TITLE: Back to You
AUTHOR: Kim Breyon
SERIES: Book 1, Against All Odds
PUBLISHER: NA
COVER ARTIST: Kim Breyon
GENRE: MM Contemporary Romance
E-BOOK: Yes
PAPERBACK: No
LENGTH: Approx 86,000 words
RELEASE DATE: Sept 13, 2018
Subgenres :
Contemporary Romance, Friends to lovers, Second chance
Tags:
#authorsofinstagram #romanceauthors #mmromance #gayromance #kimbreyon #DebutRelease #DebutAuthor #BeckettandRiley #Beckley #AgainstAllOdds #bookstagram
Blurb:
One of you, one of me…
As a private investigator, I have a perfect record when it comes to closing cases…as long as you don’t count the only one that ever really mattered to me.
Even after a decade, the memory of the foster boy I once shared a room with continues to haunt my dreams. For five years, Riley helped me laugh when there was so little in our lives to laugh about. His gentle touch and stormy gray eyes were the only thing that could calm the swirling and turbulent thoughts and emotions within me.
But in the blink of an eye, the safe harbor my best friend provided was ripped from my life without warning or reason. His unexplained disappearance set sail to a lonely and hopeless journey. Now, I am no more willing to let the memory of my best friend go than I am ready to give up the search for him, as hopeless as it may seem to those around me.
And then a client asks me to locate a stolen treasure box. Clues have me heading from the city of Atlanta to a small, picturesque town in South Carolina called Reedsport. There, I hope to find the missing box; what I never expected was to find something else that I’d been missing for far too long. Could I have finally found a beacon of hope that would lead Riley Tanager back to me?
Back to You is currently available for pre-order and will be released today (Sept 13, 2018).
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2NhII1V
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2MNF2pl
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2ClfNWz
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2wLmnAF
Excerpt
“I used to dream of us like this,” he whispered, “especially when we were practically naked in the tree house during the summer. Lost count how many times I wish we actually were.”
“You weren’t the only one,” I admitted with a chuckle, “You have no idea how many times I messed up a drawing on your back because I was distracted by your ass.” He laughed.
“Ohhh yeah? Is that why you started to draw on my chest?”
“Maybe.” I turned to kiss him. “Although, that wasn’t much better, because I just started looking at… um, something else instead.” There was something dark and beautiful in his eyes that sent a shiver down my spine and I realized it was desire. It made me pause. Holy shit! Beckett wanted me. He slipped a hand under my shirt and pressed another kiss to my neck. “It’s a warm night,” he mused in a husky voice. “Care to make one more of my dreams come true?”
“What’s that?” I breathed.
“You naked between my legs as we watch the stars together.” My entire body went warm with pleasure. Did he even know what he did to me? I shifted against him, letting out a little whimper. He kissed my ear before whispering, “Can I have that dream tonight, Ry?”
4 Stars!
I loved Beckett. He was protective and supportive and I just felt he was a good man that deserved better than what he'd gotten. I really liked Riley, but since we only got Beck's POV in the first few chapters, it took me longer to connect with him. I wasn't sure what to think of his reticence to invite Beck back into his house, and even when he explained his motives, I still wasn't too sure I understood it. Anyway, after we started getting some chapters with his perspective it was certainly easier getting to know and warm up to him. It was undeniable he had also gone through a lot, so it was lovely to see them finally getting their HEA. They had great chemistry and fit well together and I loved seeing the progression of their relationship.
Regarding the secondary characters, I am very intrigued by Jake and can't wait for his story and I liked Amelia, who seemed a nice friend to Riley/Preston. I loved Harper and the dogs and I hated Tosh with a passion. Really, what she did to Beckett and Riley was horrible, no matter how she tried to spin it.
The writing style was good and flowed well. While I'm not particularly fond of flashbacks, I liked the way the author managed to weave present and past in this story. I think other than feeling there were too many things happening, Beck and Riley rekindling their relationship, the case Beckett was working on with the stolen treasure box (which left some unanswered questions for me), the whole deal with Amelia and her ex-boyfriend and then with Tosh and her lies. It was just a little too much at times.
Overall, this was a solid debut novel for new author Kim Breyon. The book was entertaining, the characters (both main and secondary) were likable and while there are a few things that needed some tightening, it was still a very good read and I'll be looking forward to Jake's book and seeing more of Beck and Riley in the future.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
4 Stars!
Beckett and Riley are brought together by circumstances resulting in both boys being placed in foster care. Beckett works hard to befriend Riley but soon succeeds in getting him to lower some walls. They quickly become the best of friends and find they can depend on one another for comfort. As their bond grows, they begin to realize they may just be more than friends but then without a word Riley disappears leaving Beckett devastated. 10 years later, Beckett has never forgotten Riley and still searches for him. As a private investigator, he thought he’d have found something by now but it’s as if he never existed. Now, haunted by memories of the best friend he misses desperately he refuses to give up hope he’ll eventually find him.
A new case has Beckett following a lead to Reedsport. Stumbling across a local artist, Beckett finally gets a clue of what happened to Riley. Of course, 10 years is a long time and even though Beckett wants to pick up right where they left off, it doesn’t mean that the men haven’t changed.
This was a sweet story about two men who found each other again after over a decade with no idea where the other person was. Beckett never gave up and it was obvious that he gave his heart to Riley when they were young and never got it back. It haunted him to not know what happened and where Riley disappeared to. It had been taking its toll on his everyday life, his sleep and his relationships with friends and family. It was fairly easy to feel a connection to Beckett and what he was going through. The unknown is impossible to let go of sometimes. Riley was shy and sweet and just all around endearing person. My heart definitely went out to him.
I have to say, for being her first book, Kim Breyon did a very good job. I enjoyed Beckett’s world and I don’t have a problem recommending Back To You. I definitely can’t wait to see Jake's story and to get more of Riley and Beckett.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.***
About the author:
Kim Breyon
I am an Idaho native who grew up dreaming about traveling the world and writing stories. I would often spend my spare time curled up with my favorite blanket and a notebook, writing another fairy tale. I never would have guessed those fairy tales would one day turn into gay romances, but that is where my heart led me, and I am so glad it did. I write about love because I believes it can happen to anyone, with anyone. I also believe dreams never expire, redemption is possible, and true forgiveness can heal us in ways we never expect. I know firsthand how messy life can get, but as any artist will tell you, a little mess is needed to create something beautiful. That’s why I write, to help others see that anything can be beautiful. You can often find me with a mug of coffee in one hand, and a dog toy in the other. There is never a day that goes by without my sweet boy insisting on a game - or twenty - of fetch.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18133158.Kim_Breyon
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/kimbreyon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimBreyon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimbreyon/
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