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Pickleville #5
Getting Back to Good
Luis has two problems. The depression monster is breathing down his neck and he’s in love with his boss, who thinks their age-gap and employer/employee status is a deal-breaker.
Luis Flynn has had a thing for Royce Hessing since the day he started work when he was still in high school but Royce doesn’t see him as anything other than an employee, and an annoying one at that. It’s hopeless to think they could be anything more. And then Royce kisses him. It should make Luis happy, but Luis finds that emotion hard to grasp. In fact, he’s finding it difficult to get through a day so his attraction to his boss, along with everything else in his life, takes a backseat.
Trigger Warning: Scenes of self-harm, severe depression, and talk of suicide.
This is a republished story that has been completely rewritten and re-edited.
Luis Flynn has had a thing for Royce Hessing since the day he started work when he was still in high school but Royce doesn’t see him as anything other than an employee, and an annoying one at that. It’s hopeless to think they could be anything more. And then Royce kisses him. It should make Luis happy, but Luis finds that emotion hard to grasp. In fact, he’s finding it difficult to get through a day so his attraction to his boss, along with everything else in his life, takes a backseat.
Trigger Warning: Scenes of self-harm, severe depression, and talk of suicide.
This is a republished story that has been completely rewritten and re-edited.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2015
About the author
April Kelley
111 books231 followersLiving in Southwest Michigan, April resides with her husband and two kids. She has been an avid reader for several years. Writing her first story at the age of ten, the characters in her head still won't stop telling their stories. If April isn't reading or writing she can be found outside playing with the animals or taking a long walk in the woods.
If you wish to contact her email authoraprilkelley@gmail.com.
Please visit her website at authoraprilkelley.com
If you wish to contact her email authoraprilkelley@gmail.com.
Please visit her website at authoraprilkelley.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 5, 2015
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books
I am so glad to have discovered April Kelley's "Pickleville" series. It's has everything that I need to make the books interesting...strong characters who love fiercly, modern issues and their consequences, plots that make sense and are well thought out, humor, and well...hot sexy MM relationships that melt my Kindle every time I pick one up.
"Getting Back to Good" is the fifth installment of the series, and it's the story of Luis and Royce. Luis suffers from depression. In fact, it's a dangerous and desparate depression. He was taking meds, but when he started to feel better, he stopped. Sadly, that's a common problem with sufferers, and he starts to just sink back into his old habits.
Luis is in love with Royce, his boss, and Royce has feelings for him as well, but he won't act on them because he thinks that Luis is too young for him.
That only makes things worse for Luis. When Luis' close knit family finds out that he needs the kind of help they can't give him, he checks himself into hospital to try and get better.
What follows is a beautiful love story. Even though it's a relatively short book, Ms. Kelley took her time with Luis and Royce. She had to. What Luis is going through can't be fixed by a quick sex scene and HEA. Royce has to look inside himself as much as Luis does. When they finally DO get together, it's magic. I really hate to gush, but this one really impressed me. The sex is passionate and even primal, but there's a sweetness to it.
It was hot but loving.
As I mentioned, this is the fifth installment of the series. It can (just barely) be read as a standalone, but I don't recomment it. The first four books are great, and you can really follow the lives of Pickleville's residents through them. They cross over, and in order to really see what happens in the life of Luis, and his brothers Brad and Caden, you should at least read book four, "A Tarnished Strength".
I've really been enjoying these stories. I give them nothing but praise. Great job, April Kelley!
Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.
I am so glad to have discovered April Kelley's "Pickleville" series. It's has everything that I need to make the books interesting...strong characters who love fiercly, modern issues and their consequences, plots that make sense and are well thought out, humor, and well...hot sexy MM relationships that melt my Kindle every time I pick one up.
"Getting Back to Good" is the fifth installment of the series, and it's the story of Luis and Royce. Luis suffers from depression. In fact, it's a dangerous and desparate depression. He was taking meds, but when he started to feel better, he stopped. Sadly, that's a common problem with sufferers, and he starts to just sink back into his old habits.
Luis is in love with Royce, his boss, and Royce has feelings for him as well, but he won't act on them because he thinks that Luis is too young for him.
That only makes things worse for Luis. When Luis' close knit family finds out that he needs the kind of help they can't give him, he checks himself into hospital to try and get better.
What follows is a beautiful love story. Even though it's a relatively short book, Ms. Kelley took her time with Luis and Royce. She had to. What Luis is going through can't be fixed by a quick sex scene and HEA. Royce has to look inside himself as much as Luis does. When they finally DO get together, it's magic. I really hate to gush, but this one really impressed me. The sex is passionate and even primal, but there's a sweetness to it.
It was hot but loving.
As I mentioned, this is the fifth installment of the series. It can (just barely) be read as a standalone, but I don't recomment it. The first four books are great, and you can really follow the lives of Pickleville's residents through them. They cross over, and in order to really see what happens in the life of Luis, and his brothers Brad and Caden, you should at least read book four, "A Tarnished Strength".
I've really been enjoying these stories. I give them nothing but praise. Great job, April Kelley!
Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.
June 23, 2015
Pickleville is an interesting place with so many different people who interact with each other in such a loving way. April has done a great job in continuing the stories as they flow recognizing the characters before them. Luis, Brad, and Caden were brothers from an abusive past. Brad protected his younger brothers, getting them out ensuring their father would no longer beat himself and Luis. The past scarred Luis in such a way that he was physically and emotionally scarred and he cut himself to get passed this internal pain. He was working at Royce's Garage and for a long time he had been in love with Royce. When Royce found out, he rejected Luis, because he was quite a bit older than Luis. This threw Luis back into depression and back into cutting himself and ending up in a mental ward for treatment. This was what it took to wake Royce up about how he really felt about Luis. Luis realizes he needs to go backpacking around the lakes by himself to prove to himself that he can actually take care of himself. When he gets back the world seems to right itself forming a happily ever after. The story line within these books in this series continue to be strong and the characters still amaze me. Look forward to more of Pickleville!!
June 20, 2015
My favorite of the series. Louis just grab me by the heart and wouldn't let go. As with any "Favorite" book. .. it seemed to short! (okay, okay. . that's just because I wasn't ready to let these two go. ...) I'm sure we'll see them again, but it won't be THEIR book, you know? Highly recommended but you must read the previous books in the series to fully appreciate this story.
October 9, 2021
Review for the 2nd edition of this book.
4.5 stars. A good but a sad start as Luis and his brother hears news of their dad was in jail.
included mention of child abuse, self harm, age gap, boss & employee forbidden relationship, a touch of humor and sexy scenes with a HEA.
The is a hard book to read with talk of suicide but emotions that go with the characters made me want to hug Luis. Luis is a strong person and knew he needed help which he got in therapy.
I really enjoyed this book from the author and the ending was a sexy one.
Luis had a rough past with his abusive dad and had the scars to prove it but he was a mechanic now. depression had a way of rearing its head.
Royce owned the garage and had a soft spot for Luis when he was struggling on bad days.
I loved the banter and the chemistry buzzing between them, Royce definitely more but he's the boss.
4.5 stars. A good but a sad start as Luis and his brother hears news of their dad was in jail.
included mention of child abuse, self harm, age gap, boss & employee forbidden relationship, a touch of humor and sexy scenes with a HEA.
The is a hard book to read with talk of suicide but emotions that go with the characters made me want to hug Luis. Luis is a strong person and knew he needed help which he got in therapy.
I really enjoyed this book from the author and the ending was a sexy one.
Luis had a rough past with his abusive dad and had the scars to prove it but he was a mechanic now. depression had a way of rearing its head.
Royce owned the garage and had a soft spot for Luis when he was struggling on bad days.
I loved the banter and the chemistry buzzing between them, Royce definitely more but he's the boss.
October 3, 2021
Out of the darkness
Luis Flynn suffers from depression and is a cutter. His childhood included abuse and alcoholism both father and older brother. He works at the local garage as a mechanic and has since his high school. His best friend Kyler also works with him, their boss Royce Hessing is his biggest problem. He is in love with Royce but his boss sees him still as a kid. One kiss and a hospital stay changes everything.
Luis Flynn suffers from depression and is a cutter. His childhood included abuse and alcoholism both father and older brother. He works at the local garage as a mechanic and has since his high school. His best friend Kyler also works with him, their boss Royce Hessing is his biggest problem. He is in love with Royce but his boss sees him still as a kid. One kiss and a hospital stay changes everything.
October 31, 2025
3.5 stars
June 17, 2015
This is my favorite in the Pickleville series. Luis having serious depression and cutting issues was really sad. But he was strong in his own way. The love of friends and family helped him through.
October 17, 2015
I totally cried while reading this coz cutting is an issue i have dealt with and still dealing with though not so serious as before.. My heart goes to Luis and I am so glad that Royce treats him good..
June 25, 2015
Love it! Excellent book!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews