Title: Leaning Into Touch
Series: Leaning Into Stories, #4
Author: Lane Hayes
Publisher: Lane Hayes
Release Date: October 5
Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 80k words
Genre: Romance, Bisexual, Humor, Second Chance, Friends to Lovers, San Francisco, Office
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Synopsis
Josh Sheehan is unlucky in love and now… newly unemployed. He’s not sure what to do next, but he’s sure he should give up on romance. Especially after last time. His friends warned him that falling for the hunky Irishman was a bad idea. Josh can’t help feeling torn even though he knows it’s best to move on. But when an unexpected dose of family drama blindsides him, Josh finds himself leaning on the one man he’s supposed to forget.
Finn Gallagher is driven by success. He makes no secret that building a name for his tech company is his number one goal. Finn left home a decade ago with a ton of regret, a heavy heart, and a vow to never repeat the same mistake twice. However, there is something undeniably appealing about the self-deprecating man with the silly sense of humor that makes it difficult for Finn to remember why falling for Josh is a bad idea. It soon becomes clear they’re both in deeper than they intended. There is no way to remain untouched. And there is so much to gain, if they’re brave enough to lean in.
Excerpt
Finn smiled and fell into step beside me. It seemed quieter on the street than it was earlier; there wasn’t as much foot traffic. Typical for midweek, I supposed. I breathed in the refreshing night air, loving the faint smell of the ocean. I shivered and crossed my arms. So much for enjoying a leisurely stroll. It was cold as fuck out here. I picked up my pace, but Finn pulled at my elbow to stop me.
“Are you daft? Where’s your coat?”
“I f-forgot it at the last bar. It’s okay. I’m cl-close.” I visibly shook when the wind whipped up the sidewalk, sending a scrap of newspaper flying by us like a paper airplane.
“Let’s go back and get it.”
“No, my friend will give it to me later. Or her friend will. I’m almost h-home so—what are you doing?”
“Put this on, then.”
Finn shrugged his suit coat off and set it over my shoulders like a cape or a cloak. He was two inches taller than me and far more muscular. It was like being wrapped in his warm, cologne-scented embrace. The gesture was so chivalrous, it left me speechless for a moment. I knew he was just being kind, but I couldn’t contain my smile.
“Thank you,” I said. “Are you sure you won’t be too cold?”
“Where I’m from, this is a summer breeze. You need it more than I do. Now tell me about your mates. I’m relieved to know you weren’t out drowning your sorrows on your own tonight.”
I snickered at his paternal tone. “I’m not above it, that’s for sure, but no…I was with my work crew for one last happy hour. Marley insisted. She was the redhead with the awesome curls I was with this morning at the museum.”
“I remember. She’s the one holding your jacket for ransom, eh?”
“Yeah. She’s on a mission to find the perfect man for me,” I huffed, making sure he saw my eye roll before we turned the corner to my street.
“Has she ruled out women? You’re bi, aren’t you?”
“Honestly, I don’t know what I am anymore. I had girlfriends in high school and even in college but after the first time I was with a man, I haven’t been interested in anything but dick.”
Finn laughed. “Good to know.”
“What about you?” I asked, leading him down a brick path and up a short flight of stairs.
I leaned against the bright red door as I fumbled for the house key in my front pocket. In my head, I was planning a cinematic-worthy good-bye. Something lighthearted but sincere before we parted for the last time. It would have been a helluva lot easier to concentrate if he wasn’t standing so close and looking at me like I was the last brownie on the buffet table. I cocked my head and waited for him to break the spell.
“I like it too,” he said in a husky voice I hadn’t heard in far too long.
I gulped and licked my bottom lip as he moved in, bending slightly to brush his nose against mine. He surrounded me in every possible way. The heat of his body and the warmth of his coat draped me in a seductive cocoon. I felt woozy with a rush of desire so intense, I would’ve swayed on my feet if he hadn’t been standing so close. I set my right hand on his hip to steady myself and leaned in…just as he pushed away.
Finn let out a ragged breath and swiped his hand over his stubbled chin. “Fuck. I forgot how bloody difficult it is to walk away from you.”
“Then don’t.”
5 Stars
I’ve been looking forward to Josh and Finn’s story for some time now and Lane didn’t disappoint me, although she did keep my stomach in knots throughout almost the entire story. Some stories you can sit back, relax and just enjoy the ride, this wasn’t one of those books. Not that it wasn’t a great read or enjoyable, it’s just loaded with turmoil and tension. You want happiness for the characters, but you find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for it all to implode and go to shit. That’s what reading this story was like.
I absolutely loved Josh. He was sweet, funny and a bit awkward and although he’s 32 years-old, he comes across as much younger. I loved the easiness with which he moved through life, always trying to see the glass as half full, rather than half empty.
Finn, well, Finn remained a mystery throughout most of the story and I wasn’t quite sure what to make of him. I wanted to love him and see all the great things Josh saw in him, but he remained mysterious and I wasn’t sure I could trust him, but as he opens up to Josh and we learn more about him my heart broke for him. But even as my heart broke for him I wanted to smack some sense into him. Yell at him and tell him to open his eyes already to see and accept the amazing guy that was right in front of him.
Josh and Finn had amazing chemistry, something that Lane’s characters are never without, and the sex was passionate, sweet and oh so smoking hot. The unspoken feelings of love between Josh and Finn were visible in every gesture and touch they shared.
I loved seeing a bit of what life in the Castro is like through Josh and Finn’s eyes. Being from the south it’s hard to imagine such a diverse and accepting place to live, but Lane paints a vivid picture of the neighborhood that makes me want to hop on the next available plane and see it all first hand for myself.
I absolutely loved the side story surrounding Josh’s father and the realness of Josh’s reactions to the situation and I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat waiting hungrily for more information and page time for this part of the story. I also loved getting to revisit and hang out with Eric, Zane, Nick and Wes and I getting to know Grant, whose story I’m hoping will be next.
This was a great addition to an already amazing series, that was well-written and filled with raw emotion, beauty, passion and that witty dialogue, that Lane is a master at writing, and I’ll be sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see what comes next from Ms. Hayes. Very enjoyable and highly recommendable!
*copy provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review*
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Meet the Author
Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
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