Chase The Sun by Christina Lee and Nyrae Dawn
Book: Chase The Sun
Series: Free Fall #2
Authors: Christina Lee and Nyrae Dawn
Release Date: September 7, 2016
Pages: 222
GoodReads ~ Amazon
Blurb:
Jamie Tolland has only ever known his small Oregon town. Same job, same friends, same gay bar. He feels obligated to stay, especially as his mother’s illness progresses. But when a situation presents itself in the form of a vintage sports car, he jumps on the chance to not only repair it, but also drive it to its new owner in LA.
Conner Murphy left Oregon years ago to make his life in West Hollywood. Like his unconventional parents, he’s always been a free spirit, never settling on one job or girl for too long. When he inherits his late uncle’s classic Chevelle, he’s more than happy to let his childhood friend Jamie help.
Jamie and Conner are as different as night and day. Even after years of living apart, they still have a blast together—but now it’s mixed with an undeniable spark of attraction. Before they know it, they can’t keep their hands off each other. For Conner it’s all new and exciting, but Jamie isn’t the type of guy who takes this sort of intimacy lightly.
Conner soon realizes that Jamie quenches something deep inside of him that no one has before, but he doesn’t know how to handle a real relationship. As Jamie’s time in LA comes to an end, and the more they struggle to get on the same page about their feelings, the more Jamie realizes that trying to tie Conner down is as futile as capturing the sun.
5 + Stars!!
**copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the authors/publisher in exchange for an honest review**
This book was SO good!! I didn't want to put it down. I was so upset that I had to go to work and was forced to wait until I got home to finish it.
I absolutely adored Conner and Jamie. I think they fit together perfectly. They are so different. Conner is a free spirit, sexually fluid and open to different things. He takes stuff as it comes and just rolls with it. It was refreshing to not have him question too hard what he was feeling for Jamie sexually, and it all just happened so naturally. Jamie is much more traditional. He knows he's gay and knows what he wants. It was so nice that even though he was from a small town, he wasn't closeted. He doesn't flaunt it, but he doesn't hide it either. His parents and the towns-people know he's gay and he's not afraid to be who he is. Yet, even with all these differences, Conner and Jamie balance one another so well. They were so sweet together, the chemistry was off the charts and the sex was passionate and hot!!
The story is well-written and flows well. The collaboration between the authors was seamless. I couldn't tell where one author's writing began and the other's ended. I loved getting to catch up with Gabe and Lucas. Ezra is an interesting character and I'm really hoping his book is next. (I'll beg if I have to, ladies!!)
This was an interesting and entertaining read that hooked me from the first word. It's packed with friendship, romance, sweetness, laughter and love!! Can't recommend it enough!!
Jamie Tolland is stuck living in his one-stoplight hometown of Riverfall, Oregon where nothing exciting ever seems to happen. Conner Murphy left Riverfall as fast as he could and now in LA he's found a whole new world. When Jamie, who'd been working on the classic car Conner inherited from his uncle, calls to let Conner know he'll deliver the car to him in LA and use the trip as an excuse to get out of Riverfall, Conner is elated. Not only will he get his car but he looks forward to seeing his old friend and giving him the experience of SoCal.
Jamie has always been open about his sexuality. His parents and most likely the whole town knows he's gay. LA is almost overwhelming, things are very different from back home. He's not fully prepared for all he learns and sees while there.
Conner grew up in what amounts to a hippie homestead. His free-spirited parents have instilled the notion that monogamy is unnatural, that sticking to one thing gets boring and people should do what feels good. He figures that extends to his sexuality. While he's mainly been with women, he's been finding himself more and more attracted to men lately. He's comfortable being gender fluid.
Conner and Jamie enjoy spending time together while Jamie experiences the city and their friendship deepens and evolves into something more. But things aren't easy when these two realize they have very different relationship ideas and values. They live in two different worlds.
I enjoyed both Conner and Jamie and how they were together as well as the progression of the relationship. It was great to see the friendship and the vulnerabilities as well as the chemistry. I didn't always agree with Conner's philosophy on life, especially after learning about his parents' lifestyle, but I was happy with the resolution. I definitely will recommend Chase The Sun.
4 Stars!
***A copy of this book was provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review***
PAINT THE STARS
Release Date: February 20th, 2017
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Blurb
Ezra Greene has made a pretty decent life for himself. He has a nice apartment and spends his days doing the one thing he’s always loved—creating art. Despite being somewhat of a grumpy recluse, he’s even made a few loyal friends. When he takes a side job painting a mural at a local holistic center, he can’t help being curious about a certain friendly and self-assured yoga instructor, even if he doesn’t buy into any of that Zen crap. His holier-than-thou family already tried fitting him inside a box, and he swore he’d never be molded into anybody’s belief system again.
For Daevonte Randall, adulthood has worked out pretty well. He’s close to his parents and lives with an awesome roommate. He’s content with weekend hookups, teaching yoga, and taking college courses. What he doesn’t expect is to be so intrigued by the brooding and reserved painter he’s been tasked to stay after hours with at the center. Something fascinates him about Ezra, even after Daevonte’s attempts at flirting gets him friend-zoned on the spot.
As weeks pass, Ezra and Dae get to know each other, and soon their friendship catches fire. But Ezra’s been burned pretty badly before so trust and intimacy has to be earned. Daevonte feels up to the task, but it proves difficult as Ezra continues to keep his emotions in check. Dae’s only willing to wait so long, and when they’re dealt a surprising blow, Ezra needs to decide if love is worth the risk, that is…if it’s not too late.
5 + Stars
Throughout the first two books in this series, we've gotten glimpses of Ezra, but he has largely remained a mystery. A mystery I couldn't wait to solve. I loved watching as his layers slowly peeled away to show us this shy and insecure young man who has been hurt in the past. Once he finally breaks free of that protective outer shell, he has so much to offer. So much personality, sweetness and love. Dae was an amazing character. He's never found anyone that's made him want what his parents have. A long term loving and committed relationship. Not until he meets Ezra. Ezra makes Dae feel things he wasn't sure he'd ever want.
Ezra and Dae fit so well together. I loved the progression of their relationship. The transition from friends to lovers felt natural and realistic. I adored getting to know them as they got to know each other. Watching Dae and Ezra slowly fall in love was a beautiful thing. The chemistry they shared came off the pages at you. The sex was not only hot, but passionate and loving as well.
I have loved this series. Christina and Nyrae collaborate together so well. Their writing style blends so seamlessly, while giving each character a defined personality. This story is filled with so much emotion. Sadness, heartbreak, hurt, laughter, friendship, acceptance and of course, love. I've loved all of the main characters, from all three books, and although this can definitely be read as a standalone, you don't want to miss getting to know Lucas and Gabriel or Connor and Jamie. It was great getting to catch up with them. I'm really hoping this isn't the last book in this series. I'm looking forward to so much more from these authors, both together and individually. I can't say enough how much I loved this book and I definitely recommend it!!!
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement.*
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Nyrae Dawn
Nyrae Dawn can almost always be found with a book in her hand or an open document on her laptop. She couldn’t live without books—reading or writing them. Oh, and chocolate. She’s slightly addicted.
She gravitates toward character-driven stories. Whether reading or writing, she loves emotional journeys. It’s icing on the cake when she really feels something, but is able to laugh too. She’s a proud romantic, who has a soft spot for flawed characters, who make mistakes, but also have big hearts.
Whether she’s writing young adult, new adult, or adult you can always count on a healthy dose of romance from her books. She likes to tackle tough subjects, and believes everyone needs to see themselves in the stories they read.
Nyrae is living her very own happily ever after in California with her gorgeous husband (who still makes her swoon) and her two incredibly awesome kids.
Facebook
Blog
Twitter: @NyraeDawn
Christina Lee
Once upon a time, I lived in New York City and was a wardrobe stylist. I spent my days shopping for photo shoots, getting into cabs, eating amazing food, and drinking coffee at my favorite hangouts.
Now I live in the Midwest with my husband and son—my two favorite guys. I've been a clinical social worker and a special education teacher. But it wasn't until I wrote a weekly column for the local newspaper that I realized I could turn the fairytales inside my head into the reality of writing fiction.
I write Adult, New Adult, and M/M Contemporary Romance. I'm addicted to lip gloss and salted caramel everything. I believes in true love and kissing, so writing romance novels has become a dream job.
I enjoy reading both YA and NA books some of my favourites are "Tales From Foster High" Book by John Goode "Dumb Jock" by Jeff Erno
ReplyDeleteI don't read much YA so this is my favorite
ReplyDeleteat the moment I don't have a favorite.
ReplyDeleteLeta Blake and Alice Griffiths do a great job with the WILL AND PATRICK WAKE UP MARRIED series!
ReplyDelete--Trix