Ooh I can't wait for me...and bring on Trent and Wood :)

4/5

Why was this book so unexpectedly cute and wholesome? It was my first book from A.E. Via and definitely not my last, because I adore this book. The book can easily be consider as a slow-burn, adding to that the book is 450 pages long, it might be not for everyone, but for me the whole anticipating was totally worth it. There are tons of romantic, heartwarming moments which made me blush and 'aww' a lot of times, so it’s a definitely a book worth reading.

Honestly, if I had to choose which one of the two main characters was my favorite I would probably say Bishop. I know this man was an ex-con, but he was a walking perfection. He was nothing like any characters I had ever read which were in jail, he was patient, lovable, sweet, gentle, caring and would do anything for the people he loves. He wanted to give Bishop a world, even though he was insecure of his lack of education, which made him an illiterate. His love for Bishop was so pure and beautiful, every time he was calling him ‘handsome' and compliment him I wanted to cry for how cute it was.

"Why’d you bring me flowers?”
Bishop shrugged. “Because it’s Monday? Because I thought they were as sexy as you? Because I had the day off. Because I was thinking about you.” Bishop caressed Edison’s cheek. “Do I really need a reason?”

“Look. There’s still some shit I’m working on with myself that had me reacting the way I did last night. I’ve never cared about being good enough for anyone… but… I want to be… for you.”

This man was also hot and respectful. What can you possibly want more?

"Tell me,” Bishop said, reaching around to graze his palm over Edison’s ass. “How do you feel about public affection?”
Edison’s cheeks turned a sexy shade of pink. “Well, I’ve never had to answer that question before but I suppose I’d be fine with it.”
“Good,” Bishop murmured. “Because I’m not shy.”

“You drive that long to eat dinner at my house,” Edison said cheekily.
“I’d drive even further than that for a taste of you.”

"Bishop leaned down and kissed him again in front of Skylar. “I’ll see you later, handsome.”

Ughh, so hot.

I love reading books with plus size heroines and heroes, because too many books have these perfect-looking main characters with six-packs and a slim waists. Edison was described as chubby, but I love that the book didn't focus on him wanting to lose weight or hating himself for how he looks. He was such a cutie, but if he needed to he could defend and stand for himself. Most importantly, he was a book lover, and the moments when he sat with Bishop and read a book to him were the most precious. He did the whole Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe" thing when he was watching Bishop working in his garden


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and I would do that too, if I saw hot, tall, muscular, glistening with sweat men, who is pretty much obsessed with me.

Despite loving this book, I feel like it could easily be shorter. The beginning was a bit too long for my liking, and towards the end there was the final drama with Skylar, which I hoped would happen sooner. I will definitely continue the series, even though I think no one will beat Bishop and Eddie.

The author has a tendency to use over the top villains in her stories who don’t feel real and like a caricature. Skylar was too annoying for me to enjoy this story in peace.

And the other thing this author does is take the long road to get to the point. Slow burn is hit and miss for me and here it was a miss.

I thought this book started out great. And I really liked both characters, but it dragged on for waaaay to long. Bishop kept the secret for way too long. There’s a fine line!!

Bishop has had it tough and now out of jail, he is ready to start his life. Landscaping is his thing, he is an artist of sorts. When Edison approaches him to do some work at his home, Bishop is immediately attracted to him. But with his past, his secrets and his blue collar life style, he thinks Edison is off limits. Edison is the one though that can see through the gruffness. But can it be more than just a fling? And if not, Bishop won't let it happen. This is my first A. E. Via book, and boy can she write! This slow burn story had me listening, just so I could see what would happen next. It's not overly angsty or steamy, but it has a real truth to it. One that keeps you listening. It invests your heart, and your soul. It keeps you cheering for the underdog and wanting to beat down the bully. It's a true love story that will pass the tests and find your heart.

This type of story needs a narrator with many talents. First, being MM, it needs an alpha voice. Tor Thom brings it. His deep baritone is perfect as Bishop. And he immediately shifts to Edison, the more passive of the two. Next, this book is very emotional, and Thom enhances every aspect of the story with his ability to give the inflections and feelings in his voice to let us feel both sides of this couple. And lastly, it needs heat and passion, and there is none better for this task. Thom is an outstanding storyteller and truly brings the best out in this narration.

This just didn’t work for me on any level. The audio did it no favors. I didn’t connect with the characters, I felt the intimacy was severely lacking and the pacing was strange (super drawn out and then the last 8% was wildly chaotic.)

I think listening to this while reading another series that has me completely obsessed was probably a mistake on my part. So maybe this is a me issue and not the book.