Friday, December 4, 2015

Release Day Blitz: ~ Finding Aaron by Gigi Kern ~ (Review, Excerpt + Giveaway)

Release Day Blitz: ~ Finding Aaron by Gigi Kern ~ (Review, Excerpt + Giveaway)
Finding Aaron
Book 1 in Finding Home Series 
Gigi Kern 
Release Date: November 4th 2015


33,000 words – gay romance, heat level low. 

BLURB


At 23, Aaron has aged out of the foster-care system and is now a struggling college student. Between his severe Learning Disabilities, ADHD and past trauma, every day is a struggle. 

Three years ago, Aaron's world got a whole lot brighter thanks to his new best friend, Ryan Foster and his family. The Fosters have taken him into the fold. That is, everyone except for Ryan's Uncle TJ. 

When Aaron and TJ meet, sparks fly. 

TJ, 31, can't stand his nephew's flamboyant, in your face, blue-haired, rainbow loving, best friend. He knows he shouldn't be so judgmental but after spending five years in Iraq and Afghanistan, his patience is buried under a mountain of guilt and loss. 

TJ's animosity toward Aaron always stresses Aaron out going home to the Foster's for the holidays but they are the only family he has. He just needs to put up with TJ. He can do that, right? 

When something happens that neither one wants to acknowledge, it may just be the catalyst needed for the sparks to explode. 

What happens when TJ lets himself see the real Aaron? And, can Aaron let TJ past his defenses, when he's barely holding on. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27431779-finding-aaron?ac=1&from_search=1
Buy Links:
Excerpt
Gabby Foster had a million and one things floating through her mind.  But the two things that kept her up at night were her younger brother TJ and her son’s best friend Aaron.  Recently, Aaron was the one who concerned her the most.  Ever since May – she and Rick had both noticed it.  Something had happened that spooked Aaron.  They both agreed – TJ was dead center.
Gabby had told Rick last night, her one regret was not asking Aaron if he wanted to become an official member of their family last year after the family vacation.  It was the perfect time and she got cold feet.  And now Aaron was worse than the first time they met him.  She didn’t know why, and it scared her.  She could already feel him pulling away from them.  Recently he’d even distanced himself from Ryan.
She and Rick agreed, they waited too long – his birthday would be the perfect time. 
“Mom, they’re here,” David said from the den.
“Thanks, honey.”
Gabby walked to the door, took a deep breath, and opened it with a huge grin.
Seconds later TJ, who was sitting in the den watching TV with David, noticed Gabby looking concerned and stressed.
David, who was watching his mom and uncle, nudged TJ in the side, and said, “Leave it.  She is fine, and he isn’t the problem.”
“What?”
“I know that look.  And you’re wrong.  So just leave it.”
“I don’t understand this fascination you all have with this kid.  Explain it to me.  I really want to know – what’s so special about him?”
David shook his head. “You see him as some punk kid with blue hair, gay as the rainbow flag, and an airhead.  Right?”  TJ agreed.  “Yeah, see, that’s what he wants.”
“I’m confused – you’re agreeing with me.”
David gave TJ a hard stare. “No, I’m not.  I said it’s what he wants.  It’s how he protects himself.  I’m surprised.  You of all people, Uncle TJ, should know what it’s like to have to keep parts of yourself secret.  To protect yourself. You really want to know why he’s so important to us.  Then watch him.  Don’t judge him – just watch what he does this week.  You’ll understand.  I promise.”
“Whatever.  No promises, kid.”

Tracy's Review:


3.5 Stars

*copy provided to bayou book junkie by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Aaron is a 23 year old college student that suffers from severe panic attacks and a learning disability along with some other disabilities. Ryan is Aaron's best friend and roommate, actually Ryan is Aaron's only friend. Aaron has a huge crush on T.J., who is Ryan's uncle, but T.J. is 31 and a real jerk to Aaron, leaving him with no other choice but to try to pull away from Ryan and his family, who all love Aaron like a member of the family.

The story was good, but I didn't care for the writing. I found it was all over the place. It jumped from one scene to another, and at times one time frame to another with no clear flow. It was hard to keep up at times with not only what was happening, but with who was talking. This story had multiple POV's, not just the main characters.

There were things about this story that I loved and things I really didn't like. I loved the relationship between Aaron and Ryan, and to be honest.. I think the author missed the mark with this relationship. I know Ryan is straight, but I felt a chemistry there that felt like more than friendship, and I think the author should have ran with it. I didn't feel a chemistry between Aaron and T.J. I really didn't care for T.J., even when he was being nice. I just didn't really like him. I adored Ryan's family and how much they loved Aaron.

This wasn't a horrible book, it just wasn't for me, and I'm not sure I'll continue, because I really didn't care for T.J.

About Gigi Kern

Gigi Kern is currently writing the second book, Finding Love in the Finding Home series, her first gay contemporary romance series. A huge fan, she along with thousands wait with baited breath for the next new release from her favourite gay romance authors.

Gigi first discovered her passion for reading out of desperation. During her month long hiatus for her seventh grade summer break, spending quality time with the grandparents in sunny Florida in August, the hottest time of year, she became desperate. See, awesome grandparents had no cable. Travesty though it was, Gigi discovered the retirement community's library and there it was in all its glory, Heaven by V.C. Andrews. And she's been hooked ever since.

Though her day job is monotonous, she has been able to work in three continents, travel and see the world. 

Her menagerie of wooden animals from her world travels have major competition from her two cats, Marco-Pollo and Squertie. And, cause what would a menagerie be without animals, her two 65+ pound dogs, Leo the Lug and Blink the destroyer of toys. 

She is currently writing her life away on the shores of North Carolina.
Social Media Links:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Posted by at
Labels: , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)