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Phoenix Club #1-3
Abel: Volume One
19-year-old Abel Sims – hot, sexy stripper – is a favorite at the gay strip club The Phoenix. Having no family but his 16-year-old sister, Savannah, and coming from the streets – The Phoenix club has become his home, the other boys his close-knit family. Abel doesn't trust the outside world and is content to remain within his safe haven. But when an overzealous customer sends Abel to the ER, he meets young, handsome Dr. Devlin Grant – and the instant attraction he feels for the man stirs up the nightmares of his past, causing him to resist his new feelings. Yet it becomes impossible to avoid the doctor when Savannah gets sick and ends up in his care. And just when his heart is ready to trust this newfound love – Abel is confronted with a disturbing fact about the doctor that reaches deep into his past and his nightmares.
TRIGGER WARNING: References to/depictions of sexual/physical/mental abuse and rape.
TRIGGER WARNING: References to/depictions of sexual/physical/mental abuse and rape.
473 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2014
30 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Bishop
136 books523 followersPen name of author A.M. Snead.
Born and raised in scenic Coos County, Oregon, CJ enjoys the small town atmosphere and down-to-earth country folk who populate the area. She is a single mother and lives with her 18-year-old daughter, 1 horse, 4 dogs and 6 cats deep in the country woodlands which gives her plenty of time to write.
She is a Christian and a strong supporter of the LGBT community and favors gay erotic romance when it comes to writing. She hopes that her stories of love and acceptance will help further compassion and understanding for LGBT people who she feels is greatly misunderstood and persecuted - in a large party by the Christian community.
Most of all, she is hopeful that her stories will bring comfort to those who have been told that God hates them because they are different. It is her strong belief that God loves everyone and His love covers all.
Born and raised in scenic Coos County, Oregon, CJ enjoys the small town atmosphere and down-to-earth country folk who populate the area. She is a single mother and lives with her 18-year-old daughter, 1 horse, 4 dogs and 6 cats deep in the country woodlands which gives her plenty of time to write.
She is a Christian and a strong supporter of the LGBT community and favors gay erotic romance when it comes to writing. She hopes that her stories of love and acceptance will help further compassion and understanding for LGBT people who she feels is greatly misunderstood and persecuted - in a large party by the Christian community.
Most of all, she is hopeful that her stories will bring comfort to those who have been told that God hates them because they are different. It is her strong belief that God loves everyone and His love covers all.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 23, 2014
I'm conflicted here. I should probably give this more than three stars but a couple of things are holding me back.
First the good stuff; Able is nineteen working as a stripper at the Phoenix Club to support himself and his sister Savannah. They come from the streets and have finally found a home and made a family with Able's boss Max and fellow strippers Cole and Gabe. As we know from the blurb Able is Injured and meets Dr. Devlin Grant at the hospital. All the characters are very well written and intriguing. The storyline is deeply emotional and at times darkly disturbing as well as touching. The author did a wonderful job of taking you with the characters and giving you each and every emotion the characters feel. There are several instances or child sexual abuse that were very hard to get through but necessary to the story. There are also attempted rape and dubious consent scenes so maybe there should be a warning but all of it adds to the emotional depth of the characters. None of it is treated lightly and is handled as honestly as the trauma it is.
Now for the bad; Unprotected sex EVERYWHERE. We have three gay male strippers and a gay doctor, a rich benefactor 'john' and an HIV positive storyline affecting a secondary character but none of them discuss or practice safe sex, EVER. That really bothers me. There is a tiny mention of the club requiring members to be free of STD's for employment but nothing at all about preventing them even though it's mentioned several times the strippers all have varying degrees of 'extracurricular' activities with the customers.
Also, there are several mentions of god, faith, heaven and blessings. I didn't read the author bio until after I'd completed the book and while there was no real preaching I know Christianity has nothing positive to offer the LGBT community no matter how inclusive believers say they are.
I will finish reading the rest of the series since I've already downloaded the books but will probably continue to pick at the parts that bother me rather than enjoy the storyline as a whole.
First the good stuff; Able is nineteen working as a stripper at the Phoenix Club to support himself and his sister Savannah. They come from the streets and have finally found a home and made a family with Able's boss Max and fellow strippers Cole and Gabe. As we know from the blurb Able is Injured and meets Dr. Devlin Grant at the hospital. All the characters are very well written and intriguing. The storyline is deeply emotional and at times darkly disturbing as well as touching. The author did a wonderful job of taking you with the characters and giving you each and every emotion the characters feel. There are several instances or child sexual abuse that were very hard to get through but necessary to the story. There are also attempted rape and dubious consent scenes so maybe there should be a warning but all of it adds to the emotional depth of the characters. None of it is treated lightly and is handled as honestly as the trauma it is.
Now for the bad; Unprotected sex EVERYWHERE. We have three gay male strippers and a gay doctor, a rich benefactor 'john' and an HIV positive storyline affecting a secondary character but none of them discuss or practice safe sex, EVER. That really bothers me. There is a tiny mention of the club requiring members to be free of STD's for employment but nothing at all about preventing them even though it's mentioned several times the strippers all have varying degrees of 'extracurricular' activities with the customers.
Also, there are several mentions of god, faith, heaven and blessings. I didn't read the author bio until after I'd completed the book and while there was no real preaching I know Christianity has nothing positive to offer the LGBT community no matter how inclusive believers say they are.
I will finish reading the rest of the series since I've already downloaded the books but will probably continue to pick at the parts that bother me rather than enjoy the storyline as a whole.
March 2, 2015
The pros: The book gets points for a really nice cover, a pretty good story plot that keeps you reading even when you want to quit. It draws you in just to see how it'll end.
The cons: Because this book had those too. What was the author thinking? Abel's sister ended up being HIV positive. That didn't clue in to anything? None of the characters in the book used condoms. And I mean NONE. They all barebacked without giving thought to transmitted diseases. That wasn't acceptable. That leads to none of them never ever using lube. Seriously? That goes beyond insane! This caused me to skip and skim over many sex scenes. And everyone is called baby. I cringed each time it was said.
All that out of the way, I'm still going to read the next book because despite all that I did enjoy the characters. Hopefully they don't cry at the drop of hat like Abel always did... I admit he's still adorbs in his own way. Just wished he would have manned up in some situations.
The cons: Because this book had those too. What was the author thinking? Abel's sister ended up being HIV positive. That didn't clue in to anything? None of the characters in the book used condoms. And I mean NONE. They all barebacked without giving thought to transmitted diseases. That wasn't acceptable. That leads to none of them never ever using lube. Seriously? That goes beyond insane! This caused me to skip and skim over many sex scenes. And everyone is called baby. I cringed each time it was said.
All that out of the way, I'm still going to read the next book because despite all that I did enjoy the characters. Hopefully they don't cry at the drop of hat like Abel always did... I admit he's still adorbs in his own way. Just wished he would have manned up in some situations.
November 3, 2016
So recently I've been very blah and searching for some mindless entertainment to distract me from life. I tried a few different things before settling on Abel (It Can't Be You) by C.J. Bishop. I grabbed part one of this trilogy as a freebie when I first got my Kindle and then proceeded to forget its existence until this past Thursday. Thus stands my justification for this book that I originally had no intention of including on my Goodreads profile. So how did I get here?
This. Trilogy. Is. Awful.
But the first part totally sucked me in. I don't completely know how that happened. It was a trashy, trashy train wreck and I couldn't stop reading.
...Or arguing out loud about it to no one.
...Or making my brother listen to me bitch.
So many issues at hand.
First, you don't HIV that way! The disease dies very quickly outside the host. It wasn't hanging around alive on a dumpster needle to infect anybody.
Then, your sister was just diagnosed HIV+ and you are foregoing condoms?! This wasn't a spur of the moment thing. There was takeout. Could no one stop at the corner store?
SALIVA ISN'T LUBE!!! Are you trying to traumatize this boy further? Seriously, we get description after description of sizable packages and spit is just supposed to ease the way for someone who hasn't had sex in years? Boy parts don't work like girl parts.
So our plot revolves around Abel Sims who is a stripper supporting himself and his younger sister. They are runaways from an orphanage where Abel was sexually abused for two years. One night an overzealous client injures him prompting an ER visit. Enter Dr. McDreamy aka intern Devlin Grant.
This book suffers from insta-love, just add water. Or in this case, just add a back injury and a sick sister. Abel, who suffers from PTSD and can't abide touch he can't control (aka anything outside the club) is attracted to Dr. McDreamy of the eyes so blue he wants to dive into their depths and never surface. Likewise, the good doc can't forget those amber orbs peeking up at him through dark blonde lashes. Instantly two men who know absolutely nothing about each other begin to fall in love.
Abel asks his friends Cole and Gabe to help him overcome his aversion to touch, resulting in a scene that could have been sweet and sexy if it weren't for the above mentioned issues. I can be a sucker for a little sexual healing. By comparison, the scene between Mick and Toshi in S.A. Payne's Blurring the Lines makes me feel all the feelings. This however was hard to take... pun unintended, but I'm leaving it in there.
Next Abel hooks up with the doc in one of the private rooms at the club. Again, no lube or condoms in sight. I should have been done at this point. BUT I COULDN'T STOP! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?
I finished the first book of the trilogy (and I roll my eyes each time I type that) and found myself paying the $.99 for this version which contains the whole thing. Yes I am a glutton for punishment.
I truly enjoyed the first part. Yes it was paper thin and cringe worthy, but somehow I enjoyed all that badness. Like the campy movies I also know ruin any limited credibility my tastes may have ever had.
Part two was insufferable.
Lust doesn't equal love. By the end of the entire trilogy, the boys only conversations have revolved around medical issues and how Abel's and Devlin's pasts intertwine. They know nothing about each other. From the simple things like favorite food, color, or movie to the big topics like wanting kids or long term plans. They have never had a single "get to know you" conversation. For me personally, that isn't love. That sexy body will fade and you will be stuck with whoever that person is underneath. Every action in this goes straight to someone's groin, not the heart.
I take that back. There are a lot of hearts shattering. There are so many shards of hearts following these boys around it would be gamer heaven. I am also surprised no one has drowned in Abel's tears. That boy cries in almost every scene. I am all for a sensitive man who feels, but this was ridiculous.
The descriptions of things were constantly over the top, repetitive and at times made little sense. Twice in the same scene, Savannah "frowned, smiling." What? The character was speaking and I understood what she was going for I think, but those two actions are literally the opposite of each other. Kudos to Savannah for pulling it off.
Another big issue I had was the elevator scene. I don't understand why so many people find this sort of thing romantic. I had this same problem with another book I was reading recently. Abel is avoiding Devlin, so Devlin chases him onto the elevator, stops it between floors and kisses him. That would have been hot if it was the whole story. The rest is that Devlin cornered him and even with Abel saying please don't, grabbed him and kissed him until he responded. I have recently realized that these little interactions can be more triggering for me than an outright rape scene. I hate when someone doesn't listen, especially where the excuse is they couldn't help themselves because of love. If you love me, you don't want me to be uncomfortable. You can't see into my mind. If I say stop, you stop. Abel is torn by the scene, hating himself for responding against his own wishes because he knows it sends a mixed message. The brain is just as important as the heart and physical being. Just because you forced a response, doesn't mean the advance was wanted. It really turned me off Devlin, because it was such a selfish action. It was for Devlin's benefit, not Abel's.
One part of the book that I found myself liking was Kaplan. This surprised me. He wasn't really a good guy, but he wasn't the monster I figured the book was setting him up to be either. I hated Max for putting Abel in the situation, but it all made more sense by the end of things. He also was the only person I ever saw explicitly use lube. Granted it was when he and Abel were doing a role reversal, but I chose to retro-actively deem his previous scenes with Abel when wet heads were mentioned nudging things that lube was involved rather than naturally occurring substances. Still no condoms that I saw though. To be fair I skimmed some of those "love" scenes.
Anyway, despite Kaplan's flaw of being an ass who pays a young man for his *cough*companionship*cough* he was surprisingly sweet by the end...
...and I kinda want to read Max's book now. AGAIN WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!?
All in all, this passed the free minutes I had for a couple of days, but I wouldn't recommend anyone else read it. Kinda wished I'd stopped at the end of part one. It might have been three stars then. Maybe.
This. Trilogy. Is. Awful.
But the first part totally sucked me in. I don't completely know how that happened. It was a trashy, trashy train wreck and I couldn't stop reading.
...Or arguing out loud about it to no one.
...Or making my brother listen to me bitch.
So many issues at hand.
First, you don't HIV that way! The disease dies very quickly outside the host. It wasn't hanging around alive on a dumpster needle to infect anybody.
Then, your sister was just diagnosed HIV+ and you are foregoing condoms?! This wasn't a spur of the moment thing. There was takeout. Could no one stop at the corner store?
SALIVA ISN'T LUBE!!! Are you trying to traumatize this boy further? Seriously, we get description after description of sizable packages and spit is just supposed to ease the way for someone who hasn't had sex in years? Boy parts don't work like girl parts.
So our plot revolves around Abel Sims who is a stripper supporting himself and his younger sister. They are runaways from an orphanage where Abel was sexually abused for two years. One night an overzealous client injures him prompting an ER visit. Enter Dr. McDreamy aka intern Devlin Grant.
This book suffers from insta-love, just add water. Or in this case, just add a back injury and a sick sister. Abel, who suffers from PTSD and can't abide touch he can't control (aka anything outside the club) is attracted to Dr. McDreamy of the eyes so blue he wants to dive into their depths and never surface. Likewise, the good doc can't forget those amber orbs peeking up at him through dark blonde lashes. Instantly two men who know absolutely nothing about each other begin to fall in love.
Abel asks his friends Cole and Gabe to help him overcome his aversion to touch, resulting in a scene that could have been sweet and sexy if it weren't for the above mentioned issues. I can be a sucker for a little sexual healing. By comparison, the scene between Mick and Toshi in S.A. Payne's Blurring the Lines makes me feel all the feelings. This however was hard to take... pun unintended, but I'm leaving it in there.
Next Abel hooks up with the doc in one of the private rooms at the club. Again, no lube or condoms in sight. I should have been done at this point. BUT I COULDN'T STOP! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?
I finished the first book of the trilogy (and I roll my eyes each time I type that) and found myself paying the $.99 for this version which contains the whole thing. Yes I am a glutton for punishment.
I truly enjoyed the first part. Yes it was paper thin and cringe worthy, but somehow I enjoyed all that badness. Like the campy movies I also know ruin any limited credibility my tastes may have ever had.
Part two was insufferable.
Lust doesn't equal love. By the end of the entire trilogy, the boys only conversations have revolved around medical issues and how Abel's and Devlin's pasts intertwine. They know nothing about each other. From the simple things like favorite food, color, or movie to the big topics like wanting kids or long term plans. They have never had a single "get to know you" conversation. For me personally, that isn't love. That sexy body will fade and you will be stuck with whoever that person is underneath. Every action in this goes straight to someone's groin, not the heart.
I take that back. There are a lot of hearts shattering. There are so many shards of hearts following these boys around it would be gamer heaven. I am also surprised no one has drowned in Abel's tears. That boy cries in almost every scene. I am all for a sensitive man who feels, but this was ridiculous.
The descriptions of things were constantly over the top, repetitive and at times made little sense. Twice in the same scene, Savannah "frowned, smiling." What? The character was speaking and I understood what she was going for I think, but those two actions are literally the opposite of each other. Kudos to Savannah for pulling it off.
Another big issue I had was the elevator scene. I don't understand why so many people find this sort of thing romantic. I had this same problem with another book I was reading recently. Abel is avoiding Devlin, so Devlin chases him onto the elevator, stops it between floors and kisses him. That would have been hot if it was the whole story. The rest is that Devlin cornered him and even with Abel saying please don't, grabbed him and kissed him until he responded. I have recently realized that these little interactions can be more triggering for me than an outright rape scene. I hate when someone doesn't listen, especially where the excuse is they couldn't help themselves because of love. If you love me, you don't want me to be uncomfortable. You can't see into my mind. If I say stop, you stop. Abel is torn by the scene, hating himself for responding against his own wishes because he knows it sends a mixed message. The brain is just as important as the heart and physical being. Just because you forced a response, doesn't mean the advance was wanted. It really turned me off Devlin, because it was such a selfish action. It was for Devlin's benefit, not Abel's.
One part of the book that I found myself liking was Kaplan. This surprised me. He wasn't really a good guy, but he wasn't the monster I figured the book was setting him up to be either. I hated Max for putting Abel in the situation, but it all made more sense by the end of things. He also was the only person I ever saw explicitly use lube. Granted it was when he and Abel were doing a role reversal, but I chose to retro-actively deem his previous scenes with Abel when wet heads were mentioned nudging things that lube was involved rather than naturally occurring substances. Still no condoms that I saw though. To be fair I skimmed some of those "love" scenes.
Anyway, despite Kaplan's flaw of being an ass who pays a young man for his *cough*companionship*cough* he was surprisingly sweet by the end...
...and I kinda want to read Max's book now. AGAIN WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!?
All in all, this passed the free minutes I had for a couple of days, but I wouldn't recommend anyone else read it. Kinda wished I'd stopped at the end of part one. It might have been three stars then. Maybe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2014
Despite the four stars there was a lot about this story that I didn't like. The multiple partners once the MC's had met. The cheesy sex sounds, the occasionally cheesy writing and the extreme use of the endearment 'baby' by everyone. The fact that in the entire course of the story and numerous sex scene's with an MC that had been raped as a young teen, the use of lube occurred only once and this was used on a secondary character by the victim of the rape. And this story wasn't bittersweet, it was angst to the nth degree. So much, that it took me a week to read this story.
With all that said, the author really put you in the abused MC's shoes. Parts were heartbreaking, breath stealing and soul sucking. And as the MC does on many occasions, it makes you question the existence of a God that would allow so many terrible things to happen to someone so young.
So, would I recommend this story? I really don't know. It would require someone that could do a dark romantic story. There is absolutely no fluff to be found here. Am I sorry I read it? Absolutely not. Everyone will have to make their own decision on this one.
With all that said, the author really put you in the abused MC's shoes. Parts were heartbreaking, breath stealing and soul sucking. And as the MC does on many occasions, it makes you question the existence of a God that would allow so many terrible things to happen to someone so young.
So, would I recommend this story? I really don't know. It would require someone that could do a dark romantic story. There is absolutely no fluff to be found here. Am I sorry I read it? Absolutely not. Everyone will have to make their own decision on this one.
May 28, 2015
The books in this series are set around The Phoenix Club, a gay dance club, and the men working there.
Each MC has their secrets and a past which comes and bites them and the trouble the past brings is surprising, violent and will keep you guessing.
The men look after each other like family with Max the owner of the club as their leader.
Absolutely fantastic series, I'm addicted to C.J Bishop books and can't wait to read more.
Each MC has their secrets and a past which comes and bites them and the trouble the past brings is surprising, violent and will keep you guessing.
The men look after each other like family with Max the owner of the club as their leader.
Absolutely fantastic series, I'm addicted to C.J Bishop books and can't wait to read more.
February 4, 2015
This book was really good. My only complaint was the going off with someone and having sex. The three-way was totally hot and didn't bother me..just the flying off to exotic places and doing a man that wasn't your love. In addition, does no one think to use condoms when having sex with THAT many different people?
January 29, 2015
This book has an interesting plot, but unfortunately, the plot is entirely overpowered by the multiple sex scenes, to the point where I started skimming them around midpoint.
Too bad - this could have been a great story.
Too bad - this could have been a great story.
August 28, 2017
Okay, so, one star. Harsh. So I feel like I need to explain to be fair. I read the trilogy so all three Abel books in one fell swoop. I'm just going to bullet point.
- angst on top of angst for the sake of angst
- explicit depiction of childhood sexual assault
- lack of authenticity in story, virtually none of what happened could have actually happened in life (HIPPA is a thing, 20K would pay for one day of hospital care, if that)
- internal inconsistencies making it all seem even more unbelievable (for example - Kaplan says one day "give me your ass because I bought it and want what I paid for" and the next day "I don't want you to call yourself a whore. I don't think of you that way". Uh, yeah. You do. Based on your own words the freaking day before. There are many examples of this.
- shallow/all sex or meaningful eye contact interactions leading to instant LOVE.
- oh, the constant angsting about LOVE meanwhile I'm pretty sure they didn't know each other's last names
- ugly phrases. Both hateful slurs and just ugly groups of words.
- everybody having sex with everybody, even while in loooove with someone else
-repetitive use of angel concept which came from nowhere
- it just very bizarrely felt like the story was gleeful almost in some of the horrible things
- the melodrama. Oh, the melodrama.
- weird focus on youth element.
It just felt icky and gross. It was like it was written solely to titillate but the focus was on youth and abuse so the whole package was just gross feeling. Do not recommend. Won't be reading more.
- angst on top of angst for the sake of angst
- explicit depiction of childhood sexual assault
- lack of authenticity in story, virtually none of what happened could have actually happened in life (HIPPA is a thing, 20K would pay for one day of hospital care, if that)
- internal inconsistencies making it all seem even more unbelievable (for example - Kaplan says one day "give me your ass because I bought it and want what I paid for" and the next day "I don't want you to call yourself a whore. I don't think of you that way". Uh, yeah. You do. Based on your own words the freaking day before. There are many examples of this.
- shallow/all sex or meaningful eye contact interactions leading to instant LOVE.
- oh, the constant angsting about LOVE meanwhile I'm pretty sure they didn't know each other's last names
- ugly phrases. Both hateful slurs and just ugly groups of words.
- everybody having sex with everybody, even while in loooove with someone else
-repetitive use of angel concept which came from nowhere
- it just very bizarrely felt like the story was gleeful almost in some of the horrible things
- the melodrama. Oh, the melodrama.
- weird focus on youth element.
It just felt icky and gross. It was like it was written solely to titillate but the focus was on youth and abuse so the whole package was just gross feeling. Do not recommend. Won't be reading more.
November 17, 2021
Okay... I'm sorry, but I want my money back. The first part of the book was okay, even good, but it went downhill really fast from there. Everything was just ... angst and crying and sex. All. The. Freaking. Time. I mean, I get it, it is that kind of book, but it was just too much. There was no emotional fluff or normal things like cuddles or talks. Like - No talking AT ALL. Only sex. It didn't make me feel anything, I just wanted it to end.
The only characters I liked were Cole and Gabe. Devlin was meh, and I would rather that Abel ended up with Cole and Gabe - they were the ones who took care of Abel. And don't even get me started on Horatio and Max. I absolutely hated the storyline with Horatio - I skipped the most parts because I just couldn't. It was disgusting for me. Like why?? How could Cole and Gabe be okay with Abel leaving the country with Horatio when they knew what they did and how Abel hated himself for it? And I can't understand why Max would be okay to "whore" Abel out to Horatio since he knows what Able has been through. Like what??? Why does anyone like Max?
I could go on and on about my many dislikes but let's not do that.
The only characters I liked were Cole and Gabe. Devlin was meh, and I would rather that Abel ended up with Cole and Gabe - they were the ones who took care of Abel. And don't even get me started on Horatio and Max. I absolutely hated the storyline with Horatio - I skipped the most parts because I just couldn't. It was disgusting for me. Like why?? How could Cole and Gabe be okay with Abel leaving the country with Horatio when they knew what they did and how Abel hated himself for it? And I can't understand why Max would be okay to "whore" Abel out to Horatio since he knows what Able has been through. Like what??? Why does anyone like Max?
I could go on and on about my many dislikes but let's not do that.
October 28, 2021
I LOVED EVERY BOOK IN THIS SET, There is so much emotions in this book i could not put this set down once i started reading it,,i was reading about these boys i will call them and the struggles they all went through and the main couple are not a couple but were supposed to be only a lie keeps them apart till they get there happy ending i highly recommend this set,,,i read this series for my honest opinion by this wonderful author
September 20, 2019
Likes and Dislikes
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book - all the mush and perhaps overdone romance. But, just when I felt that it was becoming too much like a soap opera, a break and an insight would present itself - explaining and sort of excusing the excessive drama.
So, aside from enjoying the prose, I thought the story was well crafted. Just call me an old softie!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book - all the mush and perhaps overdone romance. But, just when I felt that it was becoming too much like a soap opera, a break and an insight would present itself - explaining and sort of excusing the excessive drama.
So, aside from enjoying the prose, I thought the story was well crafted. Just call me an old softie!
October 31, 2023
A tremendous story.
I have to admit that this book was hard to put down and stop reading.
It is full of love hurt compassion and more, it is sad to a say that this horrible perversion in one person can have a life long effect on so many.
It is a must read although a little too much dialogue in the bedroom for me.
I have to admit that this book was hard to put down and stop reading.
It is full of love hurt compassion and more, it is sad to a say that this horrible perversion in one person can have a life long effect on so many.
It is a must read although a little too much dialogue in the bedroom for me.
November 9, 2017
Good story. A different genre for me. Love the sense of family and the protective big brother role Abel fills for Savannah. Mixed feelings about Devlin in the beginning but he won me over by the end. Peaked my interest enough to try reading Caleb.
March 22, 2018
Emotional
This book was heavy. Abel goes through so much from his past to his present. It’s not an easy read at all because of the subject matter but it’s also one of those books that pull you in. His friends are amazing and the show me how to love scene was fantastic.
This book was heavy. Abel goes through so much from his past to his present. It’s not an easy read at all because of the subject matter but it’s also one of those books that pull you in. His friends are amazing and the show me how to love scene was fantastic.
January 4, 2020
Part One: It Can’t Be You
(3/5)
Part Two: Hearts in Chaos
It Can’t Be You ended on a twist, and as expected, I went straight into Hearts in Chaos.
(3/5)
Part Three: Shattered
(4/5)
(3/5)
Part Two: Hearts in Chaos
It Can’t Be You ended on a twist, and as expected, I went straight into Hearts in Chaos.
(3/5)
Part Three: Shattered
(4/5)
September 3, 2014
I picked this book up on iBooks about 1 year ago. I was having trouble getting thru the current book I am reading and thought it's not a long read should go fast so I'll just digress just a bit to motivate me to finish my current read. I mean really, quick sex it doesn't take long to read those. I was so deeply involved with the story line in this wonderful book that I just had to purchase the second book in the series.
While it is a love story it is not a typical love story, it's a deeply rooted love between a brother and sister and an atypical family love that comes from unexpected places and people.
Abel a 19 year old abuse victim does the best he can to take care of a sickly sister, Savannah, who is 16. They are put into the Division of Child Services when both parents who you can only assume drank themselves to death because it isn't spelled out. When Abel is forced to chose between himself or his sister being raped by a volunteer caregiver in the house they are placed he saves his sister and endures the abuse for 2 years until he is old enough to get them out but he in self defense kills the volunteer. (Yay for him!) Abel struggles for a while in the streets trying to feed the sister and himself by digging in dumpsters and anywhere he can. He comes upon The Phoenix Club where Max takes a liking to him and provides him with a job and place for them to live. Without giving the whole story away, Savannah becomes seriously ill and has to be hospitalized just after Abel himself having been to the emergency room for being hurt by a customer at work in the club. The doctor caring for Savannah falls in love with Abel but Abel has trust issues as well as no idea how to love anyone other than Savannah. With the help of his co-workers he learns how to redirect his panic at being touched and allows himself to fall for the doctor until his world falls apart again.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read romance. I will caution you to read the blurb on iBooks or Amazon before purchase if M/M contact offend your senses. I found myself not caring who was touching who because when it comes down to it, love was the story an unconditional love between brother and sister and brother and friends that are like brothers and how they cope with issues that no child should have to suffer thru. I absolutely cried for Abel and Savannah because of their suffering at the hands of who our society says are supposed to protect us. Pick it up today, you won't be sorry.
While it is a love story it is not a typical love story, it's a deeply rooted love between a brother and sister and an atypical family love that comes from unexpected places and people.
Abel a 19 year old abuse victim does the best he can to take care of a sickly sister, Savannah, who is 16. They are put into the Division of Child Services when both parents who you can only assume drank themselves to death because it isn't spelled out. When Abel is forced to chose between himself or his sister being raped by a volunteer caregiver in the house they are placed he saves his sister and endures the abuse for 2 years until he is old enough to get them out but he in self defense kills the volunteer. (Yay for him!) Abel struggles for a while in the streets trying to feed the sister and himself by digging in dumpsters and anywhere he can. He comes upon The Phoenix Club where Max takes a liking to him and provides him with a job and place for them to live. Without giving the whole story away, Savannah becomes seriously ill and has to be hospitalized just after Abel himself having been to the emergency room for being hurt by a customer at work in the club. The doctor caring for Savannah falls in love with Abel but Abel has trust issues as well as no idea how to love anyone other than Savannah. With the help of his co-workers he learns how to redirect his panic at being touched and allows himself to fall for the doctor until his world falls apart again.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read romance. I will caution you to read the blurb on iBooks or Amazon before purchase if M/M contact offend your senses. I found myself not caring who was touching who because when it comes down to it, love was the story an unconditional love between brother and sister and brother and friends that are like brothers and how they cope with issues that no child should have to suffer thru. I absolutely cried for Abel and Savannah because of their suffering at the hands of who our society says are supposed to protect us. Pick it up today, you won't be sorry.
January 6, 2016
ABEL 1: It Can't Be You NOOOOOOOOOOO, I knew it was coming but I didn't want it to be true.
Abel and his sister Savannah just cannot catch a break, they had been living on the streets until Abel gets a job at the Phoenix club. All they have is one another, and Abel's close group of friends from work, Gabe and Cole are great friends and would do anything for Abel.
Abel meets sexy Dr. Devlin Grant at the hospital on two different occasions and cannot help his attraction to him. Abel is beyond damaged because of events that happened to him when he was younger so he cannot have people touch him which would make having a relationship hard if not impossible to do.
ABEL 2: Hearts in Chaos
This was a great continuation of Abel's story. In this book we find out more about Abel's past with his counselor and even more about the good doctor.
ABEL 3: Shattered
This was a great way to wind up Abel's story. I really enjoyed the way all the loose ends were brought together and we are left with a fulfilling ending and a sneak peak into CALEB 1: When World's Collide the newest dancer at the Phoenix Club.
Abel and his sister Savannah just cannot catch a break, they had been living on the streets until Abel gets a job at the Phoenix club. All they have is one another, and Abel's close group of friends from work, Gabe and Cole are great friends and would do anything for Abel.
Abel meets sexy Dr. Devlin Grant at the hospital on two different occasions and cannot help his attraction to him. Abel is beyond damaged because of events that happened to him when he was younger so he cannot have people touch him which would make having a relationship hard if not impossible to do.
ABEL 2: Hearts in Chaos
This was a great continuation of Abel's story. In this book we find out more about Abel's past with his counselor and even more about the good doctor.
ABEL 3: Shattered
This was a great way to wind up Abel's story. I really enjoyed the way all the loose ends were brought together and we are left with a fulfilling ending and a sneak peak into CALEB 1: When World's Collide the newest dancer at the Phoenix Club.
February 2, 2015
I like Abel he's kind, caring and a likeable character, oh and he's HOT, but I wish he'd spent less time crying. Oh god the crying...
I'm not sure how I feel about how the whole Savannah thing. It seems the sole reason for her being in the book was to give explanations for the things Abel did. Other than that her character wasn't explored.
She's a big part of the book and yet I don't feel we got to know her at all.
I enjoyed Gabe and Cole and their handling of Abel, as well as each other, they are sweet, kind, loving and caring.
At times I really didn't 'get' the relationship between Abel and Devlin. I didn't 'feel' the chemistry at all. I was told about it plenty of times but I didn't feel it.
They seemed to only have a handful of encounters together (most of which Abel runs away from) and yet they fall in love almost instantly.
This got better for me as time went on.
My heart hurt for Abel when he was with Kaplan. I wanted to reach into my Kindle and give him a cuddle.
It frustrated me no end that Abel didn't tell Cole and Gabe what was going on.
One thing that bothered me throughout the trilogy is that no lube is used and no one practices safe sex. Ever.
Considering there is an HIV storyline I find this desperately irresponsible.
I'm really torn with this author. One one hand I really enjoy her writing, parts of it are soul sucking, breath stealing and desperately painful. She can make you feel so much, but on the other hand there is so much in her books that I find frustrating. The lack of 'prep' the unsafe sex, the horrendous overuse of the word 'baby' the crying...
I'm currently undecided as to whether I'll read the rest of this series.
I'm not sure how I feel about how the whole Savannah thing. It seems the sole reason for her being in the book was to give explanations for the things Abel did. Other than that her character wasn't explored.
She's a big part of the book and yet I don't feel we got to know her at all.
I enjoyed Gabe and Cole and their handling of Abel, as well as each other, they are sweet, kind, loving and caring.
At times I really didn't 'get' the relationship between Abel and Devlin. I didn't 'feel' the chemistry at all. I was told about it plenty of times but I didn't feel it.
They seemed to only have a handful of encounters together (most of which Abel runs away from) and yet they fall in love almost instantly.
This got better for me as time went on.
My heart hurt for Abel when he was with Kaplan. I wanted to reach into my Kindle and give him a cuddle.
It frustrated me no end that Abel didn't tell Cole and Gabe what was going on.
One thing that bothered me throughout the trilogy is that no lube is used and no one practices safe sex. Ever.
Considering there is an HIV storyline I find this desperately irresponsible.
I'm really torn with this author. One one hand I really enjoy her writing, parts of it are soul sucking, breath stealing and desperately painful. She can make you feel so much, but on the other hand there is so much in her books that I find frustrating. The lack of 'prep' the unsafe sex, the horrendous overuse of the word 'baby' the crying...
I'm currently undecided as to whether I'll read the rest of this series.
March 3, 2022
Abel gets hurt and has go to ER seeing a resident doctor names Devlin. Abel hasn't ever been with someone that hasn't forced him into it. He likes Devlin but he can't even be touched unless he's at where he works.
Later that night Savannah his sister gets sick and has be rushed to hospital. Devlin wants more than anything to be in Abel's life and tries to ask him out but things don't go as planned.
When Abel finds out who Devlin's brother was things seemed to be over even though he has fallen in love with Devlin giving him a chance thinks to his friends Cole and Gabe.
It's so hard watching this play out especially when Devlin found out that his brother Craig was a child molester and those memories he'd suppressed came back. Things were almost over between them for good but someone else from Devlin's past told him that his brother had done the same to them.
Savannah, Abel's sister is so wonderful and I am glad she's getting better. Though life on streets have caused some things to make her really sick. She might not ever be 100% but she will make it.
Cole and Gabe came through for Abel so much in this from being there for him to helping with Savannah. They are like family and it was so wonderful to see.
Plenty of hot sex though I didn't like the sex with Abel and Kaplan. He thankfully got to get out of that when the man came to his senses. Though the one good thing is Abel's not going go down for Craig's murder. They're going fix that. Have four cause Kaplan other wise loved it.
Later that night Savannah his sister gets sick and has be rushed to hospital. Devlin wants more than anything to be in Abel's life and tries to ask him out but things don't go as planned.
When Abel finds out who Devlin's brother was things seemed to be over even though he has fallen in love with Devlin giving him a chance thinks to his friends Cole and Gabe.
It's so hard watching this play out especially when Devlin found out that his brother Craig was a child molester and those memories he'd suppressed came back. Things were almost over between them for good but someone else from Devlin's past told him that his brother had done the same to them.
Savannah, Abel's sister is so wonderful and I am glad she's getting better. Though life on streets have caused some things to make her really sick. She might not ever be 100% but she will make it.
Cole and Gabe came through for Abel so much in this from being there for him to helping with Savannah. They are like family and it was so wonderful to see.
Plenty of hot sex though I didn't like the sex with Abel and Kaplan. He thankfully got to get out of that when the man came to his senses. Though the one good thing is Abel's not going go down for Craig's murder. They're going fix that. Have four cause Kaplan other wise loved it.
December 8, 2015
Wow !!! Where to start with a review for this amazing set......
Abel, he's an angel, protector, strong but also vulnerable and scared too. He's doing everything he can for his sister, Savannah. The only person, apart from her, who knows Abel's story and the truth is Max, the owner of The Phoenix Club. He gave them both a safe place to live and Abel a job but Savannah doesn't know the extent of what his job entails. He's the most sort out dancer in the club, the one who makes the most and is loved not just by the customers but all the staff too. When Savannah becomes ill he's distraught not knowing how he'll pay for her treatment, blaming himself for her being so ill, but also distraught because he's been offered a chance to earn the money he needs to help her but he never imagined falling for the handsome doctor Devlin, who has ended up treating her after treating him previously too. So many secrets for each character that could break them and totally obliterate any truths too. If he accepts the offer will his one true chance at being truly loved disappear or will something else stop them from following that path ?
Such a highly emotional story you'll laugh and cry and your heart will break so many times for all the characters.
I absolutely loved the way CJ wrote this and wanted to reach in and hug Abel, Savannah and Devlin.
I loved how we got to meet Max, Cole and Gabe too and then are introduced to another character at the end. Fantastic book !!!
Abel, he's an angel, protector, strong but also vulnerable and scared too. He's doing everything he can for his sister, Savannah. The only person, apart from her, who knows Abel's story and the truth is Max, the owner of The Phoenix Club. He gave them both a safe place to live and Abel a job but Savannah doesn't know the extent of what his job entails. He's the most sort out dancer in the club, the one who makes the most and is loved not just by the customers but all the staff too. When Savannah becomes ill he's distraught not knowing how he'll pay for her treatment, blaming himself for her being so ill, but also distraught because he's been offered a chance to earn the money he needs to help her but he never imagined falling for the handsome doctor Devlin, who has ended up treating her after treating him previously too. So many secrets for each character that could break them and totally obliterate any truths too. If he accepts the offer will his one true chance at being truly loved disappear or will something else stop them from following that path ?
Such a highly emotional story you'll laugh and cry and your heart will break so many times for all the characters.
I absolutely loved the way CJ wrote this and wanted to reach in and hug Abel, Savannah and Devlin.
I loved how we got to meet Max, Cole and Gabe too and then are introduced to another character at the end. Fantastic book !!!
October 20, 2014
As O commented on anothers' review: When I saw all the high ratings for this atrocious book I thought I must have lost mind because it was just awful. I don't mind a book that throws in a weak, absurd, and barely-there plot for the sole purpose of sex-for-sex-sake but this book was laughable.
Doesn't even matter that it is clearly one of those books which is actually one story, but broken up into a $$$ series $$$ - hence the abrupt cliffy ending in the middle of the story. The book is the equivalent of a few chapters.
Needless to say I won't be reading any more of this author's work.
Last, the question with no answer: HOW do these books with absolutely no editing get published? Surely those who self-publish can find at least ONE capable person to proofread at the least?
Doesn't even matter that it is clearly one of those books which is actually one story, but broken up into a $$$ series $$$ - hence the abrupt cliffy ending in the middle of the story. The book is the equivalent of a few chapters.
Needless to say I won't be reading any more of this author's work.
Last, the question with no answer: HOW do these books with absolutely no editing get published? Surely those who self-publish can find at least ONE capable person to proofread at the least?
February 7, 2016
At first I didn't think I was going to like this book because it seemed so depressing and there definitely was more downs than ups but I wound up truly loving this book!!! What a great story and not just a love/romance but a story about the importance of true friends who sincerely care for each other and will go to any lengths for each other as well. It turned out my favorite character was Horatio Kaplan who was made out to be some wealthy playboy who got what and who he wanted but who in actuality turned out to be a true friend/gentleman/savior and angle himself. Excellent book!!!!!! Looking forward to the rest of this series. :-)
January 18, 2015
While I absolutely loved book 1, by the end of book 3, I was a little overwhelmed with all the crying and emotional involvement of the characters. There were so many themes to take in: sexual abuse of a child, homelessness, HIV, whoring, family and having a support network, falling in love. I adored secondary characters Cole and Gabe, who had their own little love story amid the wreckage of Abel's life. Worthy of being read, but there is some graphic non-con scenes which anyone of squimish nature should be aware of.
January 2, 2015
Oh Horatio...much love
This is an excellent hot read. It's well edited, written and plotted story. The characters clutch at your heart and don't let go. It made me cry because of the ugliness these children were subjected to and yet it showed that you don't have to let that ugliness make your heart cold or uncaring. I couldn't help but fall in love with the caring warm hearted people in this story. This is my first read by this author. Enjoy, I did! On to Caleb...
This is an excellent hot read. It's well edited, written and plotted story. The characters clutch at your heart and don't let go. It made me cry because of the ugliness these children were subjected to and yet it showed that you don't have to let that ugliness make your heart cold or uncaring. I couldn't help but fall in love with the caring warm hearted people in this story. This is my first read by this author. Enjoy, I did! On to Caleb...
January 14, 2015
This book has hot gay male sex, heartache, more sex, crying, sex again, and more crying. It's the story on a down on his luck guy with a fragile teen sister and friends at the strip club where he works. He meets a doctor but doesn't dare to hope to have a relationship. Due to events on both their pasts, there's angst until a reconciliation.
This is the first of a series, but I'm guessing the sequels all have the same plot.
This is the first of a series, but I'm guessing the sequels all have the same plot.
June 30, 2014
This series was very emotional...depressing at times, the power of friendship electrifying at others. Amazingly written; I am looking forward to Bishop's other work that stems from Abel. Word to the wise: buy the trilogy...the endings are definite cliffhangers! You have to, no, NEED to know what happens!
February 24, 2015
I had originally bought the first two parts, but could not pass up the volume of all the parts together. This story is so packed with hotness, real life emotions and struggles, and a good ending. I really do enjoy the Phoenix Club atmosphere! I look forward to purchasing/being gifted more from this series on the other guys hanging around! I really enjoy reading from this author.
March 12, 2015
beautifully heartbreaking
Loved this story!! Abel is so broken and I just wanted to wrap my arms around him and hold him myself!! A beautiful, well written story of heartbreak and loss and unthinkable situations. The love and kinship of these characters truly show what real family means and that with their love and support the broken inside can be healed.
Loved this story!! Abel is so broken and I just wanted to wrap my arms around him and hold him myself!! A beautiful, well written story of heartbreak and loss and unthinkable situations. The love and kinship of these characters truly show what real family means and that with their love and support the broken inside can be healed.
January 18, 2015
Pretty good
I enjoyed this book there were some really hot parts but too many men tearing up gay or straight I have never seen this many men cry it was a little unrealistic. Overall a good story.
I enjoyed this book there were some really hot parts but too many men tearing up gay or straight I have never seen this many men cry it was a little unrealistic. Overall a good story.
May 21, 2021
Interesting story.
Easy read. Good story line. Can’t really say a whole lot about this book. Though it did fill like it started in the middle of a story. I’m hoping there is other stories for the rest of theses guys.
Easy read. Good story line. Can’t really say a whole lot about this book. Though it did fill like it started in the middle of a story. I’m hoping there is other stories for the rest of theses guys.
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