Title: Beyond the Surface
Series: The Breakfast Club #1
Author: Felice Stevens
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: August 17, 2015
On 9/11, firefighter Nick Fletcher’s world changed forever. He's unable to rid himself of survivor’s guilt, made worse by the secret he hides from his family and co-workers. Nick's life is centered around helping burn victims, until he is reunited with the man he’d once loved but pushed away. Now he has a second chance at a love he thought lost forever.
For fashion designer Julian Cornell, appearances mean everything. His love affairs are strictly casual, and the only thing he cares about is making his clothing line a success. A chance encounter with the man he loved long ago has Julian thinking for the first time in years there may be more to life than being seen at the best parties and what designer labels to wear.
When Julian’s world takes an unexpected turn, it's Nick who helps him regain perspective on what matters most in life. Julian, in turn, helps Nick accept who he is and understand he isn’t responsible for tragedies he couldn't prevent. Lost love found can be even sweeter the second time around and after all the years apart, both men learn to look beyond the surface to find the men they are inside.
Foxy Rating = Five Stars
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
This is the first book in a new series The Breakfast Club
which focuses on three friends Julian, Marcus and Zach who meet weekly for
breakfast and catch up with each other. This book is Julian’s story.
Nick and Julian were once teenage sweethearts but when Nick
could not acknowledge he was gay he walked away from Julian. How could he be
gay coming from a traditional family with a hard headed firefighter father? So
leaving Julian broken hearted he went on with his life, so carefully planned
out to follow in his father’s footsteps as a firefighter. But then 9/11 happened
and the events of that day coupled with the guilt just left Nick in a state of perpetual
stagnated life. The only highlight he finds is in his frequent visits to the
burns unit, helping and supporting the young patients.
Julian has always been comfortable in his own skin, he knows
who he is and what he wants, and for a time that was Nick until he walked out
of Julian’s life. He has never forgotten his first and only love but he has filled
his life with his career as a fashion designer, travelling the World which brought
him to having his own fashion line and show. But then due to devious dealings,
his long awaited for chance in the limelight crashed and burned, along with his
reputation. Whilst drowning in his despair he comes face to face with Nick
again and the hurts of the past meet the hurts of the present.
This was a wonderfully written story with an insightful lesson
in second chances. I just love second chance romance and this pairing were a
delight to see regain the closeness they once had. There is a lot of angst,
guilt and sorrow to get through so it is not a light hearted read but
definitely an engrossing read. The first
part is Nick and Julian regaining their friendship which gradually built up to burst
pent up emotions that culminated in the passion and love that had been held at bay
for so long. The sexy times were oh so HOT!
I loved the backstory of the young burns patients and how
Nick and Julian work together to give both something to aim for to cast aside
the guilt and disappointments in their lives. But at the same time they were
building the foundations for their future together. It was also fabulous to see
Julian get to clear his name and amend his reputation and Nick to feel free of
his guilt and accept who he is.
A poignant and heart-warming story of love lost, regained
and the pain that it took to get there. This quote from the book definitely captures
the theme of the story:-
"We've been given a second
chance. Some people never even get a first."
Wonderful. Five amazing stars!
Julian was in the kitchen, sitting on one of the stools by the counter. He had a glass in front of him filled with what Nick presumed was vodka, having spied the Grey Goose bottle.
“Would you like a drink? I have beer, wine…anything you’d like.”
Nick shook his head, regret piercing his heart as he watched the hope drain from Julian’s eyes.
“I don’t think so. I’m going to head home. I want you to know how much I appreciate what you did for Jamal tonight.”
Julian stood abruptly, kicking the stool away from his feet.
“Don’t treat me like I’m some fucking stranger, Nicky. You owe me. It’s been eighteen years; you think I’m going to let you walk out on me again like you did before? After what just happened between us? After you fell apart? No fucking way. I’m not that same person and neither are you, obviously.”
Taken aback by Julian’s anger, Nick remained mute.
“What the hell is going on with you? One minute you’re tongue fucking me into the next century and the next you’re freaking out. I know I’m a damn good kisser, but this isn’t about us, is it? It has nothing to do with our past and everything to do with you and the shit that’s floating around in your head.”
Julian stepped closer to him and Nick, who normally couldn’t stand people near him, was rooted to the floor, unable to move.
“Talk to me, Nicky. Tell me what happened to you.”
He was so tired of holding himself together, feeling like at any moment he’d shatter into a million tiny pieces, leaving nothing behind but a pile of dust.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
The words poured out of him, flowing unchecked this time. “It should’ve been me. We all went to the Towers to save them. It was my day off, but I went anyway. I heard and couldn’t stay home; I had a duty to help, you know? But I lived and they all died. Why, Julian? Why did I live and they didn’t?”
“Oh, Nick.” Julian held him close. “I don’t have the answers for you. No one does. But I’m going to be completely selfish and say I’m so thankful you did make it and we’re here together after all these years.”
Unflinching green eyes gazed back at him. Clever, beautiful eyes that Nick could never stop dreaming of. Eyes that at one time had held the promise of forever, until Nick ruined everything with his cowardice and shame. Unable to maintain Julian’s scrutiny, Nick broke away and ran to the elevator, his chest heaving, eyes stinging with tears.
“Let me out. I need to leave here. NOW.”
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.
HOSTED BY:
No comments:
Post a Comment