Throwback: Ripped

 Lifeguard/artist Gavin White has been holding the ripped shreds of his life together by the seams. Facing the anniversary of his sister's death, he fights the dark call of dependency and is at the edge of succumbing when his best friend since preschool returns to his life.

Handsome geek-turned-hunk, Erik Clarke, wasn't afraid to come out and had been bold enough to kiss Gavin the last time they were together. Damn that kiss. Gavin wants more. So much more, but he was never brave enough to tell Erik his dreams. With his future hanging by a tattered thread, Gavin must trade one temptation for another or risk ripping his life apart.

Contains: Graphic language, explicit m/m sex, very light BDSM

Wow this is an awesome vacation read! It is short and sweet with just enough drama and angst to keep you involved.  The main characters, Erik and Gavin, captured my heart from the beginning.  I love books were childhood friendships turn into adult relationships the history and bond is usually so strong and visceral.  This book was no different.  It was just beautiful to watch them help each other through their problems. 

One of the most interesting things for me in this story was how the author was able to create a completely whole story in so few pages.  While I would still like to read more about how Erik and Gavin tackle life now that they have each other, I do not feel like the story was rushed or that I am missing important aspects. Overall a wonderful m/m romance that I would highly recommend.

This is a story about Erick and Gavin. Both long time friends. Erick has been in love with Gavin for years but after one kiss that Gavin didn’t take to too well. Erick thought he had lost the friendship for forever. Erick is your normal geeky kid that turns into a geeky adult, still living at home at age 24 or so.

Gavin is about as screwed up as you can get. Bad childhood, not much better adulthood, and has found his only release is through painting and kinky sex.

This story is set over a few days period. Erick knows that this certain day is a hard one for Gavin and even though they aren’t talking he still wants to be there for him. Gavin see Erick and is happy that he remembers and invites him back to his house. Gavin then starts painting Erick again, Erick being Gavin muse for years. They talk and Erick starts to find out what is really going on, and what has been causing this downward spiral for years. Even though Gavin feels he is not worthy of someone as nice and normal as Erick he still wants him. Erick finds that maybe Gavin is too broken after all.

Ok, DISCLAIMER - even though there is talk of BDSM, the only thing that actually happens is a blindfold. So for ppl that aren’t into hardcore, no worries, but if you don’t even like to read about talk well then I’d skip this book.

I was pleasantly surprised by this novella, just by looking at the cover… and pause…. Had to look again… YUM J and the title you would think straight erotica no story. But it was more the other way around, good story and the sex was not that steamy.  For so few pages the author did a great job giving us a detailed story on why Gavin was so messed up almost too messed up. At some point you have to say WOW enough, one person can’t possibly have all that going on. She even brought in Erick’s perfect family, great scene on the beach w/the dad! The down side was it could have used editing, if I saw the mistakes, then you know they were obvious.

The Wilder Roses (TWRP Erotic Catalog)

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Mia Downing started creating heroes at age four, but her heroes back then rode ponies to rescue her and only kissed her on the cheek. Today, Mia's heroes still rescue those in need, but the price of their toys and the expertise of their seduction leads to a whole lot more. When Mia isn't busy creating new stories for her readers she fills in as an underwear model for a prestigious lingerie company. She also lives in New England with her family and enjoys horses and knitting.

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