Cover Design: Garrett Leigh @ Black Jazz Design
Length: 48,000 words approx.
Rainbow Place Series
Blurb
Alex is about to turn eighteen and is firmly in the closet. He’s been biding his time, waiting to escape to uni, and finally come out away from the oppressive influence of his homophobic father. When he flunks his exams, he’s stuck in the small town of Porthladock—and what’s worse is that he’s working for his dad. The only thing that makes it bearable is Cam.
Cam’s comfortable with his bisexuality, but he doesn’t broadcast it. Young, free, and single, his social life revolves around playing rugby and hanging out with his mates. He’s attracted to Alex, but with the six-year age gap, Cam’s wary of getting involved. Plus, he thinks Alex needs a friend more than he needs a lover, and as their friendship grows, Cam decides he’s not willing to risk ruining it for casual sex.
When Alex’s dad finds out about his sexuality, Alex is suddenly both jobless and homeless. He finds work at Rainbow Place, the local LGBT-friendly café and Cam lets Alex stay in his flat for a while. But Alex would rather be sleeping in Cam’s bed than on his sofa. With them both living under one roof, their feelings for each other grow stronger, and the sexual tension is hard to ignore. Will giving in to it ruin their friendship and complicate things for Alex even more?
Although this book is part of a linked series, it has a satisfying happy ending, and can be enjoyed as a standalone.
4 Stars
I’m torn because I usually love Jay’s work, and the story was great, but for me, the romance portion fell flat.
I loved Alex. He is nearly 18 and closeted. Although, not enjoying studying business, Alex is still looking forward to going to university and getting away from the small town of Porthladock, as well as his homophobic parents. The only place Alex feels safe is Rainbow Place, a queer-friendly cafe/bar. There he meets Cam a sexy landscaper/rugby player. The sparks between them are electric, but when Cam discovers Alex’s father's identity he decides he’d rather not get romantically involved and asks Alex if they can just remain friends.
I loved Alex and after witnessing his father in action, I understood his need to be closeted. He was so sweet and I just wanted to hug him and at times knock some sense into him for waiting around for Cam.
I loved Cam when I first met him, but as the story progressed, he annoyed me with the way he continued to make excuses for not taking things with Alex from friends to more. I wanted to shake Alex and scream at him to just walk away and find someone who wanted and had the courage to be with him.
What I can’t deny is the chemistry between Alex and Cam. Once Cam finally got his head out his butt, they were amazing together, but by the time this happened I was frustrated and almost beyond caring anymore.
Although frustrating, the story, as with all of Jay’s stories was well-written. While not my favorite, still, a recommendable read.
*copy provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
4 Stars!
If you've read the first book, Rainbow Place, you briefly meet Alex and Cam when Rainbow Place was damaged. While I don't think it's strictly necessary to read the first book, I recommend it since it was a good read and you get the little details that help flesh out Alex's predicament and the secondary characters that give him a helping hand.
Alex feels safe at Rainbow Place while still living at home with his parents. His father is very vocal in his disapproval of most things Alex believes in, so he hides himself and avoids them as much as possible. Alex relies on his friends and the escape that moving away for uni will provide. He's ready to be himself and figures going far away from home will help.
Cam met Alex while his rugby team helps repair Rainbow Place in the last book. He's an easygoing guy and a great friend. Cam and Alex were attracted to each other when they first met. After a few drinks one night at Rainbow Place, they take a walk together and exchange numbers, both looking forward to more.
I liked both Alex and Cam. I can't imagine how hard it was for Alex to live at home with his parents' attitudes. I was so rooting for Cam and Alex to get together, but once Cam realized who Alex's father was, he put on the brakes. While I understood Cam's reasoning initially, I started getting annoyed as he continued to turn Alex down. I wished he'd have been more honest about his fears. They both knew the attraction was there, wasn't going anywhere, and everyone around them saw it, too. I was so happy when Cam finally made the jump and said what he wanted and needed from Alex. I was also really happy to see Alex surrounded by people who helped and supported him when his family didn't.
While I wasn't expecting the sort of slow burn this story had, I enjoyed watching their friendship bloom while Alex gets back on his feet.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
August 31 - Mikku-chan, Gay Book Reviews, Two Chicks Obsessed, My Fiction Nook, Lelyana's Reviews, My Mind's Landscape, September 3 - Katie's Book Corner, Cupcakes & Bookshelves, September 5 - Bonkers About Books, September 7 - Queerly Reads, September 10 - Amy's MM Romance Reviews, The Way She Reads, The Day Before You Came, September 12 - Wicked Faerie's Tales, Wicked Reads, September 14 - BooksLaidBareBoys, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, The Geekery Book Review, September 17 - Nicole's Book Musings, September 19 - Xtreme Delusions, Book Lovers 4Ever, September 21 - Drops Of Ink, Valerie Ullmer, Mirrigold, Lillian Francis, Making It Happen, OMG Reads, Bayou Book Junkie
One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.
Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. He has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.
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