Say the Words

by Christie Gordon

One man burned by love. One man questioning his sexuality. Sparks ignite on the first day of work, but when trust is tested can love win?

Luke Anderson decides relationships are not his thing after finding his college boyfriend cheating on him on New Year’s Eve. Since then, all he allows is sexual gratification from gay bar hookups with no strings attached. Even kissing is out of the equation. On his first day on the job after graduation, he can’t help but notice Jax. Could a fresh start be what he needs?

Jax Meyer’s intense fascination with Luke started when they had class together. But his attraction to men confuses him and keeps him in toxic relationships with women. His current relationship is no different. Then Luke appears in the same orientation class. How can he get close enough to test the waters with him?

Jax commands Luke’s full attention from the moment they meet at work. As Jax dominates Luke’s time with flirtatious comments and suggestive touching, Luke questions Jax’s motives. Jax has a girlfriend. When Jax breaks off his current relationship, he dives headfirst into being the perfect boyfriend for Luke. But Jax’s girlfriend refuses to sever their ties. Is Jax just another man out to betray Luke, or will Luke find the love he’s longed for?

Say the Words is a standalone novel that is set in the Mesa Boysuniverse. This novel features a bisexual awakening with sweet and steamy first times, friends to lovers and hurt/comfort. It guarantees an HEA and has no cliffhangers. It features a man suspicious of love, and another willing to take the plunge and heal all wounds.

Trigger Warning: This book contains themes of past clerical abuse and an absent parent.

Genres: M M Romance

299 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 4, 2021

About the author

Christie Gordon is the author of steamy, heartfelt gay romance novels that explore the emotional journey of men discovering themselves and finding love. It all started when she stumbled upon MM fanfiction by accident—and let's just say, it was love at first read. Inspired by the genre's mix of passion and complexity, Christie transitioned from reading about men in love to writing her own stories. After taking fiction writing classes at a local community college, she published her first MM romance novel in 2009 with a small press, and she’s never looked back.
When she’s not writing, Christie watches boys-love dramas, creates digital art, or is serenaded by her snoring one-eyed rescue pug. A graduate of both Electrical Engineering (BS) and Business Administration (MBA), she spends her "day job" navigating the high-tech world, but her heart belongs to the characters who live in her books. Christie currently resides in the Phoenix metro area, though she’s also lived in California’s Bay Area and Minnesota (which probably explains her deep love of pumpkin spiced latte coffees and hockey).
She’s also the proud mother of two young-adult sons who provide plenty of material for stories—usually in the form of chaotic shenanigans. But no matter what, Christie’s always up for a new adventure, whether it's on the page or in the real world.

For information about her and her work, please visit her website at: www.christiegordon.com
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Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6 solid stars from me, the only reason it was not 5 was that I prefer a dual POV and I really think the story could have benefited from Jax's perspective in a few areas. I read the previous goodreads reviews and was almost going to pass on this book but I am so glad I did not.

This book is about two men, Jax and Luke, who are just beginning their adult lives after college and how their relationship evolves. There is some minor cheating (just a kiss and emotions) but it is very relatable to the story. Luke was really closed off to relationships and does not handle any obstacle in the most healthy manner and definitely not in any way compatible with a long term committed relationship. Jax has to come to terms with being bi and what that means and developing a backbone to stand up to people. I really loved how Jax just knew what he wanted and went after it, even though I think he falls in love too fast.

What made this story great was what was wrong with the characters though because they came across as real; people fall in love quickly, people cope wrong and react badly. Through it all and their love these characters found out what to improve on for each other. Overall a really great read.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
So, aside from a dangling plot line involving Jax's very religious, homophobic parents, this was a pretty good hurt-comfort story for Jax and Luke with a bisexual awakening on Jax's side. Despite Luke being a bit wary from having been cheated on by his previous boyfriend, he insta-love was pretty strong on both sides. It was odd having the guy who was coming to terms with being bi be the first to confess his love after like a week of being together. I read this book because it came up as being connected to the Mesa Boys series, but there are no cameo appearances by those characters, and these MCs don't appear in that series at all. Seriously, the only thing that's the same is the location, and the author even wrote a brief acknowledgement that she introduced the gay bar, The Club on Mill, that is referenced a ton in her universe that begins with the Mesa Boys series. There are a few times where Luke has hookups with guys before he gets together with Jax, and he almost has another one when he mistakenly believed that Jax had cheated on him. I really think Luke could have used therapy for how his dad had all but abandoned him after he divorced his mom, how his dad had reacted so negatively to learning he was gay, and how his ex-boyfriend had cheated on him. Hooking up with random people and/or getting drunk to deal with negative feelings isn't a healthy coping mechanism. However, I will say that Jax's ex-girlfriend not leaving him alone and all but stalking the two of them due to a bipolar spiral didn't help with Luke's self-esteem and mental health at all. Anyhow, they finally got their HEA after all the mess they dealt with. I enjoyed this story.

[LJ Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my very first book by Christie Gordon and I am glad that I was offered the opportunity to review her book. While Luke was in college, he dated and had what he thought was an exclusive relationship with Jason, only for Jason to betray him repeatedly. Each time he forgave him until he finally realized Jason didn't really love him. After that he scratched his itch with random hookups at his local gay bar, finally getting a reputation of not kissing and never giving his number out to anyone. Jax was in one of the same classes as Luke and noticed Luke, but never talking to him. A year later, both are at the same new job intro and meet. Jax admits seeing Luke before and is constantly sending signals towards Luke that he is attracted to him, but Jax is straight and has a girlfriend... doesn't he? This story has some angsty moments, several to be exact, but all are necessary and tells a good story. The heat between Luke and Jax is off the charts and Jax takes to a relationship with Luke like a duck to water. A girlfriend who won't take no for an answer, parents who have issues with their son being gay, great friends that support each other, add to the drama, but is all written in a way that makes me ready to read her next book. Hopefully it will feature Jax's friend Steven. Luke and Jax are great together and I really enjoyed the journey that Ms. Gordon took me on. Enjoy!

I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reading to Stay Awake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's start TRIGGER WARNING. It's in relation to the mention of abuse by a member of the clergy but within the context of the story. This is never right and should always be dealt with by the law. Never stand by and let it happen. Also, in relation to the coercive control by a partner in a relationship, be it female or male; again never right and you should always make every effort to do your bit to help!

But to the book... I'm not sure what to say! I've read it, and it should be an easy review but there was just something that didn't gel with me throughout the story; I'm still not sure what was! The story made sense to me but the more I've thought about it after I've finished it the more complicated it all seems and far fetched, then I start to question 'why would you put that bit in the storyline'.

It's my first read from Christie Gordon and I should read another to see if it's me or their work but tbh I think it's the book.

I don't know what else to say because I'm not normally lost for words about a book and whilst I've given it 4* because it wasn't awful it wasn't fabulous either. However, you should read it and make up your own mind. xx

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and provide my honest review voluntarily

[smatchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure if I liked this book at first, I went through the first third thinking that Luke was going to get his heart broken again! I started to trust Jax a bit more for the next third, then was just holding my breath for the “test” moment that is in a lot of books where you are a little unsure whether it’s going to work out. I worry about it even if the blurb states clearly there is an HEA lol
The end was satisfying and hopeful, just like I like…whew! I’m going to check out some more of this author’s titles!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and I struggled to get in to it. I felt like I was a stranger looking through a window at strangers, not getting comfortable with anybody. A lot of times I wished I could just shake some sense into them.
Reactions to situations felt unnatural and forced. The plot of Jax seeing Luke a year later, discovering he is bi and becoming fixated fell a bit flat with all the drama around them.
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

[Kkhmonrai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a little torn on reviewing this book. Although the story is very emotional, with plenty of angst, past hurts, difficulty trusting, and relationship ambivalence, I actually found it dragged in some places. I also think there was enough drama, trauma, and angst from both mens' lives to merit a dual POV. It would have enhanced the read, at least for me. Still, overall a good story with engaging characters, and worth the read.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Leonie Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb gives you a very good idea of how the story goes. However, the book is so much more. The characters are so well written. Luke has perfectly good reasons for his lifestyle and his lack of wanting to trust. His perfect guy, Jax, has a struggle to get free and another one to become truly aware of what and who he wants. There are twists and turns and a couple of "Oh No, don't so it" moments. That's the sign of an author who has made the characters real for you, I loved it! “I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.”

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jax is in a dilemma. Having been brought up in a very conservative and religious family. Luke is beginning a brand new job as a business data analyst. They both start working at the same company and during orientation week the two become fast friends. They first met back in college but were not able to do much connecting. Jax realizes that he had a crush on Luke in college and when he realizes that he’s now working with Luke, he decides to test the waters. I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.

[Malia Winger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story! It starts with Luke, newly heartbroken, and starting his first job after college. He found the man he thought was the love of his life cheating on him. As a result, he has thrown himself into meaningless hookups. At his job orientation he meets, Jax, a former classmate. The two bond quickly and Jax finds himself with romantic feelings for a man for the first time. There is just the right amount of drama with a bipolar ex-girlfriend and potential family conflict. It was a quick and satisfying read!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angsty but sweet

I really liked Luke and Jax's story. A budding friendship becomes more when Jax realizes he might be bi. He is in a toxic relationship with his girlfriend but can't get his new friend and coworker, Luke, out if his mind. Luke has been hurt by his ex and is ready and willing to hook up with anyone at the local club. But there is something about Jax that slowly opens Luke's heart back up. This story was full of angst but also tons of sweet moments. I loved that it was set in places I am familiar with in Arizona.

[Georgiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

~2.5 STARS~

“He’s a really nice guy Sara. Nothing like Jason. Nothing at all like Jason.”

BUT he was! Luke witnesses Jax lying to Jennifer and cheat, yet Luke doesn’t think Jax is anything like Jason… The cheating was minor but it was still cheating. The lying was minor as well but it's still lying.

I thought the story was just OK. It did keep my attention. I was interested in what was going to happen as I found it predictable and hoped I was wrong.

[Mary Vitrano · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
Very nice story. I think the MCs have good potential but unfortunately the author's writing style doesn't do for me. Only regard to my liking, there are too many descriptions and the flow is not good.
Also, no trigger warning.

[Lydia Devlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book,from a new to me author.It's storyline,about Jax and Luke,held my attention straight from the beginning.
Please read the trigger warning in the book description.
I don't want to give spoilers for this,I want to give readers the chance to give this story a try.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.

[Sarah Mitcham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally Able To Say It.

MM Bi awakening, first time, hurt/comfort romance. Easy to read and a page-turner. Lots of angst and mention of previous clerical abuse and a cheating ex but I really enjoyed reading Luke and Jax's story and seeing how they coped with their pasts and found a way to be together in the present and future.

[Thera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

Great book! Jax seemed too good to be true. Seriously understand why Luke was so scared. I hated the way Luke handled things when he was hurting. Jax and Luke are so good together and they definitely love each other. Jennifer was an interesting character. I loved Sara as well. I wish there was more of them to see.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Luke and Jax have been/are involved in relationships that were not healthy for them. This is the story of how, together, they learn to understand and express what they really need to themselves, to each other and to the rest of the world. It isn't easy but they grow and do it.

[devil · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was just not for me. I never felt invested in these characters. At times, they weren't even likeable. And, there were way too many things happening causing drama.

[Tina Couzens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book

I really liked this book a lot. It got a little slow in spots but it was very good and the end was good.

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Jax and Luke were so different and they were able to make those differences work for them.

I received an advanced copy of this book and was not required to leave a review.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotionally compelling

Two men who have a wealth of trauma between them find one another and struggle to come to term with their past so that they can learn to trust and love again.

[Iz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf- Wouldnt have read it if i was aware there was cheating involved 🙄