The Lighthouse Keeper

by Jason Collins

Love is riskier than chasing down a lead. My aunt loved me like a son—until she mysteriously passed away. Now I’m racing to Briton Bay to put my reporter skills to work. Nicholas, the lighthouse keeper, is a rare new face in this sleepy coastal town, and his connection to my aunt isn’t the only reason I’m interested. He’s not just a neighbor I keep bumping into, he’s a former doctor with a puzzling past I’m endlessly curious about—and a face I wouldn’t mind seeing every day. It isn’t long before we feel an undeniable spark, but our relationship is a new complication. Falling in love on the job wasn’t in my plans. I owe it to my aunt to keep a clear head, but I can’t investigate when all I can think about is Nicholas. I’ll need his insights to get to the bottom of this, and the closer I get, the more I risk heartbreak for us both. As it turns out, Nicholas may be the biggest mystery of all. I wanted a fresh start, but trouble follows me. I moved to Briton Bay to escape my past. It was never the plan to make friends with the locals, least of all my elderly neighbor. Her passing is a shock, but not as much as her nephew, a reporter, arriving in town to investigate. Alex is as sharp as he is hot, and I can’t keep my eyes off him. The last thing I need right now is romance, but I have second thoughts when our investigation brings us closer than I planned. Now there’s more at stake than I ever expected. But the sooner he solves this mystery, the closer he is to leaving town forever. I should keep my heart out of it—but that’s the one thing I can’t do. The more we’re together, the more dangerous this becomes. Note to This is a standalone MM romance.

Genres: Mystery, Contemporary, M M Romance, Crime, Romance, LGBT

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 27, 2020

Reviews

[Jerecho]

There's a touch of mystery, a little bit of suspense, a nice good drama, and a playful effect that will let you guess the ending.

3 stars for the ending is something I think of but the climax doesn't fit or it is just sewn there to make it fit. Still, it's a nice good book.

A lighthouse maybe the light you follow in the sea, but the keeper keeps the light burning for you to see your way in the sea. 😊

Sometimes, you maybe are out of the way but in time someone will guide you through the right path... Stay safe everyone 😘

[Denise H.]

The Lighthouse Keeper, is a mystery that will keep you guessing.
Handsome Journalist, Alex, has come home to Briton Bay...

to settle his Aunt's estate. She left it all to him, and now, an aggressive developer wants her property.
Across the street is a Lighthouse, which is being restored by Nicholas,

who is hiding from his past.
This is a mystery if Aunt Beth's sudden death, and all of the people Alex thinks may have killed her for the house and property. We get twists and turns, clues, and more problems as they unravel the issues. Our guys are about 30, and can't stop sniping at each other, and end up lovers. Very sexy, hot and electric, scenarios are ours to enjoy.



As the story develops, Alex and Nicholas become a team, commit a B & E, and later, after the fire, we get to the grit. The culprit shows their evil, and we need a rescue.

It's fun and sassy, promising, sad, thrilling and more. Answers are discovered and settled. HFN.
ENJOY !

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[Jenn Donald]

This is a bit of a different style from Jason Collins and I have to say that I LOVED it! I think this may be one of my favorites from him. I loved the balance between the mystery side of the story and the romance side, it kept me guessing on both fronts. I also really like Nicholas and Alex as characters, they both have a bit of an edge and don't always get along all swoony and cute, they felt very real.

So, Alex has returned to Briton Bay after his aunt's sudden passing. She was a larger than life woman who left behind a lot of memories, with Alex and with the town. He meets his aunt's neighbor, Nicholas, who is restoring and taking care of the lighthouse. The two definitely don't get off to the greatest start but as they build trust they build a friendship that leads to more. Alex gets suspicious about his aunt's death, not convinced that there wasn't some foul play and before long he starts investigating and brings Nicholas along with him. These two work to uncover secrets in the town and try to figure out what really happened to Beth. Along the way, their connection grows and what starts as a temporary friends hooking up may just be so much more.

This was a fun read, I really enjoyed all sides of this story. I was intrigued by the mystery, always wanting to know what was going to happen next, while also feeling totally invested in Nicholas and Alexs' relationship. I truly hope that Jason Collins continues in the romance/mystery genre, this was fantastic!

[Julianne Macneil]

I read this book as part of an arc program. Alex returns to Briton Bay after his beloved aunt Beth passed away and he is left her estate. Beth was a former Hollywood actress and Alex was her favorite nephew, he spend his summers growing up with her. When Alex arrives, Beth has already been cremated and he never got to say goodbye. Alex is a reporter and things are not what he thinks they should be and he starts to think someone was responsible for Beth's death. There was a developer in town who wanted to buy Beth's home, but she didn't want to sell and when he starts to hound Alex to sell, Alex thinks he might have something to do with her death. Nicholas is a neighbor of Beth's that lives in a lighthouse. When another neighbor suggests Nicholas might have been trying to get Beth's money, Alex starts to suspect him. Alex soon clears Nicholas and together they investigate things, while growing closer to each other. Alex is going to return to New York, but Nicholas is wishing he would stay. I loved this book, it was different because there was suspense and danger. I couldn't out it down. I loved the chemistry between Nicholas and Alex. Another great one from Jason.

[Barbara]

This was definitely an entertaining story with romance, suspense and danger lurking in the shadows. Alex is a journalist and Nicholas is the lighthouse keeper. Meeting after the death of Alex's beloved Aunt Beth, the two team up to follow clues that she may have been murdered. There are a conglomeration of characters that could have reasons for wanting her death, including the real estate agent John who desperately wants to buy Beth's property on the beach. Breaking and entering is no hold up for Alex as it follows his usual practice while investigating a story. Nicholas however gets pulled into the break ins despite it not being one of his skill sets. The closer they get to a possible murderer, the more dangerous it gets. Two men, neither one looking for more than a hookup, possibly finding more, a near death experience, and a mess of clues that leave them clueless and you have an excellent suspenseful story with a sweet HEA. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC book.

[Cheryl_cajun]

Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Heading to Briton bay for the death of his beloved aunt, Alex becomes suspicion when his isn't even allowed to see Aunt Beth and everywhere he turns is this Nicholas guy that was apparently was just using her for her fame and money as that was the gossipy mill running around town. Alex will do anything to get to the truth of Beth's death even if it takes getting closer to the only one he believes he can trust until he can't. Nicholas as a secret that he his hiding but it's not what Alex thinks, when a heated argument turns to heated make out, will it cloud their judgment further or is this just a while Alex is in town thing? Wow the villian was was a hard one to pin down in this book. with so many people acting funny when confronted on Aunt Beth, and surprises of hotness and laughs at Alex breaking out in dance when first meeting Nicholas was a awesome moment that had me lol. Wonderful suspicion in this book.

[Ken Cook]

Coastal hook up

Good read. Major characters are mid/late twenties, professionals, and share a bond in Alex's aunt. The author cleverly presents a decent plot, with an interesting cast of supporting players. The MM heat is hot.

My only complaint lives with Alex's somewhat juvenile behavior. More senior of the pair with more world experience, being in mourning didn't allow me to cut him slack. Nicholas is a much more solid character.

As I am a gatherer of books, I collect books and ebooks from a variety of sources: Goodreads wins, BookBub, BookFunnel, Riffle, Prolific Works, emails from authors and publishers, and others. I do lose track of their sources. But, as a reader, I feel I should give an honest, unencumbered review for all I read.

[Charles Pacer]

The Lighthouse Keeper was an interesting book, which kept me captivated throughout the story..
Alex and Nicholas's relationship, which began with misconceptions, quickly evolved into more. I enjoyed the fact their relationship came together in a expeditious manner, opposed to being dragged out. Then the plot begins and these two, the dynamic duo, set off to discover the true mystery of Beth's true cause of death.
The ending was somewhat of a surprise, and yet it could be somewhat detected for avid readers.
Nonetheless, this book had moments of humour, definitely sensually hot scenes, and a very touching ending. I would recommend this book as an interesting thriller, with true romance and love combined.

[C.B.]

Always ask why! Alex, a reporter is loved by his Aunt Beth who mysteriously died. He travels to Briton Bay to investigate. Nicholas, next door neighbor, fled his former life now works as the lighthouse keeper hoping to start a new life. Aunt Beth had high hopes for these two men. Everyone has good things to say about Aunt Beth to Alex. He struggles with his grief and his guilt. He teams with Nicholas to analyze the town and what's going on. Alex notices everyone acts odd, even the people who profess to love Aunt Beth. Do Alex and Nick find out what happened to Aunt Beth? What is going on with the Bay's redevelopment? Aunt Beth was a holdout, does Alex sell? Good story. Good mystery. Alex and Nick make a good team. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tara]

This is definitely more focused on the mystery than the romance. There were some frustrating points- as Alex (investigative report) didn't seem to ask obvious questions early on, of people who could have enlightened his investigation. Also, some of the conversations/interactions between characters seemed forced (not flowing smoothly), like something was missing. The interactions between the main characters seems to lack the emotional background information, making the romance feel like it jumped forward without a true connection.
There were also a few grammar flaws, but they didn't take away from the story.

[Mrs.V]

Wow, this book was great!
Something quite different from what we’re used to with our beloved Jason Collins… it’s not the hot and steamy story you might expect from him. Ù
Instead it’s a lovely, slow-burn story with a solid ground of mystery.
Alex and Nicholas start with annoying each other, then get to being somewhat unlikely allies, before finally surrendering to their feelings.
I loved both the mystery part of their story as well as the growing relationship between the two MCs.

[Linda]

A murder mystery is not what you would expect from Jason Collins, but he did an excellent job with this book. Alex comes to town to settle the affairs of his Aunt who passed away. Something doesn't seem right with how people are acting around him. He joins forces with Nicholas who lives the lighthouse & the two investigate. As they investigate, they grow closer, sparks begin to fly amidst the drama. An ARC for an honest review.

[Maureen]

I'm a big fan of Jason Collins and although I liked this story, it will not be one of my favorites. Both MCs were interesting but Nicholas annoyed me at first, being such a prick. When he mused to himself and called Alex an asshole, that ticked me off as he was the asshole when they first met. The story did get infinitely better and more interesting, I love Jason Collins books, you can usually rely on a great story, but this is not in my top five.

[Cariad Dussan]

a twisty whodunit, with who and who wants to do it. and what just how did Aunt Betty die? Was it from natural causes or was it cold blooded murrrr-derrrr?
And can Alex and Nathaniel keep their hands (and lips) to themselves long enough to find out?
Read on good people and find out for yourselves.
I already know the answers.

[Stephanie]

This is such an entertaining read. I really like Nicholas and Alex's story. I love the murder/mystery romance storyline that I couldn't put down. Jason Collins writing just pulled me right into this story. I really like this suspenseful story.

[Sophie]

I liked this mix of mystery and romance. I was not bored. I really think that the writing was well done. I think that the author did a great job with the story line and the characters.
I received this as an arc and freely left this review.

[devil]

I'd say this storyline was definitely more mystery than romance, which was fine but just not what I was expecting. Good storytelling overall.

[Joseph]

An average book for me. A cute story, a bit of a mystery thrown in, two friends to lovers and a happy ending. Nothing really stood out, but it wasn’t a bad read either. Able to read in one night.

[k.w.targett]

Nice story

Nice story and easy to read with a good end result but not without a twist in the middle of it

[Ana Miranda]

did i miss something or was the plot just dropped midway through?

[LINDA]

Trash.

[Shelley Chastagner]

Wow, this book was great!
Something quite different from what we’re used to with our beloved Jason Collins… it’s not the hot and steamy story you might expect from him. Instead, it’s a lovely, slow-burn story with a solid ground of mystery.
Alex and Nicholas start with annoying each other, then they get to be somewhat unlikely allies, before finally surrendering to their feelings.
I loved both the mystery part of their story as well as the growing relationship between the two MCs.

[J]

I can't understand the high marks for this book. I keep returning to Jason Collins in hope of finding a book as well written as the plots are interesting, but it keeps not happening. Although Collins writes some scorching hot sex scenes, the writing overall is juvenile and full of clichés and under-developed characters. The mystery in the book was also interesting but not executed well at all.

I'm done with Collins. He should probably just write stories for Nifty, where all that matters is the sexual content. He could learn a lot from writers such as A4F101/Adam Jacobs, who know how to construct a well written story in addition to the steamy sex.