Shattered

From the Edge #1

by Eve Riley

Can two young gay men survive the hate and find love?

Jimmy Ashford's senior year is looking good. His part-time job hours are lining up perfectly with studying and his future goals. With his parents behind him all the way, he knows he is one of the lucky ones when it comes to support and love. He's gay, out, and proud.
He can't wait to graduate and go off to Art School. Being an artist is all he's ever dreamed about. Well, except now there's the new sexy-as-sin Zane Hamilton. Life is suddenly a lot more interesting, but can Jimmy tolerate being Zane's dirty little secret?

Zane Hamilton only has a few more years before he will be free of his controlling parents and is finally able to start his dream for the future. If only he can make it that long. His father is determined he work in the family business and marry a woman he has zero interest in. If he doesn't comply, his whole future is at risk.
As manager of the quaint little diner in town, he has no business staring at one of the staff, but Jimmy is so free and confident, gorgeous too. Everything he wants. Everything he needs. Keeping his eyes, and hands, off Jimmy is torture, and he hates keeping Jimmy in the background like a dirty little secret, but if his parents find out he's gay all hell will break loose.

Is Zane willing to stand up for Jimmy, for their love?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, M M Romance, LGBT, Queer, Workplace, Gay

346 pages, ebook

Published February 8, 2022

About the author

Please see my new profile and pen name under Evie. Thank you!

Reviews

[Mami Bear · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apparently being rich is more important than being safe. One Of the MCs and his brother who is 17 have a physically and verbally abusive father but apparently holding out for an inheritance is more important than moving out/notifying authorities.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Financial Security or Love ? . . .

This story line is filled with difficult decisions, and shows the effect of supportive versus controlling parents. Jimmy Ashford has a part-time job that allows him to have enough study time to make his senior year perfect. His parents support his dream of going to an art school to pursue what he loves. Then Zane Hamilton entered the picture and he has to choose whether to become Zane’s “dirty little secret” or to move on before he gets hurt.

Zane Hamilton’s life is made more difficult by his controlling parents. His father has laid out his future for him. He will work in the family business and marry a woman he has absolutely no interest in. There is a high cost if he disobeys. So when he sees Jimmy, he is a temptation Zane should walk away from. Zane is the manager of the diner and Jimmy is one of the staff. Zane admires his confidence. But if he chooses Jimmy, he will lose the future that had been laid out for him. Which of these two life-changing choices will he make? Can he live without love, live a lie to follow a path laid down by his father? Or will love and making his own way become a more favorable future? It’s not an easy choice when you are trying to get started. But some things are worth taking that risk. Looking back in regret may be a more painful choice than standing up for your future happiness.

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was just not where it needed to be, often coming off as robotic and a little juvenile, as if a fifteen-year-old had used an AI.

[Anne Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great box set mainly about overcoming something to fulfil your life whether it’s having a strict family and you can’t be who you want to be or love who you want to love.
In shattered you’ve got a guy called Jimmy who has grown up in the best way possible with a family that support him. We meet his friends brother Zane he can’t help but be attracted to him but he’s not sure he’s gay. But when he does find out that he is gay and hiding it from his family because of an inheritance is it worth it?
These two are super cute together but they’ve got so much to overcome there’s lots of drama but lots of passion and love. A really good read
Even Riley is one of my favourite M/M authors and in this boxset it just goes to show why. Each story has its own drama to overcome. But what is special is the emotions that you feel when you’re reading these books. They pull you in so you feel like you know the main characters. I can’t wait for her next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out and proud Jimmy meets in the closet Zane but do they have a future.
Jimmy had been lucky to have parents who supported him in being gay and wanting to be an artist but he knew others were not that lucky as his friend had been kicked out of the house but found refuge with his older brother. When he meets Zane he is not sure if he is straight or gay but is attracted to him. Zane has a very controlling father which meant he was not allowed to go to college and was expected to marry the daughter of another wealthy business man but Zane is gay. He has been trying to hold out until he is twenty-five when he id due to get his trust fund but then he meets Jimmy. He struggles to keep his distance but what he feels for Jimmy is too strong.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Syd Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a wonderful book. I loved Jimmy and Zane together. There is a wonderful connection and chemistry between these two. Jimmy hasn't hide who he was and as very supportive parents while Zane as the opposite. There is a pull between Zane and Jimmy that neither can deny and they really don't want to. There is a lot of drama, love, steam, love and also "real world" situation(s) that made this book so good. I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it. I can't wait for the next book!

I received a free e-book copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

They come from very different households. Jimmy has supportive parents who let him be who he is, out and proud. They are also in support of his desire to be an artist. Then there is Zane. His parents want to mold him into who they want him to be - they want him to work in the family business and marry the woman of their choice. They get together and Zane tries to keep it on the downlow until he can get his inheritance but the best laid plans. Once his father finds out he disowns Zane. Can they make their way through in spite of this setback? This was a good story and thought provoking.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elliott Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh boy. Our precious bean Jimmy is just out here being pure sunshine, living his life out and proud. Accepted into an art school for college and working on finishing his senior year of high school he’s decided dating just isn’t important, until Zane. Zane is looking to gain experience in hospitality working as a manager at a diner, he meets Jimmy and is instantly drawn to him. They have to navigate Zane being closeted, homophobes, and worrying about Zane’s you get brother while they fight for their HEA.

[T Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zane and Jimmy are great as a couple. Their lives are so different, however. Zane’s is secrets and hiding while Jimmy has the support of his family and peers. Bigotry, abuse and homophobia all make an appearance in this book. As this is book 1 in a series it leaves you with questions but that only wets your anticipation. A good reading with great potential for another engaging story to follow.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katrina Skinner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was going to DNF this so many times throughout but I did end up finishing it.

The writing wasn't great and at times repetitive. The story needed more to it and I wasn't entirely sure why the attack needed to happen, if Jimmy couldn't remember the attack what was the point in it. Didn't add much to the story at all. Also didn't understand why Zane wouldn't involve police or something to save his brother from abuse?

I did like the characters but they needed more development.

[Sara Sigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jimmy’s parents accepted him being gay and wanting to go to art school, he also worked part time at a restaurant. Zane became the night manager but in the closet gay because he needed his inheritance. Something happened to them on a date and his father found out and disowned him. But things have a way of working out! Good book!

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and heartbreaking

Without telling the book just know there is sadness, violence, love, growth and maturity. I cried, I clapped, was prepared to catch a case and fell in love with the main characters ALL over again.

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.8

[Mic_Michelle]

KINDLE FREEBIE 12/04/2024

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.