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Down the Shore #1
Moonlight
I was the most sought-after concert pianist in the world. Now I barely leave my apartment. Injury and addiction have taken their toll, and I can't seem to get my life back on track.
My best friend wants to send me on a month-long vacation to the Moonlight Inn to get ready to play for his wedding. In New Jersey. The place where I almost died. My friends think I should get “hot and heavy” at the Jersey shore, but I just want to be able to perform again.
I didn’t anticipate meeting someone like Sean O’Neil, the owner of Moonlight Inn. He’s down-to-earth and kind, and when I’m with him, I feel unaccountably safe. His quiet encouragement helps me conquer my fears and get back in front of an audience.
As my confidence grows, the world I thought closed to me, opens once more. Word spreads of my return, and people from around the globe are asking me to play for them. At last, I can get back to doing what I love most.
But the luster of touring dulls when a tragedy in Sean’s life prevents him from joining me. Will I have to choose between the career I love and the man who holds my heart?
My best friend wants to send me on a month-long vacation to the Moonlight Inn to get ready to play for his wedding. In New Jersey. The place where I almost died. My friends think I should get “hot and heavy” at the Jersey shore, but I just want to be able to perform again.
I didn’t anticipate meeting someone like Sean O’Neil, the owner of Moonlight Inn. He’s down-to-earth and kind, and when I’m with him, I feel unaccountably safe. His quiet encouragement helps me conquer my fears and get back in front of an audience.
As my confidence grows, the world I thought closed to me, opens once more. Word spreads of my return, and people from around the globe are asking me to play for them. At last, I can get back to doing what I love most.
But the luster of touring dulls when a tragedy in Sean’s life prevents him from joining me. Will I have to choose between the career I love and the man who holds my heart?
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 29, 2022
48 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
January 16, 2023
This is the author's first novel (at least in the M/M genre), and it's a strong debut.
While the book does deal with sensitive topics, including it doesn't feel heavy because the relationship between Jeremy, renowned concert pianist, and Sean, owner of an inn on the Jersey Shore, is unshakeable.
Jeremy and Sean fall for each other on sight. Jeremy dreams of the hot bartender with tattoos and green eyes, who turns out to be far more than a bartender.
Sean expects Jeremy to be a spoiled diva, but Jeremy is anything but. Recovering from a terrible auto accident caused by his vicious, vindictive ex (Pierce needed to take a long walk off a short pier), Jeremy has been hiding in shadows, afraid of playing in public.
Being with Sean awakens Jeremy's passion for music, which was always there, just hibernating. He begins to heal with Sean at his side. And he returns Sean's support tenfold when Sean's bother, Liam, is kidnapped working in a war zone with Doctors Without Borders.
The steam level is scorching hot. I prefer a slower burn, but the MCs do not wait to consume each other whole.
There were perhaps too many secondary characters introduced, but they acted and sounded distinct enough that I had no trouble telling them apart. I adored Evan, Jeremy's best friend, and his husband, Raphael.
I wish I could hear Jeremy play!
I definitely recommend this book and am excited that this is the first in a series.
Liam surely deserves a HEA next.
While the book does deal with sensitive topics, including it doesn't feel heavy because the relationship between Jeremy, renowned concert pianist, and Sean, owner of an inn on the Jersey Shore, is unshakeable.
Jeremy and Sean fall for each other on sight. Jeremy dreams of the hot bartender with tattoos and green eyes, who turns out to be far more than a bartender.
Sean expects Jeremy to be a spoiled diva, but Jeremy is anything but. Recovering from a terrible auto accident caused by his vicious, vindictive ex (Pierce needed to take a long walk off a short pier), Jeremy has been hiding in shadows, afraid of playing in public.
Being with Sean awakens Jeremy's passion for music, which was always there, just hibernating. He begins to heal with Sean at his side. And he returns Sean's support tenfold when Sean's bother, Liam, is kidnapped working in a war zone with Doctors Without Borders.
The steam level is scorching hot. I prefer a slower burn, but the MCs do not wait to consume each other whole.
There were perhaps too many secondary characters introduced, but they acted and sounded distinct enough that I had no trouble telling them apart. I adored Evan, Jeremy's best friend, and his husband, Raphael.
I wish I could hear Jeremy play!
I definitely recommend this book and am excited that this is the first in a series.
Liam surely deserves a HEA next.
April 16, 2025
A good book, not quite what I expected, and a few things that bothered me.
However, if you focus purely on the love relationship, it's beautiful.
What I missed was a proper build up at the beginning. The main characters are introduced and get to know each other one minute and the next they're hooking up. In principle, that's not a problem, but somehow it didn't feel quite smooth. It was written a bit stilted, in my opinion ...
What also bothered me a tiny bit was how Jeremy's vulnerability was handled at the beginning. I felt there was a lack of depth or that his trauma wasn't really present on the page. His struggles became more apparent later in the book, then everything fit in terms of hurt/comfort. Unfortunately, this was missing at the beginning and made the story a bit less plausible.
Anyway, if you can accept the first 50 pages of the book as less than perfect, then a beautiful love story unfolds. Quite a lot of sex, I have to say, but still very sweet and harmonious.
I really like the two MCs and even the many side characters.
For the traumas involved, it's quite a fluffy story, which suits me very well. However, some readers may find it annoying that every drama that creeps in here is immediately resolved. Bad things happen but the upturn is always around the corner.
Overall, it's kind of too much of everything, but it's well written and the thousands of things stuffed into the story are quick to read through.
A light read for in between.
But unfortunately not good enough to make me want to read the next book.
Sean was always touching me. Little touches, as if to let me know he was there. His arms felt so good around me that I never wanted him to let go. How much trouble was I in with this man? 🫠💞🫠
“He’s very lucky he didn’t touch you today.” Sean’s voice was a low rumble I’d never heard from him. Even when he’d advanced on Pierce, he seemed in control.
Now his body was tense, like a lion ready to pounce. It was the first time I got a real sense of the power he kept so well contained. It probably shouldn’t have been as hot as it was, but right then, I wanted to climb him like a tree. 😳🖤😳
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Minor spoilers probably ahead
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Content warnings: homophobia, car accident, injury, seclusion, suicide attempt, addiction, cold-hearted parents, asshole ex-boyfriend
Cheating between MCs: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
Kinks: cum play, rimming
However, if you focus purely on the love relationship, it's beautiful.
What I missed was a proper build up at the beginning. The main characters are introduced and get to know each other one minute and the next they're hooking up. In principle, that's not a problem, but somehow it didn't feel quite smooth. It was written a bit stilted, in my opinion ...
What also bothered me a tiny bit was how Jeremy's vulnerability was handled at the beginning. I felt there was a lack of depth or that his trauma wasn't really present on the page. His struggles became more apparent later in the book, then everything fit in terms of hurt/comfort. Unfortunately, this was missing at the beginning and made the story a bit less plausible.
Anyway, if you can accept the first 50 pages of the book as less than perfect, then a beautiful love story unfolds. Quite a lot of sex, I have to say, but still very sweet and harmonious.
I really like the two MCs and even the many side characters.
For the traumas involved, it's quite a fluffy story, which suits me very well. However, some readers may find it annoying that every drama that creeps in here is immediately resolved. Bad things happen but the upturn is always around the corner.
Overall, it's kind of too much of everything, but it's well written and the thousands of things stuffed into the story are quick to read through.
A light read for in between.
But unfortunately not good enough to make me want to read the next book.
Sean was always touching me. Little touches, as if to let me know he was there. His arms felt so good around me that I never wanted him to let go. How much trouble was I in with this man? 🫠💞🫠
“He’s very lucky he didn’t touch you today.” Sean’s voice was a low rumble I’d never heard from him. Even when he’d advanced on Pierce, he seemed in control.
Now his body was tense, like a lion ready to pounce. It was the first time I got a real sense of the power he kept so well contained. It probably shouldn’t have been as hot as it was, but right then, I wanted to climb him like a tree. 😳🖤😳
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Minor spoilers probably ahead
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Content warnings: homophobia, car accident, injury, seclusion, suicide attempt, addiction, cold-hearted parents, asshole ex-boyfriend
Cheating between MCs: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
Kinks: cum play, rimming
January 19, 2023
Where I live, it’s one or the other. You either go “down the beach” or “down the shore” and listen up, they aren’t the same thing. So, I thought it was pretty neat to see a series based on a locale I’m pretty familiar-ish with. I’m more of a “down the beach” girl but I’ve been to the shore.
This is the authors debut based on what I can see, and I enjoyed it mostly but I didn’t love it. It wasn’t the writing or the story per se; I liked the idea, set up of the story. I liked the setting. What just didn’t work for me was there was just too much.
I hate writing these sorts of reviews.
First, there were so many secondary characters and every single one of these was introduced as if we knew them; the couples, like they already had a book that I missed reading. So, I kept checking just to make sure I wasn’t reading a spin off. I can’t see that I was.
Second, there was just so much going on. I feel like the author had a checklist of all the various things that could happen within a romance and threw them all in. There was the getaway which was the main focus of the story which included recovery and mental health issues, where they meet. Then there was the trouble at the Inn due to hostility over the inheritance. There was a brother in a war zone. There was a horrible ex. There were even more horrible parents (and what is with this? I feel like the last handful of books I’ve read have had the worst parents). There was a whole side, side and even more side business with the bodyguard’s family. And add to all that, there was a homeless shelter in need of a miracle, children in need of the arts and a homophobic protest with some religion thrown in. It really felt like the author just wanted to cover all sorts of tropes in one book. Check, check, check. And of course, to lay the groundwork for things to come. It was enough to make me dizzy and pulled from the main focus of the book, Jeremy and Sean. And, this all happened in ONE MONTH!
Third, the music. Yes, I get that Jeremy’s circle would be musicians but the irony of all of Sean’s friends, Sean himself and that his brother were also all musicians was just a little hard to believe but very, very convenient.
And lastly, this was quick. I mean hours quick. I am not anti insta-love by any means. Sometimes it is the best, but here, I don’t know. I wish there had been just a little bit of a slower burn build up between the couple. I get their connection and that worked for me, I just didn’t like that it happened within hours of meeting each other and that was that. Easy peasy. And then, all that above. I just would have liked a more concentrated story focused on the couple.
So yeah, sorry. I didn’t love it but it did have stuff I enjoyed. I hope the next book is a little more couple driven since everything that can possibly happen already happened in this story. The couple looks like it will be interesting. For a debut though, not bad. I think I only found two editing errors, one of which wasn’t even in the actual story. I’ll probably read the next one and keep an eye on the author for new releases.
Thanks for the rec Dani! Don't be mad or sad!
This is the authors debut based on what I can see, and I enjoyed it mostly but I didn’t love it. It wasn’t the writing or the story per se; I liked the idea, set up of the story. I liked the setting. What just didn’t work for me was there was just too much.
I hate writing these sorts of reviews.
First, there were so many secondary characters and every single one of these was introduced as if we knew them; the couples, like they already had a book that I missed reading. So, I kept checking just to make sure I wasn’t reading a spin off. I can’t see that I was.
Second, there was just so much going on. I feel like the author had a checklist of all the various things that could happen within a romance and threw them all in. There was the getaway which was the main focus of the story which included recovery and mental health issues, where they meet. Then there was the trouble at the Inn due to hostility over the inheritance. There was a brother in a war zone. There was a horrible ex. There were even more horrible parents (and what is with this? I feel like the last handful of books I’ve read have had the worst parents). There was a whole side, side and even more side business with the bodyguard’s family. And add to all that, there was a homeless shelter in need of a miracle, children in need of the arts and a homophobic protest with some religion thrown in. It really felt like the author just wanted to cover all sorts of tropes in one book. Check, check, check. And of course, to lay the groundwork for things to come. It was enough to make me dizzy and pulled from the main focus of the book, Jeremy and Sean. And, this all happened in ONE MONTH!
Third, the music. Yes, I get that Jeremy’s circle would be musicians but the irony of all of Sean’s friends, Sean himself and that his brother were also all musicians was just a little hard to believe but very, very convenient.
And lastly, this was quick. I mean hours quick. I am not anti insta-love by any means. Sometimes it is the best, but here, I don’t know. I wish there had been just a little bit of a slower burn build up between the couple. I get their connection and that worked for me, I just didn’t like that it happened within hours of meeting each other and that was that. Easy peasy. And then, all that above. I just would have liked a more concentrated story focused on the couple.
So yeah, sorry. I didn’t love it but it did have stuff I enjoyed. I hope the next book is a little more couple driven since everything that can possibly happen already happened in this story. The couple looks like it will be interesting. For a debut though, not bad. I think I only found two editing errors, one of which wasn’t even in the actual story. I’ll probably read the next one and keep an eye on the author for new releases.
Thanks for the rec Dani! Don't be mad or sad!
September 28, 2023
4.5 stars
What a wonderful debut! Sean and Jeremy's love book has all the right parts to make me fall in love with their story: a broken man in his journey to heal, a protector who takes care of his loved one, a lovely setting, wonderful friends and family (the D'Angelo are amazing!) and the intense intimate connection.
Sean and Jeremy are so easy lo love, I really liked how their realtionship evolved: they thought they were just hooking up, but the soft kisses, the cute touches, the sweet talking gave them away immediately. From their very first encounter, there was no casual about their arrangement, but they immediately started to fall in love with each other. I adored that they were openly affectionate to one another and never hid their connection. And I adored that there was no miscommunication whatsoever between them.
I really really would have liked to see Pierce pay for what he did to Jeremy, he should have become food for sharks. Too bad he just walked away without a scratch.
Highly recommended.
What a wonderful debut! Sean and Jeremy's love book has all the right parts to make me fall in love with their story: a broken man in his journey to heal, a protector who takes care of his loved one, a lovely setting, wonderful friends and family (the D'Angelo are amazing!) and the intense intimate connection.
Sean and Jeremy are so easy lo love, I really liked how their realtionship evolved: they thought they were just hooking up, but the soft kisses, the cute touches, the sweet talking gave them away immediately. From their very first encounter, there was no casual about their arrangement, but they immediately started to fall in love with each other. I adored that they were openly affectionate to one another and never hid their connection. And I adored that there was no miscommunication whatsoever between them.
I really really would have liked to see Pierce pay for what he did to Jeremy, he should have become food for sharks. Too bad he just walked away without a scratch.
Highly recommended.
March 30, 2023
DNF @ 12%
This story deals with a lot of complex issues and that means I don't want to be distracted by writing issues while reading and unfortunately, the writing is so amateur that it was impossible for me to focus on what was happening.
Some of the writing issues included:
+ short, choppy sentences that lacked emotion
+ the usage of too many and too varied dialog tags
+ info dumps about nearly every side character's history and current status in life, which took place almost immediately after meeting the side character
+ awkwardly info dumping various things about the MCs histories in ways that interrupted the narrative and added to the overwhelming amount of info dumping that was happening
All of these problems are common with beginner writers and I could put up with some of these issues but not all of them.
To add to the messy feeling of the story - there was way too much happening here. The MCs come into the story with a huge amount of baggage with tons of stuff having happened to them over the last few years alone. Instead of slowly incorporating that information into the story as it was needed, the author info dumps all of it at the beginning. Then there are way too many characters (all of whom are named and get physical descriptions despite the majority not mattering at that point) and there's a lot happening with the MCs in the present and with other characters, which all led to a confusing mess.
Lastly, the MCs were supposed to be in the early 30s or late 20s (ironically, their ages is the only thing about them the author didn't info dump about at the beginning and it's the only fact I wanted to know) but they behaved like young adults. There was blushing, crying and gasping happening from both of them and I don't like such characterizations anyway but it added to the weird messy feeling of the story because that behavior didn't mesh with other character traits we were told about. Then one of the MCs does a random, unnecessary fourth-wall break where he informs readers that yes, he's wearing his Julliard sweater despite having graduated 10 years ago and he's really defensive about it and tells the readers to 'sue' him if they don't like it. I burst out laughing at that point because of how dumb that entire thing was. Is the guy supposed to be 14 years old?! It added to the immature feel of the writing, the story and the MC.
Speaking of the MCs - I was incredibly disappointed when their first meeting involves a huge dose of instalust from both sides. They don't know anything about each other but they're obsessing over how hot they find the other person and fantasizing about what they want to do with them. During the second ever interaction, one of the MCs shifts the warp speed romance into an even higher gear by claiming that he feels protective over the other MC, despite only having learned his name a few minutes ago. The whole thing was absurd, especially because the MCs had zero chemistry. It was a case where the author was telling readers instead of showing them what a strong connection the MCs had and that's not what I want in a romance.
Overall, due to these writing issues, I have zero faith that the author managed to pull off the very complex topics they wanted to tackle in this story so I'm going to pass on this one.
This story deals with a lot of complex issues and that means I don't want to be distracted by writing issues while reading and unfortunately, the writing is so amateur that it was impossible for me to focus on what was happening.
Some of the writing issues included:
+ short, choppy sentences that lacked emotion
+ the usage of too many and too varied dialog tags
+ info dumps about nearly every side character's history and current status in life, which took place almost immediately after meeting the side character
+ awkwardly info dumping various things about the MCs histories in ways that interrupted the narrative and added to the overwhelming amount of info dumping that was happening
All of these problems are common with beginner writers and I could put up with some of these issues but not all of them.
To add to the messy feeling of the story - there was way too much happening here. The MCs come into the story with a huge amount of baggage with tons of stuff having happened to them over the last few years alone. Instead of slowly incorporating that information into the story as it was needed, the author info dumps all of it at the beginning. Then there are way too many characters (all of whom are named and get physical descriptions despite the majority not mattering at that point) and there's a lot happening with the MCs in the present and with other characters, which all led to a confusing mess.
Lastly, the MCs were supposed to be in the early 30s or late 20s (ironically, their ages is the only thing about them the author didn't info dump about at the beginning and it's the only fact I wanted to know) but they behaved like young adults. There was blushing, crying and gasping happening from both of them and I don't like such characterizations anyway but it added to the weird messy feeling of the story because that behavior didn't mesh with other character traits we were told about. Then one of the MCs does a random, unnecessary fourth-wall break where he informs readers that yes, he's wearing his Julliard sweater despite having graduated 10 years ago and he's really defensive about it and tells the readers to 'sue' him if they don't like it. I burst out laughing at that point because of how dumb that entire thing was. Is the guy supposed to be 14 years old?! It added to the immature feel of the writing, the story and the MC.
Speaking of the MCs - I was incredibly disappointed when their first meeting involves a huge dose of instalust from both sides. They don't know anything about each other but they're obsessing over how hot they find the other person and fantasizing about what they want to do with them. During the second ever interaction, one of the MCs shifts the warp speed romance into an even higher gear by claiming that he feels protective over the other MC, despite only having learned his name a few minutes ago. The whole thing was absurd, especially because the MCs had zero chemistry. It was a case where the author was telling readers instead of showing them what a strong connection the MCs had and that's not what I want in a romance.
Overall, due to these writing issues, I have zero faith that the author managed to pull off the very complex topics they wanted to tackle in this story so I'm going to pass on this one.
December 29, 2022
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What a fantastic debut novel by Evie McGlynn. I didn’t want to put this one down, I only did because…life….but in the end, I stayed up till 1:30 in the morning to finish it!
It was soft and beautiful and redemptive, full of love and kindness, but it also had external drama and suspense. It was the perfect combination and it kept me engaged the whole way through. It helps that both the MCs where great people who you wanted to see get their second chances and find success. And most of all you wanted them to get their safe place with each other. A place where they find love and happiness in all parts of their lives.
You also stuck around to see the horrible people get the comeuppance. And the friends…there were so many amazing friends, family, and associates. I want all their stories and happy ever afters, and if we get to catch glimpses of Sean and Jeremy along the way…oh well!
Seriously, so glad I got to read this first book of hopefully many.
What a fantastic debut novel by Evie McGlynn. I didn’t want to put this one down, I only did because…life….but in the end, I stayed up till 1:30 in the morning to finish it!
It was soft and beautiful and redemptive, full of love and kindness, but it also had external drama and suspense. It was the perfect combination and it kept me engaged the whole way through. It helps that both the MCs where great people who you wanted to see get their second chances and find success. And most of all you wanted them to get their safe place with each other. A place where they find love and happiness in all parts of their lives.
You also stuck around to see the horrible people get the comeuppance. And the friends…there were so many amazing friends, family, and associates. I want all their stories and happy ever afters, and if we get to catch glimpses of Sean and Jeremy along the way…oh well!
Seriously, so glad I got to read this first book of hopefully many.
September 13, 2023
Nice people exist, and it's great to see them in fiction, too!
Although this author's style isn't perfect for me (a little too wordy, some repetition), and I skimmed all the very typical sex scenes (what a time-saver!), the characters and the plot hooked me. Even though the ending is totally schmoopy, I'm glad I read it.
Although this author's style isn't perfect for me (a little too wordy, some repetition), and I skimmed all the very typical sex scenes (what a time-saver!), the characters and the plot hooked me. Even though the ending is totally schmoopy, I'm glad I read it.
December 31, 2022
Bravo! Encore!
It's hard to believe this is Evie McGlynn's debut novel. It's mature, polished, and thoroughly entertaining. I was drawn in from the first page. The story is paced well, and the characters easy to love. I am hoping for a follow-up featuring Sean's brother Liam.
Highly recommend!
It's hard to believe this is Evie McGlynn's debut novel. It's mature, polished, and thoroughly entertaining. I was drawn in from the first page. The story is paced well, and the characters easy to love. I am hoping for a follow-up featuring Sean's brother Liam.
Highly recommend!
December 29, 2022
Fabulous Story
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this one but what I got was a fabulously endearing story. While Sean and Jeremy quickly go from strangers to much more, it still makes for good reading. The tone of the story does change near the end but it still works well with what has previously happened. I highly recommend this one.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this one but what I got was a fabulously endearing story. While Sean and Jeremy quickly go from strangers to much more, it still makes for good reading. The tone of the story does change near the end but it still works well with what has previously happened. I highly recommend this one.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
March 23, 2023
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I loved this one! Much more than expected, and this author def became a must read for me, I just hope for her next books to be as good as this one was.
Color me surprised every time a fast-paced romance charms me. But this one did.
We have Jeremy, a renowned pianist, and Sean, the owner of a boutique hotel that's hosting Jeremy's best friend's wedding.
Jeremy is trying to get better after a car crash nearly ended his career... and his life. He's suffering from panic attacks and he's not able to play the piano in from of big crowds anymore. But he will try for Evan's (his friend) wedding day.
The wedding will be hosted in Moonlight Inn, and Evan convinces Jeremy to spend there the month previous to the wedding so he gets out of his confort place. And although Jeremy is not convinced it will be a good idea, when he gets there and meets Sean everything changes.
I loved the two together from the very beginning. Their first encounter was cute, charming and swoony. And those adjectives can be used to describe them across the whole book. There's something in the way they feel for each other, how enthralled they both are and how wholesome they feel that made me fall for them instantly. It was instalove for me!!
Reading from Sean's POV about how cute he finds Jeremy was heart-warming and stomach fluttering. There's something beautiful at how endearing he finds him, and how much he loves to see him blush. And same happens with Jeremy. He didn't think he was ready to meet someone, but Sean it's it for him and even if he doesn't understand how safe and confortable he feel with the other man (a complete stranger), he doesn't resist.
And there's something captivating in the way thing flow between them. Things are just easy with them, low drama and just sexy, steamy and romantic. They themselves can't understand how they feel after such a short time, but you can't help but don't mind that they have known for barely a day, a week, a month or a year, because you already love them together and they MAKES SENSE. It doesn't feel forced. At all.
The romance is low drama, but there's drama in the story. To certain point. Jeremy is overcoming some traumas, and we have horrible exes and a complot to boycott Sean's hotel that will have the plot running at the same time we see them falling in love. This means there's something happening all the time and you don't have time to get bored.
Also, I loved Evie's writing style. It was good, neat and straightforward. She know how to deliver each character's feelings and her style felt professional (for the lack of a better word). I don't know how to explain this, I guess there are some authors whose style is colloquial (?). And it's good and sometimes it can be refreshing, but too much colloquial can be sometimes detrimental, too. Or that's what I think. This felt well written, fresh and polished.
I can't wait to read more of her books. Must check if she has anything more published, and if not well, I will have to wait for more books to come out, since I'm dying to know what will be of the characters we met her (obvs next book will be about Liam, but I hope there will be a book for each D'Angelo brother!!).
I loved this one! Much more than expected, and this author def became a must read for me, I just hope for her next books to be as good as this one was.
Color me surprised every time a fast-paced romance charms me. But this one did.
We have Jeremy, a renowned pianist, and Sean, the owner of a boutique hotel that's hosting Jeremy's best friend's wedding.
Jeremy is trying to get better after a car crash nearly ended his career... and his life. He's suffering from panic attacks and he's not able to play the piano in from of big crowds anymore. But he will try for Evan's (his friend) wedding day.
The wedding will be hosted in Moonlight Inn, and Evan convinces Jeremy to spend there the month previous to the wedding so he gets out of his confort place. And although Jeremy is not convinced it will be a good idea, when he gets there and meets Sean everything changes.
I loved the two together from the very beginning. Their first encounter was cute, charming and swoony. And those adjectives can be used to describe them across the whole book. There's something in the way they feel for each other, how enthralled they both are and how wholesome they feel that made me fall for them instantly. It was instalove for me!!
Reading from Sean's POV about how cute he finds Jeremy was heart-warming and stomach fluttering. There's something beautiful at how endearing he finds him, and how much he loves to see him blush. And same happens with Jeremy. He didn't think he was ready to meet someone, but Sean it's it for him and even if he doesn't understand how safe and confortable he feel with the other man (a complete stranger), he doesn't resist.
And there's something captivating in the way thing flow between them. Things are just easy with them, low drama and just sexy, steamy and romantic. They themselves can't understand how they feel after such a short time, but you can't help but don't mind that they have known for barely a day, a week, a month or a year, because you already love them together and they MAKES SENSE. It doesn't feel forced. At all.
The romance is low drama, but there's drama in the story. To certain point. Jeremy is overcoming some traumas, and we have horrible exes and a complot to boycott Sean's hotel that will have the plot running at the same time we see them falling in love. This means there's something happening all the time and you don't have time to get bored.
Also, I loved Evie's writing style. It was good, neat and straightforward. She know how to deliver each character's feelings and her style felt professional (for the lack of a better word). I don't know how to explain this, I guess there are some authors whose style is colloquial (?). And it's good and sometimes it can be refreshing, but too much colloquial can be sometimes detrimental, too. Or that's what I think. This felt well written, fresh and polished.
I can't wait to read more of her books. Must check if she has anything more published, and if not well, I will have to wait for more books to come out, since I'm dying to know what will be of the characters we met her (obvs next book will be about Liam, but I hope there will be a book for each D'Angelo brother!!).
August 10, 2024
Możecie mnie zastrzelić, ale ja czytałam chyba inną książkę, niż cała reszta 👀
Po blurbie spodziewałam się zupełnie czegoś innego - trudnej podróży do bycia ponownie sobą, albo odkrycia, kim się jest naprawdę. Wychodzenia z depresji, walki z samym sobą, spotkania bratniej duszy i drugiej połówki, uwierzenia ponownie w siebie, a wszystko to będzie się spokojnie i po cichu rozwijać. Miłości, której się nie spodziewasz, w miejscu, do którego nie chciałeś jechać. No nie wiem - czegoś w tych klimatach w każdym razie. A co dostałam?
🔴 Insta-love i to tak błyskawiczną, że oczy przecierałam ze zdumienia. Nasi panowie poczuli chemię w okamgnieniu i po tym, jak porozmawiali ze sobą może z 5-10 minut w sumie (na dwa razy), wylądowali od razu w łóżku. Po niecałej dobie mieli już serduszka w oczach i zachowywali się jak para podczas miesiąca miodowego.
🔴 Słodycz w takiej ilości, która może prowadzić do odurzenia.
🔴 I dramę za dramą 👀 Czego my tutaj nie mieliśmy: Ufff... pewnie o czymś zapomniałam 😜
🔴 Dramy pojawiały się jak grzyby po deszczu, ale najlepszy był zawsze sposób ich rozwiązania. Zawsze znalazł się ktoś, kto miał pomysł, jak to zrobić, albo miał przyjaciół/rodzinę/znajomości, które natychmiast wszystko pozwalały rozwiązać. Problem? I po problemie! Po co się rozdrabniać i ciągnąć coś dłużej - lepiej wrzucić kolejną dramę do błyskawicznego rozwiązania 😜
🔴 Praktycznie wszyscy byli bardzo dobrymi ludźmi, słodkimi, uroczymi, zamartwiali się w odpowiednim miejscu, dawali najlepsze rady w odpowiedniej chwili, chwalili, kiedy była taka potrzeba. A jeżeli ktoś był już zły, to był ZŁY. Zapomnijcie o odcieniach szarości, bo w tym świecie nie istnieją 😉
🔴 Niezmiernie wygodnie okazało się, że wszyscy w rodzinie Seana, jak i jego najbliżsi przyjaciele, są w taki czy inny sposób związani z muzyką - zatem wszyscy mogli spokojnie zrobić odpowiednie ochy i achy, jak się dowiadywali, że Jeremy jest TYM Jeremym, najlepszym i najbardziej pożądanym pianistą na świecie. Tylko Sean nie rozpoznał go, ale on jest usprawiedliwiony - w końcu tylko tak sobie śpiewał, jak był młodszy, a teraz ma biznes na głowie 😉
🔴 Mogłabym tak dużo dłużej, ale już mi się nie chce 😉
Rozczarowanie to jest mało powiedziane - myślałam, że nie dotrwam do końca i że oczy mi wypadną od przewracania. Naprawdę miałam nadzieję, że ten tytuł przełamie moją złą passę, ale nie 😞 Choć patrząc znowu na oceny innych, chyba ponownie powinnam dodać: To ja, nie książka 😁
Po blurbie spodziewałam się zupełnie czegoś innego - trudnej podróży do bycia ponownie sobą, albo odkrycia, kim się jest naprawdę. Wychodzenia z depresji, walki z samym sobą, spotkania bratniej duszy i drugiej połówki, uwierzenia ponownie w siebie, a wszystko to będzie się spokojnie i po cichu rozwijać. Miłości, której się nie spodziewasz, w miejscu, do którego nie chciałeś jechać. No nie wiem - czegoś w tych klimatach w każdym razie. A co dostałam?
🔴 Insta-love i to tak błyskawiczną, że oczy przecierałam ze zdumienia. Nasi panowie poczuli chemię w okamgnieniu i po tym, jak porozmawiali ze sobą może z 5-10 minut w sumie (na dwa razy), wylądowali od razu w łóżku. Po niecałej dobie mieli już serduszka w oczach i zachowywali się jak para podczas miesiąca miodowego.
🔴 Słodycz w takiej ilości, która może prowadzić do odurzenia.
🔴 I dramę za dramą 👀 Czego my tutaj nie mieliśmy: Ufff... pewnie o czymś zapomniałam 😜
🔴 Dramy pojawiały się jak grzyby po deszczu, ale najlepszy był zawsze sposób ich rozwiązania. Zawsze znalazł się ktoś, kto miał pomysł, jak to zrobić, albo miał przyjaciół/rodzinę/znajomości, które natychmiast wszystko pozwalały rozwiązać. Problem? I po problemie! Po co się rozdrabniać i ciągnąć coś dłużej - lepiej wrzucić kolejną dramę do błyskawicznego rozwiązania 😜
🔴 Praktycznie wszyscy byli bardzo dobrymi ludźmi, słodkimi, uroczymi, zamartwiali się w odpowiednim miejscu, dawali najlepsze rady w odpowiedniej chwili, chwalili, kiedy była taka potrzeba. A jeżeli ktoś był już zły, to był ZŁY. Zapomnijcie o odcieniach szarości, bo w tym świecie nie istnieją 😉
🔴 Niezmiernie wygodnie okazało się, że wszyscy w rodzinie Seana, jak i jego najbliżsi przyjaciele, są w taki czy inny sposób związani z muzyką - zatem wszyscy mogli spokojnie zrobić odpowiednie ochy i achy, jak się dowiadywali, że Jeremy jest TYM Jeremym, najlepszym i najbardziej pożądanym pianistą na świecie. Tylko Sean nie rozpoznał go, ale on jest usprawiedliwiony - w końcu tylko tak sobie śpiewał, jak był młodszy, a teraz ma biznes na głowie 😉
🔴 Mogłabym tak dużo dłużej, ale już mi się nie chce 😉
Rozczarowanie to jest mało powiedziane - myślałam, że nie dotrwam do końca i że oczy mi wypadną od przewracania. Naprawdę miałam nadzieję, że ten tytuł przełamie moją złą passę, ale nie 😞 Choć patrząc znowu na oceny innych, chyba ponownie powinnam dodać: To ja, nie książka 😁
December 29, 2022
** I received a copy of this book for an honest opinion. **
When I saw the blurb for the first time, I was hooked. Although, to be honest, I was also a bit afraid to read a story written by a debut author (especially since the last one was far from perfect). Fortunately, Evie McGlynn delivered a beautiful tale - both familiar and exciting. And worth staying up till 1:30 AM to finish it. If this is a debut, I can't wait to see what else is hidden inside the author's mind.
The story of Jeremy and Sean was soft and full of tender moments. It was a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Both MCs were amazing people who deserved a second chance at happiness. And although there was a bit of insta-attraction, it was written in a rather believable way. It also helped that both of them were self-aware of the abruptness of their feelings.
Things I enjoyed the most:
◽ all scenes between Sean and Jeremy,
◽ no silly miscommunication - there was some conflict, but it was an external one (),
◽ amazing and supportive friends,
◽ confident female characters,
◽ adults behaving like adults,
◽ realistic emotions,
◽ and music (I listened to compositions mentioned in the book).
Reading Moonlight was like lying under a warm blanket on a cold day. And I was disappointed when I reached the last page. There was a hint of a possible continuation with a different couple. And I'm all for it - I hope that it wasn't our only meeting with Moonlight Inn.
When I saw the blurb for the first time, I was hooked. Although, to be honest, I was also a bit afraid to read a story written by a debut author (especially since the last one was far from perfect). Fortunately, Evie McGlynn delivered a beautiful tale - both familiar and exciting. And worth staying up till 1:30 AM to finish it. If this is a debut, I can't wait to see what else is hidden inside the author's mind.
The story of Jeremy and Sean was soft and full of tender moments. It was a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Both MCs were amazing people who deserved a second chance at happiness. And although there was a bit of insta-attraction, it was written in a rather believable way. It also helped that both of them were self-aware of the abruptness of their feelings.
Things I enjoyed the most:
◽ all scenes between Sean and Jeremy,
◽ no silly miscommunication - there was some conflict, but it was an external one (),
◽ amazing and supportive friends,
◽ confident female characters,
◽ adults behaving like adults,
◽ realistic emotions,
◽ and music (I listened to compositions mentioned in the book).
Reading Moonlight was like lying under a warm blanket on a cold day. And I was disappointed when I reached the last page. There was a hint of a possible continuation with a different couple. And I'm all for it - I hope that it wasn't our only meeting with Moonlight Inn.
January 19, 2023
Jeremy is a world famous pianist, who has a difficult time returning to the stage after an accident caused by his ex boyfriend. Sean is the owner of a boutique hotel where Jeremy is supposed to play for his best friends wedding.
To get acquainted with the venue and ease into going back on stage he arrives a few weeks before the wedding to spend some time at the hotel.
After meeting Sean it is more or less love at first sight, those two are very sure about each other and their love never waivers.
To make the book more interesting a lot of (outside) drama is thrown in, some of it fitting the story, but unfortunately a lot just for the purpose to keep the story going.
Most of these incidents are solved as fast as they keep popping up, completely unnecessary drama with the ex boyfriend, scary kidnapping, hate crimes, threats to Sean trying to steal the hotel from him, Jeremy going back on stage, having to travel for concerts alone... All blown up to great proportions and then immediately solved again.
On the one hand this did keep the story interesting, but for my taste it was too much.
There was not much character development, so the main characters were sweet and madly in love, but the HEA was delayed by one catastrophic event after the other.
Honestly, I considered to dnf but was too curious for the ending, all in all this was an average 3 star story for me.
To get acquainted with the venue and ease into going back on stage he arrives a few weeks before the wedding to spend some time at the hotel.
After meeting Sean it is more or less love at first sight, those two are very sure about each other and their love never waivers.
To make the book more interesting a lot of (outside) drama is thrown in, some of it fitting the story, but unfortunately a lot just for the purpose to keep the story going.
Most of these incidents are solved as fast as they keep popping up, completely unnecessary drama with the ex boyfriend, scary kidnapping, hate crimes, threats to Sean trying to steal the hotel from him, Jeremy going back on stage, having to travel for concerts alone... All blown up to great proportions and then immediately solved again.
On the one hand this did keep the story interesting, but for my taste it was too much.
There was not much character development, so the main characters were sweet and madly in love, but the HEA was delayed by one catastrophic event after the other.
Honestly, I considered to dnf but was too curious for the ending, all in all this was an average 3 star story for me.
December 25, 2022
WOW! An absolutely amazing story! 5 stars just isn’t enough! If this is the kind of work this new author is going to put out then I look for her to have a long career! This book was absolutely amazing! The story was very well written with a fabulous storyline that has all the feels! It just pulls you in and keeps you totally captivated! All the characters are fantastic and you really feel like you know them personally! So many wonderful people that you just want their stories next while you’re already enjoying the main couple now! I truly enjoyed this book immensely and am very excited to read more from this author! Please give us Marcus and Liam’s story! Kudos to this brilliant author’s debut! I very highly recommend but please read trigger warnings! I am voluntarily leaving an honest review for this complimentary copy of this book
January 18, 2023
4.25/5
March 22, 2023
This book is good and I really enjoyed it! After you read this review, you might doubt that but it's true! I really enjoyed Sean and Jeremy and for most of what I'm going to say next, I really got a kick out of it and found it amusing, not bothersome. So here we go!
This book is jam packed full of all the things. First off, Sean and Jeremy jump right to it, getting hot and heavy in their first meeting. It was a little too much, too soon for me and that's really the only complaint I have about the book - I do prefer starting with more of an emotional connection. But they get there so it's all good!
As for all the things I mentioned earlier... I kid you not, this book has (I'll hide a few that happen in the second half with a spoiler tag) recovering addiction, an angry inheritance situation, many professional musicians, a bitter ex boyfriend, creepy older guy infatuation, tons of sex, and a romantic love story. I also felt like the groundwork was laid for about 5 spin offs with side characters. TRULY you all - I am not exaggerating and I'm sure I'm missing a few things! And while I am poking a little fun at this because it did feel like the author was like, "Hey, if I only end up getting one shot at this book writing thing, I'm going to get it all in there!!" I actually genuinely enjoyed 95% of what I mentioned. A lot of drama without too much angst - all good with me! So I am in no way making a complaint about this book with all of that - it was actually a bit humorous to me and I kind of loved it! I found I was waiting with each page turn to see what was next around the corner!
So if you sometimes get bored with books, no worries about that here! Give this one a try and I'll be surprised if you get a chance to get bored with all that's happening!
This book is jam packed full of all the things. First off, Sean and Jeremy jump right to it, getting hot and heavy in their first meeting. It was a little too much, too soon for me and that's really the only complaint I have about the book - I do prefer starting with more of an emotional connection. But they get there so it's all good!
As for all the things I mentioned earlier... I kid you not, this book has (I'll hide a few that happen in the second half with a spoiler tag) recovering addiction, an angry inheritance situation, many professional musicians, a bitter ex boyfriend, creepy older guy infatuation, tons of sex, and a romantic love story. I also felt like the groundwork was laid for about 5 spin offs with side characters. TRULY you all - I am not exaggerating and I'm sure I'm missing a few things! And while I am poking a little fun at this because it did feel like the author was like, "Hey, if I only end up getting one shot at this book writing thing, I'm going to get it all in there!!" I actually genuinely enjoyed 95% of what I mentioned. A lot of drama without too much angst - all good with me! So I am in no way making a complaint about this book with all of that - it was actually a bit humorous to me and I kind of loved it! I found I was waiting with each page turn to see what was next around the corner!
So if you sometimes get bored with books, no worries about that here! Give this one a try and I'll be surprised if you get a chance to get bored with all that's happening!
January 1, 2023
This author is new to me, that’s because this book is her debut MM and it’s a great one! I love it when you find a new author that gives you a great first book, I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.
There is a content warning please read.
Jeremy is an award winning concert pianist, when his world comes crashing down around him literally, we see him struggle to get back on his feet whilst fighting off his ex. His friends decide he needs a break away and send him off to the Moonlight inn to help him get some much needed time out and to try and get back on his feet.
Sean and his brother inherited the Moonlight inn from the owner who passed away, he’s been running the place well whilst his brother is away as a nurse in a war torn county, he worries about him constantly but the inn has always been his baby since he worked there with his dad from a young age. He has a new arrival coming, a celebrity in the music world who’s staying for a month, he just hopes he won’t be a pain in the backside!
This was a great read, it’s got past trauma that Jeremy is trying to work though, you see him try to overcome it with the help of Sean who is kind and caring. I love seeing the confidence in broken men rise to the top.
The spice hits early and I’m here for it! It has one of my favourite spicy bedroom activities! 🍑😛
I also liked that the piano pieces were mentioned so I could look them up and listen while I read, I love putting music to books and this helped me connect even more with the story.
I can’t wait to see what Evie writes next.
This has
Hurt/comfort
Trauma
Music celebrity
Spicy times
Found family
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
There is a content warning please read.
Jeremy is an award winning concert pianist, when his world comes crashing down around him literally, we see him struggle to get back on his feet whilst fighting off his ex. His friends decide he needs a break away and send him off to the Moonlight inn to help him get some much needed time out and to try and get back on his feet.
Sean and his brother inherited the Moonlight inn from the owner who passed away, he’s been running the place well whilst his brother is away as a nurse in a war torn county, he worries about him constantly but the inn has always been his baby since he worked there with his dad from a young age. He has a new arrival coming, a celebrity in the music world who’s staying for a month, he just hopes he won’t be a pain in the backside!
This was a great read, it’s got past trauma that Jeremy is trying to work though, you see him try to overcome it with the help of Sean who is kind and caring. I love seeing the confidence in broken men rise to the top.
The spice hits early and I’m here for it! It has one of my favourite spicy bedroom activities! 🍑😛
I also liked that the piano pieces were mentioned so I could look them up and listen while I read, I love putting music to books and this helped me connect even more with the story.
I can’t wait to see what Evie writes next.
This has
Hurt/comfort
Trauma
Music celebrity
Spicy times
Found family
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
March 10, 2023
The prologue gives us the 'what happened before' information so we know that Jeremy has been through a lot. Sean and Jeremy hit it off straight away and things get going early on. They are exclusively hooking up whilst Jeremy stays at the inn, although exclusivity and their actual relationship hasn't been discussed they just fall into a rhythm. They make music together, literally speaking, and the intimate scenes are steamy and well written. Insatiable for each other; everything is almost too perfect between them. I was expecting more angst to cause a crack in their path but that twist didn't happen. . There is an ex and other past aqaintences that cause a rumble but this story is just about two men finding love when they least expected to find it and life becoming fantastic. The piano music adds a certain sophistication and definitely adds to the narrative. I am really hoping Liam gets a story with a certain person; there is definitely a good story brewing.
February 26, 2023
What an amazingly wonderful debut novel by Evie McGlynn!
Jeremy and Sean were beautiful together. Plenty of steam *fans self * and I love how they hit it off right away. It was super sweet how they were instinctively there for each other at just the right moments.
A definite thumbs up for all the musical references for Jeremy, the concert pianist putting his life back together after a serious car accident and subsequent problems prevented him from performing for over a year.
Side notes:
* I could hear the music in my head as it was described in his performances.
* An excellent supporting cast characters leave plenty of possibilities for subsequent stories - Marco & Liam - Raphael and Evan… Tony and ???, Miguel and ???
I can’t wait for McGlynn’s next book!
Jeremy and Sean were beautiful together. Plenty of steam *fans self * and I love how they hit it off right away. It was super sweet how they were instinctively there for each other at just the right moments.
A definite thumbs up for all the musical references for Jeremy, the concert pianist putting his life back together after a serious car accident and subsequent problems prevented him from performing for over a year.
Side notes:
* I could hear the music in my head as it was described in his performances.
* An excellent supporting cast characters leave plenty of possibilities for subsequent stories - Marco & Liam - Raphael and Evan… Tony and ???, Miguel and ???
I can’t wait for McGlynn’s next book!
December 29, 2022
I love finding debut authors! Luckily our team is connected to some wonderful PA's and that makes it easy to discover authors like Evie McGlynn! I thoroughly enjoyed Moonlight from first to last page - it had an excellent balance of storytelling, heat, sweet and didn't rely on a relationship crisis, giving us a believable external life event that was the catalyst for the touch of relationship angst...
Congratulations on a beautifully written and well edited first novel. I'm looking forward to reading this author's next trip Down the Shore!
Congratulations on a beautifully written and well edited first novel. I'm looking forward to reading this author's next trip Down the Shore!
January 1, 2023
Moonlight is the first in Evie McGlynn’s Down the Shore series. Jeremy was once the best of the best concert pianist, until an accident about destroys him. Sean has inherited Moonlight Inn, but the deceased owners’ relatives have a serious problem with that. I seriously loved this story. First page to the last kept me captivated and flipping the pages. It was sweet and steamy, and had my heart in knots, so many wonderful emotions. Well balanced drama, a story that is well written and fantastic pacing make this a fantastic debut story from a new to me author.
May 26, 2025
Love's language...
Moonlight was beautifully written, just like the evening sky with all its twinkling lights and stars, and the moonlight reflecting off the water.
I went about this a little backwards, having started with Fallen Angel so I'd already been exposed to the characters, so now I was getting the stories of those couples.
Moonlight focuses on Jeremy, a renowned pianist, struggling to return to what he loves most: playing for an audience. Sean is the owner/manager of a boutique hotel along the Jersey Shore. As a former native of the area, this was so much fun to read and recall some of the towns and places. The story unfolds over about a year as their relationship Blossoms and grows.
KU, contemporary, book in a series, musicians, hotel employment.
Moonlight was beautifully written, just like the evening sky with all its twinkling lights and stars, and the moonlight reflecting off the water.
I went about this a little backwards, having started with Fallen Angel so I'd already been exposed to the characters, so now I was getting the stories of those couples.
Moonlight focuses on Jeremy, a renowned pianist, struggling to return to what he loves most: playing for an audience. Sean is the owner/manager of a boutique hotel along the Jersey Shore. As a former native of the area, this was so much fun to read and recall some of the towns and places. The story unfolds over about a year as their relationship Blossoms and grows.
KU, contemporary, book in a series, musicians, hotel employment.
July 8, 2023
got boring and too insta love
November 8, 2023
DNF: 12%
Just not a big fan of sex at first sight without build-up.
Just not a big fan of sex at first sight without build-up.
November 16, 2023
I love a happily ever after
With trials and tribulations for both main characters , Jeremy and Sean were perfect for each other. Evie McGlynn is an excellent writer and one I will be following for a long time. Steamy sex, strong secondary characters who will undoubtedly get their own stories in the future. Five stars!!! Chef’s kiss.
With trials and tribulations for both main characters , Jeremy and Sean were perfect for each other. Evie McGlynn is an excellent writer and one I will be following for a long time. Steamy sex, strong secondary characters who will undoubtedly get their own stories in the future. Five stars!!! Chef’s kiss.
March 20, 2023
The cobalt-blue piece was cool against my palm. It was roughly the size of a quarter, its once sharp edges smoothed by months or even years of being tossed through waves and sand. I rubbed my thumb over its opaque surface, feeling some kinship to the little piece of glass— tossed around in the world, changed, remade, but still here. — Jeremy Fitzgerald
Warnings: In the author's words "One MC is in recovery for addiction. There is also a description of a past suicide attempt. There is one instance of a homophobic slur written on page." I will add to this that there is a past sexual assault.
Moonlight is so easy to fall into. Once I started reading I found it exceptionally difficult to stop. Jeremy is such a sweet soul. Sean is gorgeous inside and out. Their chemistry is electric, I didn't expect them to fall into bed as fast as they did nor for them to form such an easy bond. They have this instant connection beyond the physical. They do burn up the sheets, don't get me wrong, but there is so much more to them than that from the very start. Much of the tension of the story that in other stories often comes from within the relationship comes from without. Jeremy and Sean are solid from start to finish, there are pressures on them from the past and just good old-fashioned homophobia. It is pleasing to read someone writing something a bit different and sticking the landing.
Jeremy Fitzgerald is a famous pianist on break from live performance after a car accident, panic attacks and addiction. He has an undeniable sweetness to him, and his talent is undeniable but to a degree, he doesn't know how to be him. Jeremy promised his best friend, Evan, that he would perform at Evan's upcoming wedding on the Jersey Shore. After consulting with Jeremy's therapist Evan hires him in a hotel room for 4 weeks to get him out of his comfort zone and to hopefully able to perform in front of crowds again. Enter the Moonlight Inn and owner Sean O'Neill. Sean inherited the Moonlight Inn from a man who respected him and his talents. Openly gay and comfortable in his own skin, he is good at what he does running his business and making people comfortable. Sean has this Irish charm to him. He is drawn to Jeremy and his air of sadness from the first time he sees him, fully not knowing who Jeremy is. One of the funnier lines is "I think I’m being punked." this is Sean upon meeting yet another person in his social circle who knows who Jeremy is. Despite Liam, the brother Sean is very close to, being a talented pianist Sean has no idea who he is. But everyone else does. It is just lovely to see Jeremy get happiness with a man who has absolutely no interest in his money. I don't really want to talk about them suffice to say I adore them, they made me all gooey inside. There is something of a soulmate, there you are, where have you been all my life vibe to Jeremy Fitzgerald and Sean O'Neill's relationship. It works well, better for them than any other pair I've ever read trying to use the same trope (?) and they do acknowledge the oddness of their connection.
The supporting cast is quite extensive. I'm going to mention the antagonists first. Firstly, Pierce is a massive issue, well written, but an issue. He is introduced in the prologue and even if you think he may be redeemable from the scenes at the outset you will likely be disillusioned rather quickly. Pierce was horrible. He sexually assaulted Jeremy at least once which we are told of. He was an abuser if not physically certainly, emotionally and psychologically. But I felt he was necessary, it was important to see a look at the life Jeremy it expected to leave and to see the human ghosts in his past. The antagonists applicable to Sean are also written in a decent way, playing with the idea of the rich wanting to get richer and the little rich boy not wanting to take no for an answer.
There is so much love, joy and beauty in the friends and family around Sean and Jeremy. Jeremy is largely supported by his found family. His bodyguard Tony and his large intimidating family, his best friend Cellist Evan Williams and Evan's fiance Raphael Alvarez, also Jeremy's lawyer. They are a very small circle but the group are fiercely protective of Jeremy. The only people who know about Jeremy's overdose attempt are Evan and Raphael. Tony is a friend as well as an employee, if you see the title Piano Man on amazon review Tony is why that is his nickname for Jeremy. I like the teasing fun relationship that Evan has with Jeremy, it is through him that we get insight into how Sean is changing Jeremy for the better, healing him. Evan is a brilliant way to develop emotion. Sean has his mother, Moira and younger brother, Liam and the staff of the Moonlight Inn, specifically Caitlin Barnes. We also spend time around some of his friends from high school, also musicians, and Caitlin's daughter, the absolutely adorable Maya. I love Moira she makes me smile, she is so supportive of her boys despite being scared for the safety of her youngest. Caitlin is so caring, treating Sean as something of a brother, and having nothing but respect for him. Sean has a fantastic support system but we spent more time with Jeremy and his healing.
Moonlight is Evie McGlynn's first novel. It doesn't feel like it should be. It is well written, balances characters and plot well and takes a risk in the plot development that most authors wouldn't dare. I found it to be very readable and will certainly read more when she publishes more. The second story is already set up, likely to pick up about 90% of the way through this one, with main characters Marco D'Angelo and Liam O'Neill. Liam has proved himself to be a poor liar though that could just be because Sean knows him too well. Marco is the ultimate protector. I spotted at least one more MC in here. Miguel, now working as a manager for Sean and maybe one other though there was never much said on his sexual identity. Finally, Moonlight has such a lovely and well-constructed cover. I like the focus on the piano, including an actual background and the vaguely concerned face on the model. It's just appealing. And compliments the blurb greatly. Just a massive shout out to Reese Dante Designs for their oft-underrated work. I really hope that McGlynn continues to use them for future covers.
I'm going to finish this with some quotes and notes:
• I'm not sure I've ever read a book with twin prologues before. One for Jeremy in which he is involved in a bad car accident. One for Sean in which he and his brother Liam unexpectedly inherit the Moonlight Inn. Honestly, I think it is very smart. Everyone has a past that impacts their present. Why not include a slice of it?
• “Maybe you need to wander around in different circles for a change. Maybe find someone more down to earth. Someone who’s not afraid to get a little messy.” — I really like this. Sean is so different to Jeremy's normal type. (Evan)
• I closed my laptop and squeezed my eyes shut against the tears that threatened to fall. God, I was so afraid for him. Mom and I watched the news every day, checking for violence in the region. — I love Liam's job, he works in Syria for Doctors Without Borders or, more properly, Médicins Sans Frontières. But this, doing this will just drive you mad. I spent time worrying about a man in the Middle East, in a warzone, do not watch it.
• The Moonlight Inn is stunning. Particularly the dining room especially when you take the concert grand piano into account
• As it was with every time I sat in front of a piano, I felt my soul settle. The tortuous five months I spent recovering from the accident were some of the worst of my life— if I didn’t count rehab. I placed my fingers on the keys and let out a soft sigh. It felt like home. — It's interesting that he calls it home because as a pianist of that calibre, it probably does. But he also refers to the O'Neill family house as home. That is what he feels the second he walks in the door of Moira's house. (Jeremy)
• He cleared his throat and answered, “Club soda with lime, please.” Then his eyes slid away from mine like he was ashamed of his choice.
“Coming right up,” I replied without missing a beat. I knew that look. I’d seen it dozens of times— including on my father’s face. People with drinking problems felt ashamed that they weren’t drinking when everyone else was. My dad was an alcoholic who had been sober for more than twenty years when he died. The cutie at the bar might be going through the same thing, or maybe he just didn’t like drinking but liked hanging out at bars. Who was I to judge? I put his drink together and slid it back to him with a smile. — This is the first time Jeremy and Sean interact. The first time we see the non-judgemental attitude that marks him at times. This is after he gives us a flattering description of Jeremy. (Jeremy and Sean)
• Alcohol was not my drug of choice. I could sit at a bar, a party, whatever, and not crave the taste of alcohol on my tongue. But one drink would lead to two and often three. Then I forgot why I shouldn’t try to find those sweet little white pills. I forgot that they almost ruined my life— almost took my life. I forgot that the high didn’t even really feel that good. I forgot that I had people who loved me, and I didn’t need a drug to fill those empty spaces. — This is happening simultaneously to the above quote. I love the description. (Jeremy)
• The black ink was accentuated by his fair skin. So yeah, I wanted to explore that tattoo in great detail— with my tongue. — Look I can't see a book with this quote and not share it. It's just a mood for me. Just everything going on with Sean's appearance is stunning to me. Long hair, tattoos and piercings. (Jeremy)
• “Good. Really good.”
There was complete silence on the other end. Then my best friend let out a whoop. “Oh my God! You got laid on your first night!”
I pulled the phone away from my ear until he was done. “You should speak up,” I said finally, “I don’t think they heard you in Brooklyn.”
“Pfft,” he retorted. “Now spill. I want all the details.”
I sighed. “First of all, how do you know anything happened?”
“Are you serious right now?” he scoffed. “How long have we known each other?”
“Fifteen years, give or take,” I answered.
“Correct,” Evan said smugly. “So I know the sound of Jeremy’s ‘I got laid’ voice. I. Want. Details.” — This is one of the best moments of Evan just being Evan, the supportive bestie that he is. (Jeremy and Evan)
• “There he is. There’s my Jeremy.”
Tears pricked the backs of my eyes. “Ev… I…” I swallowed hard. “I wasn’t gone. Just… lost.”
“I know, babe,” he said softly. “But it’s time to let your light shine again.” — I teared up at times with these two. This is Jeremy being realising who he is to a degree. (Even and Jeremy)
• Sean was always touching me. Little touches, as if to let me know he was there. His arms felt so good around me that I never wanted him to let go. How much trouble was I in with this man? — Jeremy suffers from a very mild form of touch deprivation. Sean knows contact is important subconsciously. I appreciate the choice to include it but not explicitly state what it is. It feels like this might be the first time he's noticed it. (Jeremy)
• “Mom,” I objected, “I don’t think…”
My mother’s voice grew stern. “Sean Michael O’Neil, are you telling me that you’re embarrassed by your own mother?” “No, that’s not what I meant,” — I adore Moira O'Neill, Sean's mother. Because of course less than 24 hours after they meet Jeremy has already met Sean's mother. (Moira and Sean O'Neill)
• I really lijke the repeated liknes. The lines we are seeing first from one mc then from the other as the perspective switches as does the focal point. I don't think enough writers use it as a device. The author isn't doing it a lot just often enough that when it is done you pay a bit of attention. And you get the impact from both protagonists.
• “I’ve been doing really well since I got here. Far better than I ever imagined. I don’t know if it’s this place or just timing or… you, but I have to keep the momentum going.” — This is just soft. It comes from one of the moments when Jeremy starts showing the true steel of his spine. His spine shows along with his big heart. But as a line this comes as something close to a confession in a way.
• Oh Evan Jesus. Jeremy was in pain and feeling so, so low, that is why he swallowed the pills. But for Evan to find out about the addiction only when he finds his best friend at death's door on his apartment floor would be utterly devastating. It puts the beginning in a whole new light.
• “I want to go out with you and your friends tonight. I don’t have trouble going to bars as long as no one gives me a hard time about not drinking.”
“Not while I’m around, they won’t,” Sean said gruffly. “They know better.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
He adjusted so he could see my face better. “I don’t drink much because of my dad. People used to give me shit for it until I reamed a bunch of them out in the middle of a party. That got everyone’s attention. They never bothered me again.” — Oh it's so disappointing that it came to this but he is far from alone. This is at least part of the reason neither my brother nor myself drink. We come from a generation where drinking was expected and you were a killjoy if you didn't drink, I am aware that drinking culture is improving. (Jeremy and Sean)
• The LGBTQ+ choirs singing to drown out the homophobes is one of the best things.
• The use of music and Jeremy's milestones in their relationship are perfect.
“Look, Jeremy’s had a rough time. I just need you to be good to him.”
“Nothing could be easier,” I answered with a smile.
“You really like him, huh?”
“Yes, I do. But”— I cleared my throat—“ I should go before my dinner gets cold."
Tony laughed. “Yeah, yeah. I get it. Tell Piano Man I’ll see him soon.”
I grinned. “I will.” I hung up and handed the phone back to Jeremy. “Piano Man?”
Jeremy groaned and rolled his eyes. “He’s been calling me that since we met. He teases me because I like Billy Joel.” — Tony D'Angelo, Sean O'Neill and Jeremy Fitzgerald
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
A representative gif:
March 27, 2025
“I love performing, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the love I see in your eyes every time you look at me. Why would I want to spend all that time with strangers when I could spend it with you?”
Sometimes you can just tell after a few pages that a book is going to be absolutely fantastic. A true masterpiece of a book. Moonlight hit me like that after just the prologue and the first couple of chapters. Those pages were setups, letting me get to know the two main characters and what made them tick. Sean and Jeremy need each other! Oh my gosh this book was gorgeous. The emotions these two brought on pulled me through this book. They fall in love hard and fast and couldn’t be more perfect for each other. They are both reminding the other person that it is ok to love and trust again. That it is ok to live and have a balance. I would never have guessed that this was a debut book by a new author. It was absolutely perfect and one that I will probably read over and over!
Sometimes you can just tell after a few pages that a book is going to be absolutely fantastic. A true masterpiece of a book. Moonlight hit me like that after just the prologue and the first couple of chapters. Those pages were setups, letting me get to know the two main characters and what made them tick. Sean and Jeremy need each other! Oh my gosh this book was gorgeous. The emotions these two brought on pulled me through this book. They fall in love hard and fast and couldn’t be more perfect for each other. They are both reminding the other person that it is ok to love and trust again. That it is ok to live and have a balance. I would never have guessed that this was a debut book by a new author. It was absolutely perfect and one that I will probably read over and over!
July 31, 2023
4.5 stars
This review and much more can be found at Love Bytes Reviews.
Jeremy Fitzgerald has been in recovery for a while. He’s a concert pianist who was injured in a car crash that his ex-boyfriend caused. He has recovered from the physical injuries – not without a considerable amount of work. But the psychological injuries and the addiction were not so easy to overcome. He’s worked on it for a while, but this best friend, cellist Evan, insists that it’s time he left the safe bubble of the apartment. Evan is getting married in a month to Rafael, and Jeremy has agreed to play for that. So he send him ahead to the hotel on the Jersey Shore that will play host to the event to get himself prepared to play publicly again.
Sean O’Neil is the owner of the beautiful Victorian hotel that will the wedding venue. He expects Jeremy to be a bit of a diva and a pain quite frankly. What he gets is a shy, humble, somewhat nervous gorgeous guest who intrigues him. He had no idea who Jeremy was really, so he’s surprised to discover which guest is actually the world famous Jeremy Fitzgerald. From the minute they meet, there is something there. The chemistry is off the charts, but Sean can sense that Jeremy has been wounded deeply and is trying move forward and recover from more than a shoulder injury.
Immediately Jeremy and Sean are together a lot. Their chemistry is off the charts. But more than that, they seem to share a lot of the same sensibilities and really enjoy each other’s company both in an out of bed. Sean is considerate of Jeremy’s feelings and past and really helps him to gain more confidence and get back to his old self. Well really a better version of himself if Jeremy’s friends are to be believed.
There are some who really do not want Sean or Jeremy to succeed. There is drama around the hotel which has Sean on edge. Jeremy’s ex resurfaces. They there is Sean’s worry about his brother doing NGO work in a war zone. They do have a lot on their plates! But together then will make things work.
Well this was a real surprise. This debut novel shows a lot of promise and I am anxiously awaiting the next book. I really enjoyed the characters and the story arc of this book. Jeremy has been through some stuff! Sean is a total stand-up guy. They come together and the right place at the right time and provide each other with things they weren’t even really aware that they needed. There is a wonderful cast of supporting characters – friends, found family, real family. The bad guys are plentiful too – but not in a cartoony way. Things get resolved in a way that felt slightly rushed, but I was there for it. The angst is there, but not crushing. I really wanted these guys to get their HEA in the best possible way. The connection between the two MCs was just well written and believable and I am looking forward to book 2! Highly recommended! Love finding new authors and series and I think will provide lots of good reads in the future 🙂
This review and much more can be found at Love Bytes Reviews.
Jeremy Fitzgerald has been in recovery for a while. He’s a concert pianist who was injured in a car crash that his ex-boyfriend caused. He has recovered from the physical injuries – not without a considerable amount of work. But the psychological injuries and the addiction were not so easy to overcome. He’s worked on it for a while, but this best friend, cellist Evan, insists that it’s time he left the safe bubble of the apartment. Evan is getting married in a month to Rafael, and Jeremy has agreed to play for that. So he send him ahead to the hotel on the Jersey Shore that will play host to the event to get himself prepared to play publicly again.
Sean O’Neil is the owner of the beautiful Victorian hotel that will the wedding venue. He expects Jeremy to be a bit of a diva and a pain quite frankly. What he gets is a shy, humble, somewhat nervous gorgeous guest who intrigues him. He had no idea who Jeremy was really, so he’s surprised to discover which guest is actually the world famous Jeremy Fitzgerald. From the minute they meet, there is something there. The chemistry is off the charts, but Sean can sense that Jeremy has been wounded deeply and is trying move forward and recover from more than a shoulder injury.
Immediately Jeremy and Sean are together a lot. Their chemistry is off the charts. But more than that, they seem to share a lot of the same sensibilities and really enjoy each other’s company both in an out of bed. Sean is considerate of Jeremy’s feelings and past and really helps him to gain more confidence and get back to his old self. Well really a better version of himself if Jeremy’s friends are to be believed.
There are some who really do not want Sean or Jeremy to succeed. There is drama around the hotel which has Sean on edge. Jeremy’s ex resurfaces. They there is Sean’s worry about his brother doing NGO work in a war zone. They do have a lot on their plates! But together then will make things work.
Well this was a real surprise. This debut novel shows a lot of promise and I am anxiously awaiting the next book. I really enjoyed the characters and the story arc of this book. Jeremy has been through some stuff! Sean is a total stand-up guy. They come together and the right place at the right time and provide each other with things they weren’t even really aware that they needed. There is a wonderful cast of supporting characters – friends, found family, real family. The bad guys are plentiful too – but not in a cartoony way. Things get resolved in a way that felt slightly rushed, but I was there for it. The angst is there, but not crushing. I really wanted these guys to get their HEA in the best possible way. The connection between the two MCs was just well written and believable and I am looking forward to book 2! Highly recommended! Love finding new authors and series and I think will provide lots of good reads in the future 🙂
April 13, 2023
Very Enjoyable
It’s always good to find a new to me author but I was amazed to find that Evie McGlynn is actually a new author and this is her debut book.
It was well written with well rounded characters that are relatable and I really liked, chosen family, a couple of villains and a beautiful love story that was hot and steamy as well.
Jeremy was a concert pianist who was in demand around the world but one night on a journey with his soon to be ex-boyfriend his life changed forever. He was lucky to be alive but what with the pain and not being able to play his piano he sunk into a depression, became addicted to pain meds and his return to the stage ended in disaster and a stint in rehab.
He had been living with his best friend and his fiancé since rehab, not living, just hiding, but when Evan sat him down and told him they were sending him to the Moonlight Inn in New Jersey, a month ahead of their wedding which was to be held there, so he could practice for the reception and actually rejoin the living outside of their apartment, Jeremy’s life underwent another change.
Sean was the gorgeous hunk of tattooed, muscled man with long hair who owned the Moonlight Inn after inheriting it from the late Mr Whitaker. The minute he and Jeremy met each other the chemistry sizzled. It was a case of opposites attract.
With Sean, Jeremy felt protected and cherished for the first time in his life and as his confidence grew and people around the world heard he was playing again, so did the concert dates in his calendar, but a tragedy in Sean’s life meant he could no longer meet up with Jeremy at some of his venues and as Jeremy missed him more and more he found he was evaluating his life and wondering if touring and playing all over the world was what he really wanted.
An enjoyable book and I shall look out for book 2 in the series which I am hoping will be Sean’s brother Liam and the hot wall of muscle Marco’s story.
It’s always good to find a new to me author but I was amazed to find that Evie McGlynn is actually a new author and this is her debut book.
It was well written with well rounded characters that are relatable and I really liked, chosen family, a couple of villains and a beautiful love story that was hot and steamy as well.
Jeremy was a concert pianist who was in demand around the world but one night on a journey with his soon to be ex-boyfriend his life changed forever. He was lucky to be alive but what with the pain and not being able to play his piano he sunk into a depression, became addicted to pain meds and his return to the stage ended in disaster and a stint in rehab.
He had been living with his best friend and his fiancé since rehab, not living, just hiding, but when Evan sat him down and told him they were sending him to the Moonlight Inn in New Jersey, a month ahead of their wedding which was to be held there, so he could practice for the reception and actually rejoin the living outside of their apartment, Jeremy’s life underwent another change.
Sean was the gorgeous hunk of tattooed, muscled man with long hair who owned the Moonlight Inn after inheriting it from the late Mr Whitaker. The minute he and Jeremy met each other the chemistry sizzled. It was a case of opposites attract.
With Sean, Jeremy felt protected and cherished for the first time in his life and as his confidence grew and people around the world heard he was playing again, so did the concert dates in his calendar, but a tragedy in Sean’s life meant he could no longer meet up with Jeremy at some of his venues and as Jeremy missed him more and more he found he was evaluating his life and wondering if touring and playing all over the world was what he really wanted.
An enjoyable book and I shall look out for book 2 in the series which I am hoping will be Sean’s brother Liam and the hot wall of muscle Marco’s story.
January 17, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
This is a debut book and Jeremy and Sean start off the Down the Shore series. The outline of the story was interesting, with a pianist seeking refuge in a small inn while still being recognized. Jeremy’s life is laid out for us with a background of wealthy but cold parents, making wrong choices in both boyfriends and his agent, and then a life changing accident that nearly cost him everything. Jeremy’s recovery has been slow, and without his best friend, Evan, things would have been incredibly different.
There is also a lot going on in this book. Jeremy and Sean both have friends that appear on page who are in relationships and many scenes came off as awkward and like these characters already had a story. There are also storylines with Jeremy’s ex, Jeremy’s family, Sean’s family, and the family of the man that Sean inherited the inn from, and there is a bodyguard and an IT specialist and inn employees and their children and homophobia and it was a lot all wedged in. We also see Jeremy play the piano often, which should add to the story, but I felt like the choices of music were too familiar and commonplace for a musician of his stature. I am also familiar with setting of the book and it seemed that certain places were added in as checkmarks and there wasn’t a natural flow to any of this. Then, towards the end we do see the potential set up for the next book.
I do like to read new authors, but for me, this book needed a tighter direction and the emotional connection to come off the page to make these guys work better.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
3 stars
This is a debut book and Jeremy and Sean start off the Down the Shore series. The outline of the story was interesting, with a pianist seeking refuge in a small inn while still being recognized. Jeremy’s life is laid out for us with a background of wealthy but cold parents, making wrong choices in both boyfriends and his agent, and then a life changing accident that nearly cost him everything. Jeremy’s recovery has been slow, and without his best friend, Evan, things would have been incredibly different.
There is also a lot going on in this book. Jeremy and Sean both have friends that appear on page who are in relationships and many scenes came off as awkward and like these characters already had a story. There are also storylines with Jeremy’s ex, Jeremy’s family, Sean’s family, and the family of the man that Sean inherited the inn from, and there is a bodyguard and an IT specialist and inn employees and their children and homophobia and it was a lot all wedged in. We also see Jeremy play the piano often, which should add to the story, but I felt like the choices of music were too familiar and commonplace for a musician of his stature. I am also familiar with setting of the book and it seemed that certain places were added in as checkmarks and there wasn’t a natural flow to any of this. Then, towards the end we do see the potential set up for the next book.
I do like to read new authors, but for me, this book needed a tighter direction and the emotional connection to come off the page to make these guys work better.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
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