AotM: All or Nothing by Felice Stevens (Reviews + Giveaway)

And with this post we got to the end of our month-long spotlight on Felice Stevens, who we are very thankful to for all the wonderful stories she's shared with us and for agreeing to be our Author of the Month during October! 💖

As for us, we're taking a bit of a break from this section until January, but stay tuned because we have a lot of surprises for you all to celebrate our 3rd Anniversary during November!

      

All or Nothing by Felice Stevens 

Publication Date: October 3rd, 2017 

Genre: Contemporary MM Romance

A past he couldn’t forget

Adam Barton is living his dream of working as a firefighter in his small Texas town, but a tragedy from his youth continues to haunt him. He decides New York City is the perfect place to start a new life and joins the FDNY, living and loving his own way—no strings and nothing personal. Until he catches sight of Rico Estevez, the sexy chef with the mysterious smile who rocks his world. After one explosive night together, Adam craves another….And then another. The more he and Rico are together, the more Adam wants him.

A future he never imagined

Rico Estevez is living a lie. For years he’s hidden his sexuality, afraid to hurt the career of his politically ambitious father. He’s the perfect American―the best schools, top of his class and most importantly, to his father, a successful businessman. Who needs a boyfriend when sex is so easy to find? Starting a torrid love affair with Adam Barton isn’t a problem; neither one is looking toward forever. But Rico’s father is about to get the chance of a lifetime and Rico feels forced to play by his rules.

Rules are made to be broken

Adam proves more unforgettable than Rico ever imagines, but he gives in to family pressures above personal desire. When a fire reunites them, both men discover their passion for each other hasn’t died; rather it’s stronger than ever. Want turns to need and something more dangerous to their hearts—love. Adam and Rico know if they want to have it all, they can let no one and nothing stand in their way of a life together.

5 Stars!!!

Learning to Love and its follow-up The Way to His Heart are some of my favorite books, so having met both Rico and Adam there, I was definitely looking forward to their story and Felice Stevens didn't disappoint.

Rico is hard-working and loyal to a fault, both to his best friend Gideon and his father. He moved away from Florida so he could sort of come out, but he doesn't want to ruin his father's chances at a political career, so he knows he just can't have a relationship with a man, and he's fine with it, until he meets Adam.

Adam is strong and protective, a fireman through and through, with a past that he just can't let go and that keeps rearing its ugly head, especially with some of the things he has to deal with in his line of work. My heart broke for him when I learned his secret and why he wasn't looking for a relationship.

Together, Rico and Adam were explosive, hot and intense. Their relationship didn't happen overnight, they took their time, even if they couldn't help falling into bed with each other and while neither was looking for more than hooking up, feelings got in the way.

I have to admit I wanted to shake the two of them several times throughout the book, more Rico than Adam, and I might have screamed at them (just a bit) to get their acts together already. I was really glad that they listened to me, too. Hahahaha

I loved seeing Gideon and Jonah and Ari and have them supporting both Adam and Rico. I adored Adam's parents, who were amazing! I wasn't too sure what to feel about Rico's father, but I guess at least he finally did the right thing for his son.

Overall, this was an amazing addition to the series and everything I wanted for Rico and Adam and more, so much more. The writing was stellar and the book was entertaining and passionate. Highly recommendable!

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement.***

5 Stars

Rico Estevez is a partner in an up and coming catering business. Very private, even his friends don't get too close. His Cuban heritage and his father being a conservative politician keep him firmly in the closet to his family. A quiet casual fling is okay, after all, New York is a long way from Florida! He's not looking for love, let alone a relationship. Meeting Adam at the Synagogue's fire may just change all that.

Adam Barton is a member of the NYFD. Far away from his home state of Texas, he lives his life out and proud. Trying to outrun his past, his job with the fire department and the things he sees are making the memories resurface. His guilt and past loss are consuming him, as well as the promise he made to never let it happen again, a promise he may not always be able to keep. Because of his past, he doesn't feel he deserves to be happy.

After much convincing Rico and Adam started a purely sexual relationship and soon that isn't enough. But both have secrets they are reluctant to share. As they grow closer it becomes a battle between their heads and their hearts.

I love both Adam and Rico, together they are explosive. There were times I was angry and frustrated and wanted to knock their heads together and times I cried over past hurts. Until they opened up and shared their stories I was an emotional wreck!! This story sheds much needed light on LGBTQ awareness and acceptance. Especially our youth who may be feeling lost or alone, kindness and acceptance can go a long way. Getting more time with Gideon and Jonah and seeing the brotherhood within the fire department was awesome. While I highly recommend the first 2 books in this series, All of Nothing can be read as a stand-alone.

I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. I started reading traditional historical romances when I was a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until I picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that my interest in romance novels became renewed.

But somewhere along the way, my tastes shifted. While I still enjoys a juicy Historical romance, I began experimenting with newer, more cutting edge genres and discovered the world of Male/Male romance. Once I picked up her first, I became so enamored of the authors, the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion of the books, I knew I wanted to write my own.

I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

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