Pay It Forward
(A Giving Back Story)
By
Nic Starr
Blurb
Forced to leave home as soon as he finished high school, Bailey McCreedy’s focus has been on earning enough money to survive. All he needs is a roof over his head and to keep his small mobile lending library running. Books are Bailey’s escape, and he loves to share the joy of reading with those who don’t have access to them.
Tom Brooks’s upbringing is very different to Bailey’s, with a loving family, a good education, and a high-flying job—that is, until things came crashing down. Tom opens a coffee shop, struggling to build his business and reluctant to accept help, operating under the misguided belief that he must pay penance for his sins. Watching Bailey work with the street kids opens Tom’s eyes to the reality that accepting help is not a sign of weakness, and that he is so much more than his past mistakes.
But as Bailey falls for Tom, with his charming manner, obvious care for others, and group of successful friends, Bailey’s own sense of self-worth threatens to tear them apart. In the face of intensifying challenges, he’s reluctant to confide in Tom, afraid he’s not good enough.
A bright future will require Bailey to heed his own advice—people aren’t defined by their failures or inability to live up to the expectations of others. It’s time for Tom to pay it forward, and Bailey needs to accept the help and love that Tom offers.
Buy Links
Details
Publisher: Self-published
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer of Simply Defined Art
Release Date: 11th November 2018
Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance
Setting: Sydney, Australia
Word Count: ~58k
A very 'feels real', sweet, mellow, feel-good tale with a couple of really decent guys.
4 Stars!
A very 'feels real', sweet, mellow, feel-good tale with a couple of really decent guys.
I think the thing that's stayed with me from this tale is how heartwarming and true it felt. It's about a couple of every day, upstanding-but-in-a-very-ordinary-way guys who want to do the right thing, who are not afraid of giving, and of giving of themselves, but who are wary of asking for anything and accepting help. There is no major drama, no highs or lows, simply what felt like real stuff that could affect Joe or Jane Average.
It's not a moralistic tale, just one that shows a snippet of what RL can be for people who're trying the best, but against whom the odds feel stacked - Tom who'd suffered a terrible betrayal and awakening, who works all the hours, and who struggles to accept the help offered by his three best friends because he feels he has to do it all himself. Bailey who's been let down by his nearest and dearest - and yet still worries and cares about them - and has had to make it on his own. Despite how hard up he is, he still helps those in need. Both men are givers, they're open and caring, but also a little closed off and defensive, though they eventually end up realising that it's OK to take a little love and friendship when it's offered.
The romance in this almost feels as if it takes a back seat to the friendship that the guys develop, and it was interesting to see a couple of guys who were so closed off but in different ways. There's not a ton of sex in this, but what there is feels warm and connecting.
I ended up feeling as if I'd had a lovely cup of English Breakfast tea on a cold winter's day - satisfied, warm inside and with a smile on my face.
ARC courtesy of the author and Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure.
Author Bio
Nic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn't give it up for the world.
Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told.
Nic loves to spend time with her family—an understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and a cherished Cairn terrier. Nic is a foodie and wine lover who lives in the city but is a country girl at heart. When not writing or reading, she is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country.
You can find Nic on Facebook, Twitter and her blog. She'd love it if you stopped by to say hi.
Author Social Media Links
Website & Blog: http://www.nicstarr.com
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Nic-Starr/e/B00MAWRRQG/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicki.nicstar
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NicStarrAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicstarr_author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nic_starr_author/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nicstarr_author
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