Review Tour: Spark (North Star Trilogy #1) by Posy Roberts (Reviews + Giveaway)
Length: 91,000 words approx.
Cover Design: Olive Us Designs
North Star Trilogy Pre-Order
Blurb
Hugo Thorson fell in love when he was sixteen. He’s maybe been in love since, but probably not. He’s been too busy directing plays to devote much time to men who can’t accept all of him. No one ever made him feel like his first love did.
Kevin Magnus married a woman and has two children, but the marriage wasn’t happy. In the shadow of divorce, he’s striving to be a better father, but he’s still a work in progress.
When Hugo and Kevin bump into each other at the lake, memories of their last kiss incite a new first kiss. Visions of the life they always wanted are vivid, but so much stands in the way of their dreams. Hugo is out and proud but no one knows Kevin’s bisexual. If Kevin comes out, he risks losing custody of his kids. If he doesn’t walk hand in hand with Hugo, he risks losing the love of his life.
The curtain may never rise on their second act.
4.25 Stars
Omg, I absolutely LOVED this story. I’ve read plenty of Posy Roberts’ books and I have no clue how I missed this series, but I’m excited to get to read them now.
I loved Hugo, and my heart absolutely broke for him and all he went through. He had such loving parents and it was so sad to see him have to suffer the slow and agonizing loss of his father. I just wanted to hug and comfort him.
Kevin, I also felt bad for him, but I also kinda wanted to strangle him. I understand that when they first meet, and the first half of the book takes place in the 90’s and it wasn’t as acceptable then to be openly gay/bi. I also know what a tyrant his father was, but I felt if he truly loved Hugo, for me, he gave up way too easily. Hell, go to school get your education, then give your parents the finger and be true to who you are and who you love. Instead, Kevin basically goes off the college and leaves Hugo behind, becoming the man his father always wanted him to be.
Jump ahead seventeen years and these two men come face to face again. When they meet again they pretty much pick up where they left off, but I still felt Kevin was a bit of an ass, okay, really, I thought he was a coward, for wanting to keep his relationship with Hugo a secret.
I think there is real love there and they have amazing chemistry and are hot and passionate together. I loved seeing Hugo interact with Kevin’s kids, he is so good with them, but I really just wanted Kevin to grow a set of balls and not keep Hugo as his dirty little secret!
Overall, the story is well-written and paced well. Kevin frustrated me, but I enjoyed watching him and Hugo fall in love with one another as teenagers as well as adults. This was a good start to their journey and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for them in the next two installments. Very recommendable!
* Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. *
4.25 Stars
Spark is book 1 in the North Star Trilogy by Posy Roberts, which is currently being re-worked and re-edited.
The first half of this first book goes back and forth between past (back when Hugo and Kevin were sixteen to eighteen) and present, seventeen years after they last saw each other. I don't particularly care for all the jumping around, I prefer to remain in the past, have it all hashed out and then go to the present, however, Ms. Roberts somehow made it work and it wasn't nearly as annoying as I've found it to be in other books.
I loved Hugo, he was just about perfect, sweet, understanding and resilient. He went through so much with his father's illness and having to juggle school with the knowledge he'd lose his dad at any moment. And still, he didn't compromise who he was or apologize for it, no matter what. Plus, he was just amazing with Kevin's kids, which I loved seeing.
I think Hugo was sort of shortchanged with Kevin, who with his daddy issues hurt Hugo more than once when they were younger. I do understand that they were both young, and of course, Kevin's father deserved to be run over with a trailblazer a couple (hundred) times, but I think Kevin had options other than just going with what the damned man expected of him, or he could've had them if he'd had the courage to actually do something about it. Instead, he followed the path his father had set up for him, studied business, got a high-paying job and married a woman and had kids. And really, if it hadn't been that his ex actually wanted more out of life than what she had with Kevin, he probably would've remained married to her indefinitely. Grrr, argh!!!
I can't deny that the chemistry between Kevin and Hugo was sizzling hot or that Kevin, deep, very deep inside cared for Hugo, but I found it difficult to be as forgiving as Hugo. I will admit that Kevin won some points with me with how he handled learning about Miss Cherrie Pop, though. ;)
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, while it's to be continued in the next book, Fusion, it ended in a good place with a nice HFN. Even if I wasn't a fan of Kevin, I adored Hugo and want a HEA for him, so I'll be looking forward to the next two books to see how it all will play out.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
4 Stars!
After 17 years apart, Hugo and Kevin run into one another unexpectedly and it’s as if no time has passed at all. However, they are different men now, they’ve walked down different paths in life. Can that same connection they shared as teenaged boys be all they need to start fresh as grown men with adult responsibilities?
First, let me say I’m not a huge fan of second chance romances. I generally find the initial meeting and getting to know you stage enticing so if the MCs already have history, I sometimes feel it takes away from it all. With Spark though, both Hugh and Kev have plenty to learn about one another. After all, it’s been 17 years and the last time they said goodbye they were on their way to separate Colleges. We get flashes of the past as well as the present so we get to experience their firsts (meeting, kisses, etc...) twice.
I liked Hugo and I felt for him. It had to be heartbreaking to deal with his father’s illness and how it impacted his family. Luckily for him, they were wonderful and supportive and his sister was amazing. He definitely persevered. I liked that he lived his life as he wanted. He was a great entertainer and I loved his Miss Cherrie Pop.
Kevin was harder to fall in love with but I felt for him too and in the end, I did empathize with him. It’s a hard thing to go against what your parents want when you are young and desperate for their love. My heart hurt for him. However, I do think there comes a point when you have to stop pretending and stop hiding especially when it’s hurting others.
One thing I loved about this story though was the way the author depicted the main female characters. So many times we get needless drama from the women in these types of stories. Whether it’s the ex-wife, the girlfriend or the best friend. But I loved how supportive Summer and Erin were and they weren’t vilified.
Overall, though I enjoyed Hugo and Kevin and the beginning of their journey together, I can’t wait to see where things will lead and hope they will get their happily ever after eventually (even though I suspect I’ll need a box of Kleenex in the meantime).
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
June 26 - BooksLaidBareBoys, Mainely Stories, Kimmer's Erotic Book Banter, June 28 - Cupcakes & Bookshelves,
June 30 - Katie's Book Corner Reviews, Dog-Eared Daydreams,
July 2 - Diverse Reader,
July 4 - Bayou Book Junkie, MM Good Book Reviews, Xtreme Delusions,
July 6 - Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Lillian Francis, Making It Happen, Gay Media Reviews, Mikku-chan
Author Bio
She wanted to read about men falling in love with each other. She wanted to explore beyond the happily ever after and see characters navigate the unpredictability of life. So Posy sat down at her keyboard to write the books she wanted to read.
Her stories have been USA Today’s Happily Ever After Must-Reads and Rainbow Award finalists. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her family and friends and doing anything possible to get out of grocery shopping and cooking.
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Thanks for your time and reviews. <3
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