What do you think?
Rate this book
Beautiful Viking #1
Beautiful Viking
Eric Folke wakes after a night of heavy drinking and looks reality straight in the eye. He’s been hiding his true self behind unhappiness, anger, and a girlfriend he doesn’t want—and it has to stop. Making a critical decision, he attends a dance, trying to face his true feelings rather than hide them. There he meets Nick Bertolli, a fabulously beautiful man filled with an ocean of love he needs to share, love that will help Eric heal and grow.
As Eric accepts what is in his heart, he and Nick will face several obstacles on the road to happiness. Eric’s ex-girlfriend, Nick’s abusive former partner, and a terrible act of violence will test them, but their affection and desire for one another will never falter. Of one thing they can be sure: they will always love one another.
As Eric accepts what is in his heart, he and Nick will face several obstacles on the road to happiness. Eric’s ex-girlfriend, Nick’s abusive former partner, and a terrible act of violence will test them, but their affection and desire for one another will never falter. Of one thing they can be sure: they will always love one another.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 30, 2011
I really tried to get into this story, I swear I did. But I just couldn't. To me it lacked any kind of depth, things happened too quickly and the story was choppy. It felt to me like the author had written the whole of it while on coffee break at work. The story was shallow and even the sex scenes, despite their frequent appearance and the focus that seemed to have been put on them, lacked any deeper levels. By the time I reached somewhere around page 80 or something (out of 300+ pages) and the author decided to, within the space of just a few sentences, refer to a guy's dick as first "the great Danish snake" quickly followed by "the mighty dragon" and then back to "snake" again I was thoroughly disenchanted.
Not to mention how quickly Nick's friends seemed to open up to Eric. If one of my friends started rattling off things about my previous relationships to my new squeeze (whom they'd just met a short while previous) while I was away I'd not only dump the squeeze but also seriously question my friends loyalty.
These are just a few things that caused me to realise that there was no way I could actually finish this book without feeling thoroughly lobotomised. Add to that choppy, shallow, repetitive dialogues, half-baked character building and one too many mentions of how white the top's skin was and I'm just about ready to reach for the closest Harlequin romance novel in order to find something deeper to read.
In short, I really can't recommend this book to anyone. I'm giving it one star simply because I like the cover, not because I can actually rate the story.
Not to mention how quickly Nick's friends seemed to open up to Eric. If one of my friends started rattling off things about my previous relationships to my new squeeze (whom they'd just met a short while previous) while I was away I'd not only dump the squeeze but also seriously question my friends loyalty.
These are just a few things that caused me to realise that there was no way I could actually finish this book without feeling thoroughly lobotomised. Add to that choppy, shallow, repetitive dialogues, half-baked character building and one too many mentions of how white the top's skin was and I'm just about ready to reach for the closest Harlequin romance novel in order to find something deeper to read.
In short, I really can't recommend this book to anyone. I'm giving it one star simply because I like the cover, not because I can actually rate the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2011
I think I get where the author was trying to go with this book. I think he was really vying for the ultimate in romance. Reaching to convey without any doubt to the reader that Eric and Nick are soul mates. Trying to show us, step by step, how this is so and why we should believe it wholeheartedly like they do. Unfortunately, the story gets lost in the end goal and ends up making both men seem immature, unrealistic and overly needy.
I really wanted to like this book, as it's a nice love story between likable characters. It includes lots of color, characterization, and tons of insight into their lives. The downfall is in the dialogue and some of the plotting. When Nick and Eric start talking it drops me right out of the story. They are stilted, repetitive, awkward and, sadly, boring. "I love you, Nick." “I love you, too, Eric.” “Please don't leave me, Nick.” “I would never leave you, Eric.” “I love you, Nick. What if you stop loving me?” “I won't. I love you, Eric.” “I’m not good enough for you Nick, I’ve done terrible things.” “That’s in the past, I love you, Eric.” “I’m not good enough for you, I’ve done terrible things.” And repeat again and again. They have continuously empty conversations with no real staying value. They have few meaningful discussions that introduce them as characters with real substance, ideals and dreams and not just flash.
They answer questions that shouldn't be asked, and if asked, shouldn’t be answered. For instance at one point, Eric’s brother Kirk actually explains to Nick that part of his problem with Eric having a gay relationship is that he is uncomfortable with the idea of his brother being under any man. At which point Nick happily informs Kirk that Eric “does all the driving.” Kirk, with mind at ease, gives his blessing to the relationship. Once Eric learns of this conversation, while angry for a second, he thanks Nick for assuring his brother that he is indeed, the top in the relationship. After this part of the book, I am afraid it was pretty hard to see them in the same way I had before. This exchange was unintentionally pivotal in allowing me to make character assessments about both Eric and Nick that were not intended.
This story is well intentioned, but is just poorly actualized. Rather than keeping me engaged with the month-by-month growth of their relationship from stepping out of the closet and first contact to two years down the road, I kept falling outside the story. Time and again I would ask myself, “Why am I reading the same conversation over and over? Who would say/do/think that?" So sadly, I can't really recommend this book. I think the author has potential, and I would probably read another book by him, but I wouldn't read this one again.
I really wanted to like this book, as it's a nice love story between likable characters. It includes lots of color, characterization, and tons of insight into their lives. The downfall is in the dialogue and some of the plotting. When Nick and Eric start talking it drops me right out of the story. They are stilted, repetitive, awkward and, sadly, boring. "I love you, Nick." “I love you, too, Eric.” “Please don't leave me, Nick.” “I would never leave you, Eric.” “I love you, Nick. What if you stop loving me?” “I won't. I love you, Eric.” “I’m not good enough for you Nick, I’ve done terrible things.” “That’s in the past, I love you, Eric.” “I’m not good enough for you, I’ve done terrible things.” And repeat again and again. They have continuously empty conversations with no real staying value. They have few meaningful discussions that introduce them as characters with real substance, ideals and dreams and not just flash.
They answer questions that shouldn't be asked, and if asked, shouldn’t be answered. For instance at one point, Eric’s brother Kirk actually explains to Nick that part of his problem with Eric having a gay relationship is that he is uncomfortable with the idea of his brother being under any man. At which point Nick happily informs Kirk that Eric “does all the driving.” Kirk, with mind at ease, gives his blessing to the relationship. Once Eric learns of this conversation, while angry for a second, he thanks Nick for assuring his brother that he is indeed, the top in the relationship. After this part of the book, I am afraid it was pretty hard to see them in the same way I had before. This exchange was unintentionally pivotal in allowing me to make character assessments about both Eric and Nick that were not intended.
This story is well intentioned, but is just poorly actualized. Rather than keeping me engaged with the month-by-month growth of their relationship from stepping out of the closet and first contact to two years down the road, I kept falling outside the story. Time and again I would ask myself, “Why am I reading the same conversation over and over? Who would say/do/think that?" So sadly, I can't really recommend this book. I think the author has potential, and I would probably read another book by him, but I wouldn't read this one again.
May 21, 2012
Ten minutes into this book and I already regretted the purchase. The writing is not up to par and the dialogue is horrible. While reading I was thinking really. Come on. Who would say that?!!!
I made myself read the entire book. It's not the worst book ever. It even made me smile once or twice, but I would never recommend it. It just seem very amateurish and not worth the time/effort to read it.
I made myself read the entire book. It's not the worst book ever. It even made me smile once or twice, but I would never recommend it. It just seem very amateurish and not worth the time/effort to read it.
January 11, 2010
Well, the cover’s nice… Unfortunately, the writing in this m/m romance was clumsy and choppy and the characters unrealistic and gushing.
June 4, 2010
I didn't actually finish this one - I got a little tired about hearing about how virile the men were.
September 28, 2011
This is a beautiful and passionate story of two men falling in love, creating a life together with family and friends... surviving hate and violence, with their love and faith in each other becoming stronger. It celebrates love, passion, family, and friendship. There is a lot that happens in this novel in terms of what happens after Eric and Nick declared their love for each other and began living together, which adds to why I liked it very much. I felt good knowing the two and seeing their tenderness and passion for each other but, more importantly, living a full life with family and friends. I enjoyed the family dinners, camping and hiking trips with friends and siblings, office parties... experiencing vignettes of their daily lives. Eric and Nick complement each other. They are a great match. It is a sweet romance... a definite plus!
November 24, 2014
This is a terrible book. Even when compared solely with other books in what is probably the worst written genre in existence, this book still stands out as a prime example of stupid dialogue, one-dimensional characterization, and pointless scenes that do nothing to further the plot. It is painfully, woefully bad. I am trying to think of something positive to say about it but there's nothing. Absolutely nothing. If anyone tries to give you this book for free I recommend you run as fast as you can away from that person and immediately cease all contact.
tl;dr: I didn't like it.
tl;dr: I didn't like it.
November 21, 2015
I'm suprised many ppl disliked this book. Imo this story is so sweet.
I know,I know, the main characters are extremely sweet with each other, but that's why I liked it.
We are so used to stories that involves a lot of conflicts and volatile couples that a story with a slow burn romance was refreshing!
I know that seems impossible to have a supporting family and friends but why do stories always have to focus on the awful side of outing?!
Loved this story.
P.S: I'm writing this review after the second time I read the book.
I know,I know, the main characters are extremely sweet with each other, but that's why I liked it.
We are so used to stories that involves a lot of conflicts and volatile couples that a story with a slow burn romance was refreshing!
I know that seems impossible to have a supporting family and friends but why do stories always have to focus on the awful side of outing?!
Loved this story.
P.S: I'm writing this review after the second time I read the book.
November 21, 2011
Eric I loved from the get-go. Nick was even easier to love. Two guys meet and fall so deep so quickly. I was hooked from the first chapter and refused to end it til it ended. Then I gave a sigh of relieve and found "saving Trevor" and got my guys for another few hours. Steve Sampson, thank you for writing and believing in unconditional love and the realism that comes with it.
April 16, 2011
A very touching story. A have to read!
June 14, 2021
A sweet story about 2 men falling in love. Angsty things happen to them but not between them which is a nice change. Hot sex scenes put this right up there with my other favorite feel-good reads.
August 24, 2014
I couldn't finish. It was super boring and unexciting.
May 19, 2015
Yeah this is romance but do they have to be so damned happy? Too much loving not enough conflict for my taste.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews