters especially Jasper. I get that they needed a link to be in each other’s orbit but Jasper was IMO a selfish person.
There was a lot of angst about things that were forgiven way too easily. Jasper was a shitty person He was unlikable and irredeemable and his bullshit was constantly overlooked cos he was the kooky broken-hearted old man therefore shouldn’t be held accountable for past decisions 😒. His character alone was a DNF waiting to happen.
I was also turned off by the fact that everyone felt too comfortable with asking Kurt to keep their secrets.
What in the ever loving fuck?!?
It’s safe to say I didn’t like this book at all.
This author is a hit or miss for me. I either like his books or I don’t. There is no middle ground for me and this book was a definite miss.
There was a lot of angst about things that were forgiven way too easily. Jasper was a shitty person He was unlikable and irredeemable and his bullshit was constantly overlooked cos he was the kooky broken-hearted old man therefore shouldn’t be held accountable for past decisions 😒. His character alone was a DNF waiting to happen.
I was also turned off by the fact that everyone felt too comfortable with asking Kurt to keep their secrets.
What in the ever loving fuck?!?
It’s safe to say I didn’t like this book at all.
This author is a hit or miss for me. I either like his books or I don’t. There is no middle ground for me and this book was a definite miss.
May 29, 2020
3.5 stars?
The writing was delightful but the character and the plot...not so much. I think Orion was meant to be sassy but he just came across as bitchy. And as much as I like gullible Kurt, I don’t really get their connection?
Also, what drew me to the story was the psychic / paranormal aspect. Let’s just say it fell short for me 😕 while I didn’t expect a full on paranormal story, I at least hoped for an interesting explanation. At this point, I’d settle for a mystery instead of what we ultimately got.
It’s a bit wasted because the writing was awesome. It sucked me in and transported me into the story. It’s just... the story elements couldn’t keep me there ☹️
The writing was delightful but the character and the plot...not so much. I think Orion was meant to be sassy but he just came across as bitchy. And as much as I like gullible Kurt, I don’t really get their connection?
Also, what drew me to the story was the psychic / paranormal aspect. Let’s just say it fell short for me 😕 while I didn’t expect a full on paranormal story, I at least hoped for an interesting explanation. At this point, I’d settle for a mystery instead of what we ultimately got.
It’s a bit wasted because the writing was awesome. It sucked me in and transported me into the story. It’s just... the story elements couldn’t keep me there ☹️
June 1, 2020
Oh I absolutely loved this, I couldn't put it down.
We're introduced to Kurt, a 36-year-old divorcee of one year who has teenage twins, and he is living alone, his kids going to live with his ex-wife.
Kurt has tried to get into dating again, and he is on a date at the local carnival park when the clown at the dunk game catches his interest.
Because the clown isn't the usual one that's been there for years and years, but an obviously good looking one under the clown make up, and the way he looks at Kurt does things to him.
When the rest of Kurt's date goes sideways, he heads back to where his truck is at and see the clown again, only he's out of his costume and even more attractive and sexy looking than before, and Kurt is drawn to him.
Turns out his name is Orion Starr, and he's a little mysterious. But after a visit with his father- who Kurt has had a hard time staying close with, partly because of himself but in large part because of his father, Jasper - Kurt finds out more about Orion than he was expecting, and things then get a little heated between them before they really talk and things seem to change between them.
But Orion and is still somewhat mysterious, and Kurt is first in denial that he has feelings for him, and he has insecurities that make him feel like Orion couldn't possibly like him.
Plus on top of it all, Kurt house seems to be haunted.
So Kurt's life is a little complicated, to say the least.
I loved Kurt and Orion together, I loved their chemistry, and this was a really fun story too. Their romance was amazing, and while it was somewhat light on the steam, what steam was there was good and it was hot, so I wasn't too bothered.
I loved Jasper, Kurt's father who was a pretty big secondary character and who is important in both Kurt and Orion's lives.
I loved these two so much that I wish we could get a little more, maybe some extras or something like that to see them settling into their HEA together.
My only (small) complaint would be we didn't get Orion's POV in this and I sooo wish we could have gotten it, I would have loved reading it, reading his thoughts and feelings about Kurt.
Definitely recommend this, though, I loved it to bits. Two massive thumbs up from me!
We're introduced to Kurt, a 36-year-old divorcee of one year who has teenage twins, and he is living alone, his kids going to live with his ex-wife.
Kurt has tried to get into dating again, and he is on a date at the local carnival park when the clown at the dunk game catches his interest.
Because the clown isn't the usual one that's been there for years and years, but an obviously good looking one under the clown make up, and the way he looks at Kurt does things to him.
When the rest of Kurt's date goes sideways, he heads back to where his truck is at and see the clown again, only he's out of his costume and even more attractive and sexy looking than before, and Kurt is drawn to him.
Turns out his name is Orion Starr, and he's a little mysterious. But after a visit with his father- who Kurt has had a hard time staying close with, partly because of himself but in large part because of his father, Jasper - Kurt finds out more about Orion than he was expecting, and things then get a little heated between them before they really talk and things seem to change between them.
But Orion and is still somewhat mysterious, and Kurt is first in denial that he has feelings for him, and he has insecurities that make him feel like Orion couldn't possibly like him.
Plus on top of it all, Kurt house seems to be haunted.
So Kurt's life is a little complicated, to say the least.
I loved Kurt and Orion together, I loved their chemistry, and this was a really fun story too. Their romance was amazing, and while it was somewhat light on the steam, what steam was there was good and it was hot, so I wasn't too bothered.
I loved Jasper, Kurt's father who was a pretty big secondary character and who is important in both Kurt and Orion's lives.
I loved these two so much that I wish we could get a little more, maybe some extras or something like that to see them settling into their HEA together.
My only (small) complaint would be we didn't get Orion's POV in this and I sooo wish we could have gotten it, I would have loved reading it, reading his thoughts and feelings about Kurt.
Definitely recommend this, though, I loved it to bits. Two massive thumbs up from me!
June 6, 2023
Thank you for the positive recommendations on this book ~Nicole~ and beautiful journey｡! Do I blame you for my Scribd renewal? Yes. Was it worth it? Hell, yes! 🤣 I can't believe I've never read a Darien Cox book before because this is a really good story. I have to rectify that.
It's been a long time since I read something that does not go too crazy on plot and is just genuinely good. Very refreshing. The only thing that could have made me love this more is if there was an Orion POV. Also, I'm fond of psychic MCs which is why I love ZAM's The Long Way Home. (Maybe I should rummage through all MM's with psychics aside from the Psycop series.)
Anyway, I don't know how to explain it but reading this reminded me of some of my favorite older books. I think it's their imperfections that felt nostalgic to me and the fact they fight like an old married couple even when they were just starting to know each other. Although I said I would've loved to see Orion's POV, I actually like Kurt's. Not too fast nor mumble-y, and surprisingly not too dragging. His confusion, indecision, insecurity, loneliness, and hurt made for realistic storytelling. It makes you want to hug him and make him feel better. Seriously, he loves his family so much but sucks at expressing himself. My heart goes for him. 💔
Orion, on the other hand, is a spitfire who will never take shit from anybody even from someone he loves. Orion appeared to be a very fascinating and likeable individual in Kurt's POV which gives you an impression of wanting to belong to his circle and experience being around him. Sexy and a tease yet vulnerable and loving.
Despite my initial reaction (no kidding, I got angry for a bit), Jasper grew on me. Though it breaks my heart to see him have more affection for Orion than his real son, he's shown his love for Kurt in his own way. I guess, even in real life, we find people we like more than our own family. It just is what it is.
On a side note, I am especially emotional these days which is why more than just enjoying Kurt and Orion's story, I actually felt it. It affected me more than I thought and tears were shed. But even if I wasn't emotional, objectively, this is honestly a wonderful story. ❤️
It's been a long time since I read something that does not go too crazy on plot and is just genuinely good. Very refreshing. The only thing that could have made me love this more is if there was an Orion POV. Also, I'm fond of psychic MCs which is why I love ZAM's The Long Way Home. (Maybe I should rummage through all MM's with psychics aside from the Psycop series.)
Anyway, I don't know how to explain it but reading this reminded me of some of my favorite older books. I think it's their imperfections that felt nostalgic to me and the fact they fight like an old married couple even when they were just starting to know each other. Although I said I would've loved to see Orion's POV, I actually like Kurt's. Not too fast nor mumble-y, and surprisingly not too dragging. His confusion, indecision, insecurity, loneliness, and hurt made for realistic storytelling. It makes you want to hug him and make him feel better. Seriously, he loves his family so much but sucks at expressing himself. My heart goes for him. 💔
Orion, on the other hand, is a spitfire who will never take shit from anybody even from someone he loves. Orion appeared to be a very fascinating and likeable individual in Kurt's POV which gives you an impression of wanting to belong to his circle and experience being around him. Sexy and a tease yet vulnerable and loving.
Despite my initial reaction (no kidding, I got angry for a bit), Jasper grew on me. Though it breaks my heart to see him have more affection for Orion than his real son, he's shown his love for Kurt in his own way. I guess, even in real life, we find people we like more than our own family. It just is what it is.
On a side note, I am especially emotional these days which is why more than just enjoying Kurt and Orion's story, I actually felt it. It affected me more than I thought and tears were shed. But even if I wasn't emotional, objectively, this is honestly a wonderful story. ❤️
June 10, 2020
Wow, that one was the whole package, the story, the characters and the sex was very hot, i loved it
May 20, 2020
I typically avoid books with psychics, but a) I loved the cover b) an author I follow rec'd this c) the only other book I read from Darien Cox was great.
I'm glad that I gave this book a go, because it was lovely. I liked both characters. I enjoyed the story line. The sex scenes were nice. I especially liked
I like that there was no shaming of .
And while I don't like in my books, I didn't really mind it in this one, as it wasn't the main focus of the story.
I'm hoping that Darien Cox will be a permanent addition to Authors-to-Read list.
I'm glad that I gave this book a go, because it was lovely. I liked both characters. I enjoyed the story line. The sex scenes were nice. I especially liked
I like that there was no shaming of .
And while I don't like in my books, I didn't really mind it in this one, as it wasn't the main focus of the story.
I'm hoping that Darien Cox will be a permanent addition to Authors-to-Read list.
August 15, 2020
4 stars
October 8, 2021
New to me author, and I am always thrilled to get m/m that doesn't follow the standard formula, has nice character depth that extends beyond the MCs, a rich setting that includes the non-romance portion of their lives, AND, yes, hot sex :)
One of the tropes wasn't my favorite, and the conclusion to the nicely detailed paranormal plot felt a little anticlimactic for some reason even though there were no lose threads, but I will definitely be reading more from this author.
One of the tropes wasn't my favorite, and the conclusion to the nicely detailed paranormal plot felt a little anticlimactic for some reason even though there were no lose threads, but I will definitely be reading more from this author.
May 15, 2020
I loved this one! Darien’s writing style just makes this book soo engaging. Also enjoyed the realistic dialogues (that’s hard to find) and slow burn romance. I wish there were more sexy times but the sexual tension between Kurt and Orion made up for it!
May 8, 2021
Tempting Fools
By Darien Cox
Published by the author
Four stars
I really liked this book, but had forgotten why I’d picked it up when I got around to reading it. The pleasure of reading it really lay in the author’s ability to embrace the formula of the gay romance novel and make it different, make it meaningful, and make it emotionally authentic
Kurt Varley is not a man I’d care much about normally, and I suspect the author designed him that way. He’s thirty-six, divorced for a year, and the father of almost-eighteen-year-old twins. He was blindsided by the collapse of his marriage to the girlfriend he got pregnant in high school. He is feeling adrift, seemingly shunned by his children and also by his widowed father, Jasper, who refuses to accept his help. To top it off, Kurt’s attempts at rejoining the dating pool have been, to say the least, unproductive.
So, a morose still-young straight guy who has messed up his life without quite understanding how it happened. Yeah, not my notion of a guy who’s going to get much sympathy from me.
Yet, it is the spark of the unexpected that suddenly makes Kurt interesting. In the middle of a disastrous date with a woman who deserves better, Kurt is taunted by a younger man at a seaside fun park—a young man who not only seems to know stuff about him, but also stirs a long-buried attraction to men that Kurt hasn’t felt since middle school.
There we are: the forgotten bisexual. OK. I’m on board.
What ensues, however, is not a strictly by-the-book romance, although the author (himself a mysterious character) does abide by the rules (including various required emotional hurdles and physical intimacy at almost exactly the halfway point in the narrative). Kurt, as much of a suburban-dad dullard as he at first appears, emerges as a gentle guy, sensitive and thoughtful, who has simply been stuck in a life that he didn’t realize was not what he wanted. Like many men in our culture raised to be straight fathers and husbands, he’s lost sight of his inner self, and it’s the disturbing allure of the younger man—with the unlikely name of Orion Starr—that begins to shake him up.
Orion is an even more complex character. In some ways he’s less emotionally troubled than Kurt, but his childhood was an appalling mess, until a good foster mother and—surprise—Kurt’s father Jasper Varley stepped in to set things right. Kurt’s distance from his military-correct father, who himself seems to have had trouble with communication and emotional sharing, makes his unexpected acquaintance with Orion explosive and problematic. It is the author’s exploration of this complicated dynamic between the old man (i.e. my age) and the two younger men who look up to him that gives the book such a rich mine of emotional material.
Darien Cox doesn’t try to make moral absolutes in this story, preferring to dwell in a kind of gray area that forces his characters to think carefully about everything they feel and do. He also makes his readers begin to grasp the notion that the same person can behave very differently to different people—even if they’re all people he loves.
It's messy, and sometimes upsetting, but it feels authentic. It feels surprisingly real.
By Darien Cox
Published by the author
Four stars
I really liked this book, but had forgotten why I’d picked it up when I got around to reading it. The pleasure of reading it really lay in the author’s ability to embrace the formula of the gay romance novel and make it different, make it meaningful, and make it emotionally authentic
Kurt Varley is not a man I’d care much about normally, and I suspect the author designed him that way. He’s thirty-six, divorced for a year, and the father of almost-eighteen-year-old twins. He was blindsided by the collapse of his marriage to the girlfriend he got pregnant in high school. He is feeling adrift, seemingly shunned by his children and also by his widowed father, Jasper, who refuses to accept his help. To top it off, Kurt’s attempts at rejoining the dating pool have been, to say the least, unproductive.
So, a morose still-young straight guy who has messed up his life without quite understanding how it happened. Yeah, not my notion of a guy who’s going to get much sympathy from me.
Yet, it is the spark of the unexpected that suddenly makes Kurt interesting. In the middle of a disastrous date with a woman who deserves better, Kurt is taunted by a younger man at a seaside fun park—a young man who not only seems to know stuff about him, but also stirs a long-buried attraction to men that Kurt hasn’t felt since middle school.
There we are: the forgotten bisexual. OK. I’m on board.
What ensues, however, is not a strictly by-the-book romance, although the author (himself a mysterious character) does abide by the rules (including various required emotional hurdles and physical intimacy at almost exactly the halfway point in the narrative). Kurt, as much of a suburban-dad dullard as he at first appears, emerges as a gentle guy, sensitive and thoughtful, who has simply been stuck in a life that he didn’t realize was not what he wanted. Like many men in our culture raised to be straight fathers and husbands, he’s lost sight of his inner self, and it’s the disturbing allure of the younger man—with the unlikely name of Orion Starr—that begins to shake him up.
Orion is an even more complex character. In some ways he’s less emotionally troubled than Kurt, but his childhood was an appalling mess, until a good foster mother and—surprise—Kurt’s father Jasper Varley stepped in to set things right. Kurt’s distance from his military-correct father, who himself seems to have had trouble with communication and emotional sharing, makes his unexpected acquaintance with Orion explosive and problematic. It is the author’s exploration of this complicated dynamic between the old man (i.e. my age) and the two younger men who look up to him that gives the book such a rich mine of emotional material.
Darien Cox doesn’t try to make moral absolutes in this story, preferring to dwell in a kind of gray area that forces his characters to think carefully about everything they feel and do. He also makes his readers begin to grasp the notion that the same person can behave very differently to different people—even if they’re all people he loves.
It's messy, and sometimes upsetting, but it feels authentic. It feels surprisingly real.
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