Release Day Review ~ There's This Guy by Rhys Ford (Giveaway)

Release Day Review ~ There's This Guy by Rhys Ford

Title: There's This Guy

Author: Rhys Ford

Release Date: March 17, 2017

Category: Contemporary

Pages: 200

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How do you save a drowning man when that drowning man is you?

Jake Moore’s world fits too tightly around him. Every penny he makes as a welder goes to care for his dying father, an abusive, controlling man who’s the only family Jake has left. Because of a promise to his dead mother, Jake resists his desire for other men, but it leaves him consumed by darkness.

It takes all of Dallas Yates’s imagination to see the possibilities in the fatigued art deco building on WeHo’s outskirts, but what seals the deal is a shy smile from the handsome metal worker across the street. Their friendship deepens while Dallas peels back the hardened layers strangling Jake’s soul. It’s easy to love the sweet, artistic man hidden behind Jake’s shattered exterior, but Dallas knows Jake needs to first learn to love himself.

When Jake’s world crumbles, he reaches for Dallas, the man he’s learned to lean on. It’s only a matter of time before he’s left to drift in a life he never wanted to lead and while he wants more, Jake’s past haunts him, making him doubt he’s worth the love Dallas is so desperate to give him.

4 Stars 

This was my first Rhys Ford book, so I wasn't sure what to expect, and at first I wasn't sure I liked the book. It took some time for me to connect with the characters. I didn't really like the first impressions I got of either Jake or Dallas, but slowly I fell in love with them, especially with Dallas, whom I thought was a bit of a rich twat at first. It doesn't take long to get past that layer and get to the sweet, funny, loving man that lays beneath that first impression. The man who loves with his whole heart and will do anything for the people he cares about.

I wasn't sure Jake would ever overcome the damage done to him by his parents. If the devil exists, he has taken up residence in Jake's father. That man was pure evil. I hope he rots someplace worse than the depths of hell. Jake was a kind, lovable and quite character, who needed to accept that he wasn't dirty or disgusting, as he'd been told his whole life.

The differences between Jake and Dallas' personalities balance one another out well. I loved that although they had feelings for one another, they formed a friendship first, and built from that friendship, before moving onto to more. Once they did make the move from friends to lovers it felt natural and right and when they fell into bed, it was more about the beauty, connection and love rather than the hotness of the scenes.

This was an enjoyable and interesting read. I loved that while it was dark in places, the author added humor to balance the darkness. The main characters were likable, and the secondary characters of Celeste, Dallas' family and Jake's boss, not only added depth to the story, but were lovable and funny.

This was a well-written and well paced story, filled with emotion and acceptance! Very recommendable!!

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement.*

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