Virtual Book Tour: Life On Pause by Erin McLellan (Review + Giveaway)

Welcome to the Life on Pause blog tour! Follow along as I stop off at several blogs this week to learn more about this small town m/m romance, which follows a nerdy museum worker and a high school choir teacher as they watch way too much sci-fi on Netflix, wear ridiculous historical costumes, and fall in love.

Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a $20 Riptide Publishing gift card!

About Life on Pause

Niles Longfellow is a nerd, and not the trendy type of nerd, either. He wears a historically accurate homesteader costume to work every day, has a total of one friend, and doesn’t know how to talk to guys. So when he gets a flat tire and the hottest hipster ever stops to help him, all Niles can think is that he’s wearing his stupid cowboy getup. Normally, Niles feels invisible to other men, but he’d take that invisibility any day over Rusty Adams seeing him in suede and fringe.

Rusty moved to Bison Hills to help his sister raise her daughter, and nothing is more important to him than that. He’s also fresh off a breakup, and isn’t prepared for anything complicated. But then he meets Niles. Rusty sees Niles as more than a clumsy, insecure guy in a costume. He sees a man who is funny, quirky, and unexpected.

Nothing about their connection is simple, though, especially the lies and insecurities between them. Niles doesn’t know if he can trust Rusty with his heart, and when Rusty’s sister decides to move away, Rusty doesn’t know if he can stay behind.

GoodReads | Riptide

4.5 Stars

Niles is having a horrible day: One of his co-workers upset him to the point of near tears and he forgot his street clothes at home, so now he is forced to drive home in his pioneer uniform he wears for the museum he works at. What else could go wrong? Oh, yes, he gets a flat-tire as he is almost home and of course, a hunk stops to help him!

I absolutely loved Niles. He was quirky and sweet and awkward. He felt innocent and a little naive, but Niles’ lack of self esteem and confidence and his feeling that he wasn’t good enough for anything besides a good time for men who treated him like crap was heartbreaking, but watching him grow and gain confidence was amazing.

I liked Rusty, but in some ways I felt he should have been more patient with Niles. Niles tells him he’s never had a boyfriend before and over the course of their friendship/courtship, he also lets on to just how inexperienced he is, and I just wanted to smack Rusty for the way he treated Niles at times.

Really, what I wanted to do was take them both and knock their heads together. While both men were hurting, they were also both stubborn and neither was willing to give an inch. I seriously wondered if they would ever get it all together or if there was any hope for them as a couple.

I loved the story and the backdrop. I thought Niles’ job at the museum was interesting and listening to him tell his stories was fascinating and entertaining.

The chemistry between Niles and Rusty was undeniable and the sex, omg, there are only a couple of scenes but it was beyond hot.

While I didn’t always like Todd, Rusty’s ex, he and Niles’ bestie, Victor, were interesting secondary characters that I think have a story to tell. Hmm..maybe even together? I love a good enemies to lovers story!

All in all, this was a sweet, angsty and a bit of a sexy story. It was well-written and easy to read. Very enjoyable and recommendable!

*copy provided by author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

About Erin McLellan

Erin McLellan writes contemporary romance, often set in the South or Midwest—particularly Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas—with characters that are complex, good-hearted, and sometimes a little quirky. Erin likes her stories to have a sexy spark and a happily ever after.

Erin has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree in library and information studies from the University of Oklahoma. She has always enjoyed writing, but becoming a librarian and meeting enthusiastic romance readers helped her find her own writing passion. Now Erin cheerfully writes romance with characters across the LGBTQIA spectrum. A former public librarian, she still enjoys being surrounded by books and readers, but Erin hopes to find her stories on the shelves as well.

Originally from Oklahoma, she currently lives in Alaska with her husband, and spends her time dreaming up love stories set in the Great Plains. She is a lover of chocolate, college sports, antiquing, Dr Pepper, and binge-worthy TV shows.

Connect with Erin:

• Website
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest

Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Life on Pause, one lucky winner will receive a $20 Riptide gift card! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on November 4, 2017. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for following the tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!