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Trust Me
Scott Riley is living with a terrible secret — one he dares not share with his family or friends. Who can he turn to…who can he trust?
After losing his job because of one man’s actions and lies, Scott Riley is desperately seeking employment or he will have to give up his car and his apartment, perhaps even leave San Diego and return home to Sacramento. Being the victim of rape, he feels shame, humiliation and a deep seated anger that he cannot bring his attacker to justice because of what he thinks it might do to his parents. Rather than have them live with the knowledge of what happened to their only son, he does everything in his power to spare them, even at a cost to his own happiness.
When Ross Nelson offers Scott a position in his software company, Scott feels that this change in his luck may prove to be the turning point where he can put his painful memories behind him. Although aware of the obstacles inherent in an office romance, Scott and Ross soon find themselves irresistibly drawn to one another. But Scott’s nemesis refuses to stop tormenting him with texts and phone messages, some obscene, others that contain threats and derision.
Can their love for each other overcome the ravings of a deranged stalker, or will they be torn apart by the clear and present danger this man represents?
** This story contains memories of non-consensual sex and abuse.**
** This book was previously published. It has been lightly re-edited but remains true to the original story.**
After losing his job because of one man’s actions and lies, Scott Riley is desperately seeking employment or he will have to give up his car and his apartment, perhaps even leave San Diego and return home to Sacramento. Being the victim of rape, he feels shame, humiliation and a deep seated anger that he cannot bring his attacker to justice because of what he thinks it might do to his parents. Rather than have them live with the knowledge of what happened to their only son, he does everything in his power to spare them, even at a cost to his own happiness.
When Ross Nelson offers Scott a position in his software company, Scott feels that this change in his luck may prove to be the turning point where he can put his painful memories behind him. Although aware of the obstacles inherent in an office romance, Scott and Ross soon find themselves irresistibly drawn to one another. But Scott’s nemesis refuses to stop tormenting him with texts and phone messages, some obscene, others that contain threats and derision.
Can their love for each other overcome the ravings of a deranged stalker, or will they be torn apart by the clear and present danger this man represents?
** This story contains memories of non-consensual sex and abuse.**
** This book was previously published. It has been lightly re-edited but remains true to the original story.**
- GenresM M Romance
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2017
10 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Bowie
136 books232 followersJ.P. Bowie was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland. He wrote his first (unpublished) novel – a science fiction tale of brawny men and brawnier women that made him a little suspect in the eyes of his family for a while.
Leaving home at age eighteen for the bright lights of London, he found himself in the midst of a “diverse and creative crowd” that eventually led him to the performing arts. For the next twelve years he sang, danced and acted his way around the theatres of London and the provinces, appearing in shows with many famous British singers, actors and comedians.
After immigrating to the US and living for many years in Las Vegas where he worked for that incomparable duo, Siegfried and Roy, J.P. found himself entranced by the fair city of San Diego where he currently lives with his partner, Phil.
J.P. loves to hear from his readers and can be contacted at jpbowie@cox.net
Leaving home at age eighteen for the bright lights of London, he found himself in the midst of a “diverse and creative crowd” that eventually led him to the performing arts. For the next twelve years he sang, danced and acted his way around the theatres of London and the provinces, appearing in shows with many famous British singers, actors and comedians.
After immigrating to the US and living for many years in Las Vegas where he worked for that incomparable duo, Siegfried and Roy, J.P. found himself entranced by the fair city of San Diego where he currently lives with his partner, Phil.
J.P. loves to hear from his readers and can be contacted at jpbowie@cox.net
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 12, 2022
At 40%
Scott has ben r4ped on his workplace 3 months ago. His employer kicked him out and didn't believe him (or well, there's a story to discover the reasons there) amd he was too ashamed to tell anyone. His trauma is still fresh, and that sh1t of a man is still stalking him and playing with him.
However Scott meets Ross, an AMAZING man who gives him a job but also a friend who makes him talk for the first time and makes him feel good feelings again.
Mixed feelings, reading about r4pe is hard but it's treated as a crime and as a trauma and focusing on coping and healing. When I hate r4pe in romance is when it's romanticised, when it's done by one MC to the other and it's written as sexy. Then, to me it reinforces the r4pist pov that the person who is r4ped has actually asked for it, they wanted it and they are liking it even if they deny it. That is terrible. But not the case here.
Still 40% so I expect some bad stuff with the stalker, and Ross saving Scott (and getting him to go to the police and get therapy)
FINISHED
In the second half I was quite anxious in the anticipation of some scary sh1t the r4pist/stalker would do. But it wasn't too bad. Overall, there were creepy moments (the stalker pov), scary moments, sweet moments and funny moments too. I think everybody knows that not all such stories irl end positively, and that's why for the whole time while Scott didn't want anybody to know about the assault, in his shoes I would have been scared for my life.
On the other hand, Scott and Ross were perfect 🥰
Scott has ben r4ped on his workplace 3 months ago. His employer kicked him out and didn't believe him (or well, there's a story to discover the reasons there) amd he was too ashamed to tell anyone. His trauma is still fresh, and that sh1t of a man is still stalking him and playing with him.
However Scott meets Ross, an AMAZING man who gives him a job but also a friend who makes him talk for the first time and makes him feel good feelings again.
Mixed feelings, reading about r4pe is hard but it's treated as a crime and as a trauma and focusing on coping and healing. When I hate r4pe in romance is when it's romanticised, when it's done by one MC to the other and it's written as sexy. Then, to me it reinforces the r4pist pov that the person who is r4ped has actually asked for it, they wanted it and they are liking it even if they deny it. That is terrible. But not the case here.
Still 40% so I expect some bad stuff with the stalker, and Ross saving Scott (and getting him to go to the police and get therapy)
FINISHED
In the second half I was quite anxious in the anticipation of some scary sh1t the r4pist/stalker would do. But it wasn't too bad. Overall, there were creepy moments (the stalker pov), scary moments, sweet moments and funny moments too. I think everybody knows that not all such stories irl end positively, and that's why for the whole time while Scott didn't want anybody to know about the assault, in his shoes I would have been scared for my life.
On the other hand, Scott and Ross were perfect 🥰
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February 24, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.75 stars
Trust Me is one of the few books I’ve read that deals with the topic of male rape. It’s a subject that isn’t often discussed, but desperately needs to be. So let me start off by giving Trust Me kudos for tackling something so painful, yet so important. Unfortunately, the book fails to create a believable plot or characters that engaged me as a reader. Ross is the strongest character and comes with a harsh past all his own. And while he never comes off the page as a fully formed creation, he is sweet and kind. Almost excessively so, though that’s probably my natural cynicism bleeding through. I wanted to like Scott so much more than I did. My heart broke for all that he endured, but his unwillingness to stand up for himself was hard to take. I understand that this is a product of the trauma he went through, but it was still difficult to really like him.
The relationship between Scott and Ross is borderline insta-love. Within a day of meeting one another Scott confides in Ross, though he hasn’t told anyone else in his life. And in the blink of an eye, they are moving in together. The sexy fun times between Ross and Scott are passionate, but they never feel like a real couple. Also, we are told that Scott flinches at touch, which makes perfect sense, but then he has absolutely no hesitation about becoming intimate with Ross. That seems at odds with what we are told about his post-traumatic suffering.
There is a bad guy to contend with and he is comically bad. Which is a shame because this detracted from what Scott endured. Instead of making the antagonist a monster we could believe, we are given a stalker that comes off as over the top and cartoonish. Rather than sinister, he seems ridiculous despite the horror he inflicted on Scott. Had he been a more believable character, his ruthless pursuit of Scott and Ross would have been truly terrifying.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
2.75 stars
Trust Me is one of the few books I’ve read that deals with the topic of male rape. It’s a subject that isn’t often discussed, but desperately needs to be. So let me start off by giving Trust Me kudos for tackling something so painful, yet so important. Unfortunately, the book fails to create a believable plot or characters that engaged me as a reader. Ross is the strongest character and comes with a harsh past all his own. And while he never comes off the page as a fully formed creation, he is sweet and kind. Almost excessively so, though that’s probably my natural cynicism bleeding through. I wanted to like Scott so much more than I did. My heart broke for all that he endured, but his unwillingness to stand up for himself was hard to take. I understand that this is a product of the trauma he went through, but it was still difficult to really like him.
The relationship between Scott and Ross is borderline insta-love. Within a day of meeting one another Scott confides in Ross, though he hasn’t told anyone else in his life. And in the blink of an eye, they are moving in together. The sexy fun times between Ross and Scott are passionate, but they never feel like a real couple. Also, we are told that Scott flinches at touch, which makes perfect sense, but then he has absolutely no hesitation about becoming intimate with Ross. That seems at odds with what we are told about his post-traumatic suffering.
There is a bad guy to contend with and he is comically bad. Which is a shame because this detracted from what Scott endured. Instead of making the antagonist a monster we could believe, we are given a stalker that comes off as over the top and cartoonish. Rather than sinister, he seems ridiculous despite the horror he inflicted on Scott. Had he been a more believable character, his ruthless pursuit of Scott and Ross would have been truly terrifying.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
April 5, 2023
Lunatic Fringe (I Know Your Out There)
This is my first book by this author and I loved it. Scott is hiding a terrible secret from his family and friends and no longer trusts anyone. Ross is an upcoming software developer who hires Scott and is immediately drawn to him. Ross manages to get Scott to confide in him and decides he will do whatever It takes to help Scott. Their friendship quickly turns romantic and they start dating. Unfortunately the secret Scott has been hiding comes back to haunt him and he and Ross have to find a way to rid themselves of Scott's nemesis. But how do you stop a totally deranged man who won't stop until he has Scott fully under his control. Lots of angst so heed the trigger warnings. I was on the edge of my seat reading this book not knowing what the bad guy was going to do next. This was a hard earned HEA with lots of hurt/comfort which is my favorite trope to read. I'm glad Scott learned to trust again. I highly recommend this book.
This is my first book by this author and I loved it. Scott is hiding a terrible secret from his family and friends and no longer trusts anyone. Ross is an upcoming software developer who hires Scott and is immediately drawn to him. Ross manages to get Scott to confide in him and decides he will do whatever It takes to help Scott. Their friendship quickly turns romantic and they start dating. Unfortunately the secret Scott has been hiding comes back to haunt him and he and Ross have to find a way to rid themselves of Scott's nemesis. But how do you stop a totally deranged man who won't stop until he has Scott fully under his control. Lots of angst so heed the trigger warnings. I was on the edge of my seat reading this book not knowing what the bad guy was going to do next. This was a hard earned HEA with lots of hurt/comfort which is my favorite trope to read. I'm glad Scott learned to trust again. I highly recommend this book.
January 5, 2023
This book was very well written, I unfortunately have many friends who are survivors of sexual assault and the thoughts and feelings that Scott had were very realistic. That also made this one of the most frustrating books I have ever read because I wanted to help! I wanted to do something! But of course I couldn’t so I just continued on as a passenger.
Ross and Scott were great mcs and the book was filled with a lot of likeable side characters as well as a deplorable villain. The assault is not on page or graphic but still take care of yourself if this is triggering for you. Elliot was definitely unhinged and you will hate him the whole time he is there lol
But you will also fall in love with Ross and Scott and enjoy the journey as they go from caring boss and employee, to friends, to so much more.
Ross and Scott were great mcs and the book was filled with a lot of likeable side characters as well as a deplorable villain. The assault is not on page or graphic but still take care of yourself if this is triggering for you. Elliot was definitely unhinged and you will hate him the whole time he is there lol
But you will also fall in love with Ross and Scott and enjoy the journey as they go from caring boss and employee, to friends, to so much more.
July 20, 2022
The start of this story is heartbreaking,
the daily nightmare Scott was living was utterly heartbreaking. Hastings is one unhinged nut who, besides attacking him and doing unspeakable harm, he was also stalking Scott and sending creepy or disgusting texts, but when Ross comes on the scene things escalate terribly and Scott fears for his and Ross's lives. This was an amazing read, keeps you on the edge of your seat, intense, unpredictable, but also sexy.
the daily nightmare Scott was living was utterly heartbreaking. Hastings is one unhinged nut who, besides attacking him and doing unspeakable harm, he was also stalking Scott and sending creepy or disgusting texts, but when Ross comes on the scene things escalate terribly and Scott fears for his and Ross's lives. This was an amazing read, keeps you on the edge of your seat, intense, unpredictable, but also sexy.
March 5, 2017
Scott is trying to put his life back together after he was attacked and raped by a man, Elliot, at his previous job. When Elliot was able to turn things around against Scott, and their superior believed Elliot over Scott, Scott walked off the job. Scott never took any action beyond that hoping to shield his parents from the knowledge. After a month or so of recovering and trying to move on, Scott is searching for a new job when he gets an interview at Ross Nelson’s company.
Ross decides pretty much right away to hire Scott and is even more convinced he wants to help him after Scott opens up about what happened to cause the departure from his previous position. Unfortunately, the Elliot problem has not gone away and is, in fact, intensifying.
This was a really sweet story in one sense with Scott finding a new life and love with Ross (and his Company). It does a good job dealing with the important issue of male rape, the availability of counseling (though Scott never seeks any), and the aspect of men (and women) not reporting the crimes for various reasons. On the other hand, the stalker issue was a bit too over the top to be believable for me, as was the issue of Scott (who had yet to confide in anyone at this point) confiding all to Ross within a day of meeting him. Things happen very quickly for these two, though there are events that help push them in those directions. If you’re a fan of instalove, this was a pretty classic case.
There were some aspects I wish had been a bit more detailed, such as Scott finding it difficult to handle people touching him. Given his rape and ensuing trauma, I had expected him to have had more of a struggle with intimacy at the very least, yet he jumps right in with Ross.
But, all in all, this was a sweet afternoon delight with a side of crazy stalker. It has a lovely HEA when they finally get the Elliot issue under control. Scott’s family is fabulous, as are his new coworkers, and I definitely would mind seeing another story about Darren and Jack and their budding romance!
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
February 12, 2017
Trust Me was in general solid, fast developing romance between a rape victim Scott Riley and his new boss Ross Nelson. What Scott went through was hard, but his action after that awful accident, hiding the rape, was simply wrong. Sooner than later everything comes to light and there isn't a secret witch wont be exposed. That's why I can't understand why didn't Scott act sooner then so late in this story. Personally I disliked how weak he behaved.
January 24, 2017
Trust Me by J.P. Bowie
I am so glad to read Trust Me by J.P. Howie, thoroughly this book and will be adding his name to my list of favorite authors. I gave this story five stars because of the interesting mix of family support/love as well as hot romance and the insane stalker.
I am so glad to read Trust Me by J.P. Howie, thoroughly this book and will be adding his name to my list of favorite authors. I gave this story five stars because of the interesting mix of family support/love as well as hot romance and the insane stalker.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews