AotM ~ Pretend and Return to Blackcreek by Riley Hart (Book Reviews)
Title: PRETEND (Blackcreek #3)
Author: Riley Hart
Pages: 270
Published: December 29, 2014
Mason Alexander thought all he wanted in life was something to call his own—something without the family name attached. He got that when he bought his bar in Blackcreek...but then a hard truth opens his eyes that he’s been lied to his whole life, and he’s tangled amid the family that loves him, a truth that haunts him, and torn between the life he wants for himself and the obligation he feels for his family.
Gavin Davis knows a thing or two about living a double life. Being a gay man with strict Christian parents who believe he’s going to Hell, has never been easy. Instead of dealing, Gavin lost himself in his career. Teaching music gives him solace. So when he loses his job at a private school for helping out a gay kid, he feels like he lost more than a job. He lost his identity.
Blackcreek is a new start for both of them, two men, loyal to a fault, who both feel obligated to people in their lives. What Mason and Gavin don’t expect to find in each other is the place where they can be real. They know they want each other, it’s the rest of it they can’t figure out. Caught between loyalty, obligation, fear, tragedy and family, Mason and Gavin’s lives threaten to pull them away from each other if they don’t get real, and stop playing pretend, for good.
Gavin Davis knows a thing or two about living a double life. Being a gay man with strict Christian parents who believe he’s going to Hell, has never been easy. Instead of dealing, Gavin lost himself in his career. Teaching music gives him solace. So when he loses his job at a private school for helping out a gay kid, he feels like he lost more than a job. He lost his identity.
Blackcreek is a new start for both of them, two men, loyal to a fault, who both feel obligated to people in their lives. What Mason and Gavin don’t expect to find in each other is the place where they can be real. They know they want each other, it’s the rest of it they can’t figure out. Caught between loyalty, obligation, fear, tragedy and family, Mason and Gavin’s lives threaten to pull them away from each other if they don’t get real, and stop playing pretend, for good.
4 Stars!!!
Can two men dealing with family issues find comfort and family in one another?
I read the other two books in this series quite a while back, so I don't really recall the other two sets of couples or their situations. The first two sets of couples are present in this book, especially Braden, but I never felt lost so this can be read as a complete standalone in my opinion.
While I loved Gavin from the beginning, it took me some time to warm up to Mason. He was sort of harsh and well, bossy as Gavin calls him, especially during sex. Mason needed to control the situation and that turned me off at times. While the sex was smoking hot, I missed the passion in it. I never quite felt that love come through or completely felt that connection between Mason and Gavin I was looking for. I also never felt secure in their relationship and was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. But I think that's just Riley's writing. She likes to keep you biting your nails until practically the last word.
I thought the story was well written and paced well, but the resolution felt somewhat anti-climatic. I'm not sure, it just felt like it was missing something.
Still, this was an enjoyable and sexy read.
Title: RETURN TO BLACKCREEK
Author: Riley Hart
Pages: 170
Published: November 24, 2015
This December it's time to go back...
Wes and Braden
Braden plans a surprise weekend getaway for him and Wes. Two days alone in a cabin with his husband? There’s no telling what kind of trouble they can get into. Wes isn’t fooled though. He knows this weekend is about more than just a sexy escape. When Braden lets him in on what he has planned, it has the potential to change their lives forever.
Gavin and Mason
It’s the start of winter break and Gavin is looking forward to spending it working at Creekside with Mason…only he realizes that’s not the only thing he wants. He sets out on a path to give Mason the surprise of a lifetime, and the end result is a night neither man will ever forget.
Noah and Cooper
Cooper is determined to start a new holiday tradition. He’s planned an ugly sweater party that will go down in Blackcreek history. Not even Noah realizes everything he has in store for the night. If Coop can pull it all off without a hitch, the party will either be a huge success, or the biggest mistake of his life.
Three couples, three major life events. It’s a December to remember for all our men in Blackcreek.
40,000 words
Wes and Braden
Braden plans a surprise weekend getaway for him and Wes. Two days alone in a cabin with his husband? There’s no telling what kind of trouble they can get into. Wes isn’t fooled though. He knows this weekend is about more than just a sexy escape. When Braden lets him in on what he has planned, it has the potential to change their lives forever.
Gavin and Mason
It’s the start of winter break and Gavin is looking forward to spending it working at Creekside with Mason…only he realizes that’s not the only thing he wants. He sets out on a path to give Mason the surprise of a lifetime, and the end result is a night neither man will ever forget.
Noah and Cooper
Cooper is determined to start a new holiday tradition. He’s planned an ugly sweater party that will go down in Blackcreek history. Not even Noah realizes everything he has in store for the night. If Coop can pull it all off without a hitch, the party will either be a huge success, or the biggest mistake of his life.
Three couples, three major life events. It’s a December to remember for all our men in Blackcreek.
40,000 words
4 Stars!
It's the holiday season for the men of Blackcreek and we get a fun look at how they're all spending their time with the people they love the most. Each couple has come so far in their journey to life, love and happiness since we've last seen them and it's always a treat to get to spend time in their piece of "Happily Ever After".
We get short stories surrounding all three couples that are very sweet and sentimental as well being choke-full of sex. Wes and Braden, Noah and Cooper, Mason and Gavin are all there for the fans of Blackcreek. These aren't angsty stories of the trials and tribulations of coupledom in a small town but more of a fluffy snippet of the lives of men who are completely in love and devoted to one another and ready to show what's next.
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Hi Riley do you plan to write a series or do the characters demand more stories lines for just one book?
ReplyDeleteI love all of riley characters so I cant pick one and I am dying to know what book is next for her!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat genre haven't you written that you would like to try?
ReplyDelete