What do you think?
Rate this book
Willow Bend
Can two men from different worlds cut the ties binding them to heartaches past and present, and make a life together?
For Paul Gordon, the little town of Willow Bend, South Carolina is the perfect place to start over. A place where he can move on after his lover’s death, alone and anonymous.
Cory Saunders is just trying to survive. Between working two jobs and caring for his ailing mother, it’s all he can do to keep his head above water.
When Paul and Cory meet, their mutual attraction is undeniable. When the intense physical attraction starts to blossom into something deeper, neither wants to admit to what’s happening. Cory doesn’t have time for a relationship, and Paul isn’t sure he’s ready for one. But sometimes, what you thought you couldn’t have turns out to be exactly what you need.
Warning: this title contains explicit male/male sex and graphic language.
For Paul Gordon, the little town of Willow Bend, South Carolina is the perfect place to start over. A place where he can move on after his lover’s death, alone and anonymous.
Cory Saunders is just trying to survive. Between working two jobs and caring for his ailing mother, it’s all he can do to keep his head above water.
When Paul and Cory meet, their mutual attraction is undeniable. When the intense physical attraction starts to blossom into something deeper, neither wants to admit to what’s happening. Cory doesn’t have time for a relationship, and Paul isn’t sure he’s ready for one. But sometimes, what you thought you couldn’t have turns out to be exactly what you need.
Warning: this title contains explicit male/male sex and graphic language.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2002
1 person is currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Ally Blue
90 books449 followersAlly Blue penned her first tale at age eight, relating the breathless terror of her little sister’s not-quite-fatal encounter with a bee in the backyard. That was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with storytelling. She now writes gay romance of all flavors, and has recently branched into writing her first love: horror. She continues her neverending quest to scare herself. She is not a hippie or a brain surgeon, no matter what her kids’ friends say.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 14, 2023
Dnf @50%
It took him to get from mourning,sad, depressed widower to horny and in love a single car ride.
It took him to get from mourning,sad, depressed widower to horny and in love a single car ride.
July 17, 2007
How to describe the "Willow Bend" book by Ally Blue? I think... Gay Harlequin would be best :)
It's a really cute story about two young men from different social background falling in love. Paul is an artist. After his lover Jay dies in a car accident, Paul inherits his money and decides to move away from Spokane and to Willow Bend, a picturesque little town. He buys a little house and turns the barn into a studio. But still, the inspiration doesn't come. Until...
Until he meets Cory. Cory is only 24, but he works two jobs to support his mother who is in coma. He takes care of her, his house is more than a little run down and he is working himself to exhaustion. But then he meets Paul and finally, he starts to live. Paul offers Cory financial help but the younger man is too proud to accept. But then, thanks to a stroke of bad luck, Cory's mother suffers a bad seizure while he falls asleep in Paul's arms and it looks like Cory's guilt might tear him and Paul appart.
This is a very good book. There's no action, so it might seem rather slow. But the atmosphere is very calming and leaves you feeling very good and mushy. True, the little town that accepts homosexual couples as a common thing might be too idealistic, but it's quite well explained why it is so.
What I also find interesting is the lack of mush in the story itself. The boys don't call each other babe or sweetheart or any other cute pet names. Even while having sex it's always Paul and Cory. And they fuck or have sex, they don't make love. The author made them sensitive without trying to turn them into teenage girls. Sure, there is a lot of crying when Paul remembers Jay and Cory deals with what happened to his mother, but it's quite understandable and not overdone.
So, if you want to read a book that will make you feel really good, that doesn't deal with homophobia and the evil, evil world outside, that shows that even gay couples can lead a happy life, then this is a book for you.
It's a really cute story about two young men from different social background falling in love. Paul is an artist. After his lover Jay dies in a car accident, Paul inherits his money and decides to move away from Spokane and to Willow Bend, a picturesque little town. He buys a little house and turns the barn into a studio. But still, the inspiration doesn't come. Until...
Until he meets Cory. Cory is only 24, but he works two jobs to support his mother who is in coma. He takes care of her, his house is more than a little run down and he is working himself to exhaustion. But then he meets Paul and finally, he starts to live. Paul offers Cory financial help but the younger man is too proud to accept. But then, thanks to a stroke of bad luck, Cory's mother suffers a bad seizure while he falls asleep in Paul's arms and it looks like Cory's guilt might tear him and Paul appart.
This is a very good book. There's no action, so it might seem rather slow. But the atmosphere is very calming and leaves you feeling very good and mushy. True, the little town that accepts homosexual couples as a common thing might be too idealistic, but it's quite well explained why it is so.
What I also find interesting is the lack of mush in the story itself. The boys don't call each other babe or sweetheart or any other cute pet names. Even while having sex it's always Paul and Cory. And they fuck or have sex, they don't make love. The author made them sensitive without trying to turn them into teenage girls. Sure, there is a lot of crying when Paul remembers Jay and Cory deals with what happened to his mother, but it's quite understandable and not overdone.
So, if you want to read a book that will make you feel really good, that doesn't deal with homophobia and the evil, evil world outside, that shows that even gay couples can lead a happy life, then this is a book for you.
December 19, 2014
What is it about this author's writing that gets to me? I've loved every book of hers I've read so far. They just make me feel.
Paul moves to Willow Bend after losing his partner of six years in an auto accident. He's still grieving but ready for a fresh start. He meets Cory who's working two jobs and taking care of his comatose mother. Cory is barely hanging on, and life is slowly grinding him down. He broke my heart more than once.
There's an immediate attraction between Cory and Paul. The sex happens early in the relationship, but that's only the beginning. These two are so loving and affectionate with each other; lots of kissing and hand holding here. Paul and Cory are both nice guys who've been dealt some pretty crappy hands. You can't help but root for them.
I felt so much for Cory. He's had to grow up so fast and give up his own dreams to be his mother's primary caretaker. Yet he's not bitter nor is he willing to take charity. He's very stubborn about accepting help, so when he does, it's a wonderful, poignant moment.
The plot makes this sound as if the book is drowning in angst. And there is a fair amount because of the health of Cory's mother. But mostly, this was a tender love story (with lots of hot sex) about two men who are grieving but don't turn away from love. They embrace it, in fact. Both are well aware of how fragile and fleeting life can be.
Paul moves to Willow Bend after losing his partner of six years in an auto accident. He's still grieving but ready for a fresh start. He meets Cory who's working two jobs and taking care of his comatose mother. Cory is barely hanging on, and life is slowly grinding him down. He broke my heart more than once.
There's an immediate attraction between Cory and Paul. The sex happens early in the relationship, but that's only the beginning. These two are so loving and affectionate with each other; lots of kissing and hand holding here. Paul and Cory are both nice guys who've been dealt some pretty crappy hands. You can't help but root for them.
I felt so much for Cory. He's had to grow up so fast and give up his own dreams to be his mother's primary caretaker. Yet he's not bitter nor is he willing to take charity. He's very stubborn about accepting help, so when he does, it's a wonderful, poignant moment.
The plot makes this sound as if the book is drowning in angst. And there is a fair amount because of the health of Cory's mother. But mostly, this was a tender love story (with lots of hot sex) about two men who are grieving but don't turn away from love. They embrace it, in fact. Both are well aware of how fragile and fleeting life can be.
August 6, 2016
Cory is working two jobs to keep his house and look after his sick mother. Paul has moved to the small town to start again after tragedy.
I liked these 2 together, they seemed to compliment each other. However, I hated the childish sex talk between the two. Suddenly neither man could speak in whole sentences.
I liked these 2 together, they seemed to compliment each other. However, I hated the childish sex talk between the two. Suddenly neither man could speak in whole sentences.
February 22, 2014
This book was just sappy sappy and SAPPY . I wasn't really feeling it and the characters seem to be falling in love too quickly for me to believe it was genuine. This is the same problem I had in the last book I read by Ally Blue. It just seem every scene goal is to lead them to having sex or talking about sex. It seems that they just met each other and the character Cory was quick with to get rid of Condom and allowing Paul to take nude photo of you after meeting up apparently two times before. I just can't deal with that and that eww factor I found with Paul's favorite picture of Cory.
February 20, 2014
So many possibilities to expand were not taken up - the angst.......the "dance" before the lube is pulled out.... Paul's soul-wrenching heartbreak with the loss of the love of his life....... Rather, I call this style of m-m romance as, "Hey Im going to the shop... hi how are you.... lets f#"..... There is better out there..... sorry... but this is MY opinion.
January 29, 2019
What a beautiful and moving story that'll have you staining the pages with tears both happy and painful. O so painful. A beautiful testament to the power of love and second chances, even after tragedy.
March 3, 2018
Me encanta esta historia, es linda para pasar un buen rato o unas horas de insombio
June 3, 2019
~A review on my way~
October 16, 2012
Lovely romance, but much of the book is very sad
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The characterization in this book, especially of Cory, is among the best I’ve seen from this author. Blue does a good job early on of painting what sort of people the two main guys are—as well as creating an excellent sense of the pain both have experienced (and still are experiencing).
- Paul and Cory have good chemistry right from the start. There’s not a lot of hemming and hawing around; they’re attracted to each other, they hook up, they become friends, they fall in love. I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold.
- Although the guys jump into a physical relationship a little faster than I like to see, the sex scenes are tender and gentle and lovely. Both characters are considerate and giving.
- There are funny little sentences throughout the book in the exposition, many of which made me laugh out loud. My favorite: “One at a time in the condom section seemed to be an unwritten rule.”
CON:
- I know they’re necessary, and I know they make the happy scenes that much happier, but parts--lots of parts--of this book are VERY sad. Both characters are dealing with the loss of someone dear to them (although they’re in different stages of the grieving process), and *wow* does Blue portray the grief well. I cried several times reading this, and not just the first time I read it.
Overall comments: I first read this almost a year ago--it was one of my very first experiences with m/m romance--and after that first reading, I couldn’t focus at all on the romance because other parts of the story are so sad. After a second reading, I still find parts of it very sad, but I enjoyed the book more overall.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The characterization in this book, especially of Cory, is among the best I’ve seen from this author. Blue does a good job early on of painting what sort of people the two main guys are—as well as creating an excellent sense of the pain both have experienced (and still are experiencing).
- Paul and Cory have good chemistry right from the start. There’s not a lot of hemming and hawing around; they’re attracted to each other, they hook up, they become friends, they fall in love. I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold.
- Although the guys jump into a physical relationship a little faster than I like to see, the sex scenes are tender and gentle and lovely. Both characters are considerate and giving.
- There are funny little sentences throughout the book in the exposition, many of which made me laugh out loud. My favorite: “One at a time in the condom section seemed to be an unwritten rule.”
CON:
- I know they’re necessary, and I know they make the happy scenes that much happier, but parts--lots of parts--of this book are VERY sad. Both characters are dealing with the loss of someone dear to them (although they’re in different stages of the grieving process), and *wow* does Blue portray the grief well. I cried several times reading this, and not just the first time I read it.
Overall comments: I first read this almost a year ago--it was one of my very first experiences with m/m romance--and after that first reading, I couldn’t focus at all on the romance because other parts of the story are so sad. After a second reading, I still find parts of it very sad, but I enjoyed the book more overall.
November 12, 2011
Loved it.
Paul moves across the country a year or so after losing his partner in a horrible accident that Paul had survived. He meets Cory, who is a waiter at a restaurant in the small town. There is an instant attraction. Cory is working two jobs in order to be able to care for his comatose mother and to keep a roof over their heads. Paul is quite wealthy but doesn't consider himself to be rich.
Paul is still dealing with the loss of his partner and Cory is working himself in the ground to provide for his mother. Neither feels that it is the right time for a relationship. Watching their relationship grow was sweet. There was loss and there was some angst but everything simply came together so well. You can't help but feel sympathy for each character as he deals with his own personal issues. The way everything comes together is perfect.
I'm really glad I rediscovered this author. I had read one of her books a year or so ago and really didn't like it. That kept me from reading more until recently. Hopefully this (and others I've read this week) has taught me to not judge an author by one book.
Paul moves across the country a year or so after losing his partner in a horrible accident that Paul had survived. He meets Cory, who is a waiter at a restaurant in the small town. There is an instant attraction. Cory is working two jobs in order to be able to care for his comatose mother and to keep a roof over their heads. Paul is quite wealthy but doesn't consider himself to be rich.
Paul is still dealing with the loss of his partner and Cory is working himself in the ground to provide for his mother. Neither feels that it is the right time for a relationship. Watching their relationship grow was sweet. There was loss and there was some angst but everything simply came together so well. You can't help but feel sympathy for each character as he deals with his own personal issues. The way everything comes together is perfect.
I'm really glad I rediscovered this author. I had read one of her books a year or so ago and really didn't like it. That kept me from reading more until recently. Hopefully this (and others I've read this week) has taught me to not judge an author by one book.
September 2, 2015
I'm not sure if my problem with this book was the story or that my expectations were widely off. After reading the blurb and the 6% sample I was really excited to read this - it had all the right elements - damaged man with haunted past and a struggling love interest with overbearing commitments - sounded really good. The sample laid the story out nicely - Cory was hit with sudden lust and Paul's internal struggle about wanting someone after the loss of his partner. However, at 7%, Paul seemed to be totally anguish-free and they were at it like rabbits in the wide open air without even batting an eyelid (a recurrent theme throughout). Like I said, I was expecting a bit of angst from Paul, and totally didn't get it so I'm not sure if this coloured my view, and therefore my rating. There wasn't anything wrong with the story, just a little fast, free and easy for my taste.
I will still check out the authors other books as I liked the style of writing. If you want a good getting-together tale, you will probably love it. If you're after a bit more angst and anguish - probably not so much.
I will still check out the authors other books as I liked the style of writing. If you want a good getting-together tale, you will probably love it. If you're after a bit more angst and anguish - probably not so much.
June 29, 2011
Ally blue has done it again with another wonderful romantic story.Paul comes to willow bend to start over, a new town a new beginning having lost his love.Cory works two jobs to keep a roof over his head and his mums who is very Ill.From the moment they meet at corys job at the diner , a spark flies and we watch them find love and above all hope for the future. Willow bend is a gentle, heart warming read which will have you turning the page and hoping liike hell these two guys can make a go of what could be a wonderful future.A lovey lovely story , who great characters which you cant help but fall in love with , cory with all his issues is still so adorable and Paul for his strength helping cory to heal inner demons
A defiante winner
A defiante winner
April 4, 2012
This was agreat book.Come and read it gay boys!
Great book,very emotional and it shows how you get past the fact that someone in your life is gone and the complicated relationship between two guys.
I liked Paul he was the guy that knew how is it to lose a dear person.He was like the man in the relationship while Cory was the shy,sensitive guy.Also Cory was a lot younger then Paul.
I recommend this book espeacily for gay people but also for streight people,It kind of gives you a glimpse at how gay people are different just because they like a person of the same sex.They are not some aliens from a distant planet.They love,they suffer in the same way.Also if you are groussed out by gay sex scenes you sould skip that part....parts.
Great book,very emotional and it shows how you get past the fact that someone in your life is gone and the complicated relationship between two guys.
I liked Paul he was the guy that knew how is it to lose a dear person.He was like the man in the relationship while Cory was the shy,sensitive guy.Also Cory was a lot younger then Paul.
I recommend this book espeacily for gay people but also for streight people,It kind of gives you a glimpse at how gay people are different just because they like a person of the same sex.They are not some aliens from a distant planet.They love,they suffer in the same way.Also if you are groussed out by gay sex scenes you sould skip that part....parts.
February 12, 2017
I liked it but didn't love it.
Perhaps on the too sweet side for me. For me, it is purely character driven romance and I do prefer more depth.
Paul's devasting 18 months is behind him when we meet him so even when we find out what happened their is low angst as we have no investment in Jay.
Similarly with Cory's mum - she is already in a coma so there is no involvement to be had with her.
Paul and Cory do get together quickly and whilst they were OK together I didn't feel it for them.
There was no big storming off scenes - a couple of small ones but they got overthemselves fairly quickly which was good.
Cory was the archetypical 'I can do it all my self' self sacricing hero when I wanted to yell 'take the help offered'!
Perhaps on the too sweet side for me. For me, it is purely character driven romance and I do prefer more depth.
Paul's devasting 18 months is behind him when we meet him so even when we find out what happened their is low angst as we have no investment in Jay.
Similarly with Cory's mum - she is already in a coma so there is no involvement to be had with her.
Paul and Cory do get together quickly and whilst they were OK together I didn't feel it for them.
There was no big storming off scenes - a couple of small ones but they got overthemselves fairly quickly which was good.
Cory was the archetypical 'I can do it all my self' self sacricing hero when I wanted to yell 'take the help offered'!
November 19, 2008
Willow Bend, was for me, a very refreshing read. Ally Blue's writing style quickly gave life to the main characters, Paul and Cory, which had me taken up and away on an emotional ride throughout.
The men, though both from very different worlds, found themselves attracted to one another from the get-go, and the story had me emotionally focused as the two established, adjusted, and finally settled into a relationship that was put to the test from the start.
Bottom line: The story was believable. A far cry from the typical manga-style romance of fluff and unrealistic, mushy sex. Willow Bend has soul.
The men, though both from very different worlds, found themselves attracted to one another from the get-go, and the story had me emotionally focused as the two established, adjusted, and finally settled into a relationship that was put to the test from the start.
Bottom line: The story was believable. A far cry from the typical manga-style romance of fluff and unrealistic, mushy sex. Willow Bend has soul.
January 21, 2014
Sweet, short and deeply sad,
This story was very moving, emotionally it touched my heart as a story of a son losing his mother, his mama, and the only person in the world who was his. This was a very stark story, very few frills and almost no happy moments, but even so, I was able to see Cory and Paul's love for one another. It was very fast paced, the way they got together, almost desperate, but then it was a short story and I knew it would probably develop that way. I wish it could have been happier, then the romance would have stood out better, but as it was, i liked the way this author wrote a difficult story and I believed in this HEA.
This story was very moving, emotionally it touched my heart as a story of a son losing his mother, his mama, and the only person in the world who was his. This was a very stark story, very few frills and almost no happy moments, but even so, I was able to see Cory and Paul's love for one another. It was very fast paced, the way they got together, almost desperate, but then it was a short story and I knew it would probably develop that way. I wish it could have been happier, then the romance would have stood out better, but as it was, i liked the way this author wrote a difficult story and I believed in this HEA.
June 6, 2014
This is my first Ally Blue's book for me.
The story itself is sweet, really sweet...and I like it, but....I think there're some things happen to fast and made everything seems lil' bit too rush.
I like "insta-love" kinda story but, this one lil' bit more too "insta-lust" rather than "insta-love".
But both Paul and Cory really adorable person indeed.
And I love how they care for each other and how Paul took care Cory after he lost his mother.
I like each time Cory snuggle on Paul neck, sweet....
Some scene bring back my old memories when I lost my mother last December....
Overall, I like this story for it sweetnes and simplicity....
August 10, 2016
Lovely emotional read. It wasn't instalove but moved a bit fast. Looking at each other longingly and craving each other's touch was rushed. Some author do that well where you feel the connection. Funnily enough I was set to rate this a 3, but the latter 20-25% was done well. The loss of a loved one and how one deals with that loss is captured nicely. Paul helping Cory forced Paul to confront his feelings about his own loss and move. One pet peeve- talking during sex was forced to single syllable words - oh God, need you, gonna come. Got a little annoying. But still surprisingly good.
April 28, 2009
I enjoyed this, but it didn' exactly catch me on fire. The writing is eay to read, the characters are likeable, but it felt predictable in the end. I'm not really a romance reader at least not of the straightforward conventional A meets B, fall in love, there's some complications but you know it will all be happy in the end. Possibly I just like the complications more! I think I like romance with more of a edge to it. But I enjoyed the writing enough that I have another of Ally's book waiting for me to read that looks more "edgy", so I'm looking forward to that.
August 3, 2011
Love at first sight is nice, but after awhile I have trouble suspending my disbelief. Thankfully, Ally Blue doesn't require it. Cory and Paul are instantly attracted, but life isn't simple. They both have difficult complications in their lives preventing an immediate happy ending. Cory's mother is dying. Paul has just lost his life partner. They both enjoy hot sex together, but can't commit to more. This is a romance, so we do get the happily ever after, but what we have until then is real life issues (and plot!).
This is one of those rare books you'll want to re-read. I highly recommend it!
This is one of those rare books you'll want to re-read. I highly recommend it!
August 12, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. I liked how we got to get a good feel for the characters before they start jumping each other ;)
I read this last week and, sadly, the details of the book are already fading from my memory. It was a nice fun quick read with great characters, but nothing that makes it stand out from all the other great books, unfortunately. But I will eventually check out other things by this author.
I read this last week and, sadly, the details of the book are already fading from my memory. It was a nice fun quick read with great characters, but nothing that makes it stand out from all the other great books, unfortunately. But I will eventually check out other things by this author.
August 14, 2016
This has one of my favorite themes which is a young person being rescued by a caring and tender lover. Here we have a young man who is really struggling, taking care of a sick mother and working himself to the bone. Enter a rich and gentle painter who feels something for him right away and wants to help. There is pride involved and quite a bit of angst to complicate things, but at last we get a great HEA.
May 31, 2013
another great book by ally blue. i really liked the story because it deals with two men--one dealing with the loss of his previous partner and one dealing with a terminally ill parent and working two jobs who manage to find each other and build a relationship despite the issues. it was a very emotional read for me but there is a HEA for sure
January 27, 2009
This was an easy quick read. I enjoyed the style of writing and even though I had to suspense my disbelief at falling in love within 9 months, and having sex every other time they were together even after his mother died I still thought it was okay.
March 19, 2010
Read it with a box of tissues. I sobbed through over half of it. The love scenes feel a little rushed, but everything else about it is beyond wonderful. Blue takes us through different areas of grief and love and ends on a high, happy note. This is a great read.
June 9, 2011
Read this several times. I think I like the instant attraction between Cory and Paul the the sudden hunger that reveals their feelings. (love the scene with the bike in the rain.) Paul's pain is real and I think it helps him to help Cory later in the book.
February 20, 2011
This was so beautiful...a keeper for me. No huge explosions, not a single psycho stalker/car chase/alien abduction...just real life, and the giddy feeling of falling in love amongst the peaks and valleys of emotion real life brings.
October 25, 2013
I liked it. I'd say it was more romantic/dramatic than erotic though. I liked the characters and their chemistry and how good they were together, it has a good plot but it gets a bit sappy towards the end. Still pretty good. It's filled with love and a nice HEA.
April 28, 2014
A very sweet love story. 2 men meet, fall in love and support each other through some tough times. A nice, uncomplicated story with interesting and sexy characters and hot sex. It all made for a very entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews