Title: Being With Him
Series: A Horizons Series Novella
Author: Mickie B. Ashling
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: 12/27/17
Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 145 (42K)
Genre: Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Transgender
Add to Goodreads
Pre-Order at Dreamspinner Press
Synopsis
Zeb Araneda leaves his privileged but closely supervised life in the Philippines to study architecture at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where his new roommate is openly gay Luca Dilorio.
Alex Boulet is a successful print model who appears to have it all, but on closer inspection, the ready smile never reaches his mesmerizing green eyes. Tired of living alone, Alex moves in with fellow model Chyna Davidson, Luca’s boyfriend.
Away from his father’s watchful eye, and with Luca’s help, Zeb learns to navigate his new environment, and experiences freedom of choice for the first time. This fresh perspective allows him to step out of his comfort zone and act on his attraction to Alex.
The holiday season has always been difficult for Alex. Sappy commercials tug at his heart, and storefront windows depict idealized scenes that remind him of what he’ll never have: a loving partner willing to accept his truth. Will this Christmas be another disappointment, or will Santa finally make his wish come true?
Zeb is Luca's sweet and somewhat naive roommate. His upbringing in a conservative Catholic Filipino family has left him a bit ignorant towards the LGBTQ community but his big heart and open nature has him embracing the newly discovered world he’s become part of now that he’s met Luca, Luca’s boyfriend Chyna and Chyna’s roommate Alex.
Zeb finds an instant connection with Alex, a man unlike anyone Zeb has ever met. The two form a friendship that soon leads to something more. Unfortunately, Alex fears what furthering their relationship will lead to. Cautious of his heart and body he insists they take things slow and finds himself learning to trust that Zeb might just be the one for him.
What I Loved: I loved the first few books in this series and I love being able to see what has happened to some of the characters I met at the time. The growth and the changes add a wonderful depth to the history of this unique family.
What I Liked: While I’m not very familiar with Trans characters, I think Ms. Ashling handled the story well. I was happy that we weren’t overloaded with information but at the same time, a good explanation of how Alex felt was given to us when he spoke with Zeb.
What I Didn’t Like: honestly, I found myself questioning the authenticity of the dialogue. It just felt so unnatural and formal most of the time. At points, the believability of their ages became a bit questionable to me. Mainly Zeb, who, while I appreciated the fact that he came from a conservative and Christian Family in the Philippines spoke as if he were much older and sometimes less insecure than we were supposed to believe. I didn’t feel as much of this with Alex but it was there with him and the others nonetheless.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.***
3.5 Stars!
Zeb is Luca's sweet and somewhat naive roommate. His upbringing in a conservative Catholic Filipino family has left him a bit ignorant towards the LGBTQ community but his big heart and open nature has him embracing the newly discovered world he’s become part of now that he’s met Luca, Luca’s boyfriend Chyna and Chyna’s roommate Alex.
Zeb finds an instant connection with Alex, a man unlike anyone Zeb has ever met. The two form a friendship that soon leads to something more. Unfortunately, Alex fears what furthering their relationship will lead to. Cautious of his heart and body he insists they take things slow and finds himself learning to trust that Zeb might just be the one for him.
What I Loved: I loved the first few books in this series and I love being able to see what has happened to some of the characters I met at the time. The growth and the changes add a wonderful depth to the history of this unique family.
What I Liked: While I’m not very familiar with Trans characters, I think Ms. Ashling handled the story well. I was happy that we weren’t overloaded with information but at the same time, a good explanation of how Alex felt was given to us when he spoke with Zeb.
What I Didn’t Like: honestly, I found myself questioning the authenticity of the dialogue. It just felt so unnatural and formal most of the time. At points, the believability of their ages became a bit questionable to me. Mainly Zeb, who, while I appreciated the fact that he came from a conservative and Christian Family in the Philippines spoke as if he were much older and sometimes less insecure than we were supposed to believe. I didn’t feel as much of this with Alex but it was there with him and the others nonetheless.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.***
No comments:
Post a Comment