This is my, I dunno, 15th slowburn of the year. AM I POSSESSED????????

2.5 maybe
Very bland

Even though this author and narrator were both new to me, I still had high expectations. I had seen positive reviews and the blurb sounded interesting. But, unfortunately, I ended up really disappointed.

It started strong, with main characters I hadn’t seen before, but it went downhill from there. Honestly, if you took the sex out, what would be left? There are very few other characters, and the plot is extremely limited. The deranged co-worker plot device didn’t work for me at all - the whole thing seemed ludicrous and silly. And for me, sex scenes can add to a great book, but they can’t redeem a poor one. Maybe other readers/listeners feel differently.

Bishop is the first book in a new series by the fabulous AE Via. I'm still so in love with many of AE's men and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting these new characters who are so different from her others. Bishop is out of prison and trying to get his life back. He's a different man now and he wants to make better choices. He's free, but he's still struggling. He's thirty-two-years old and can't read or write. He's working for his father's landscaping company and he's extremely talented in landscape design. When he meets Edison, he not only wants to get to know him but he wants to be a better man. For himself and for Edison. It's time. Edison isn't a social butterfly, but he's smart, dedicated and very good at his job. It's his life. He's working out, eating right and just being himself. He sees something in Bishop other than a gorgeous bad boy. He's attentive, sexy, smart and serious. Their attraction is quick, but their budding romance is a slow burn. Edison hires Bishop for a landscaping job at his house. They share meals, stories about their lives and get closer and closer. Bishop wants to take his time with Edison physically, he deserves it. This story is packed with emotion, humor and foreplay! Bishop's dad, Mike, is hilarious! He was a very young father and wanted them to be friends. Now he's stepping up and being the dad Bishop needs. Trent, Bishop's best friend cracked me up and I can't wait to learn more about him. Overall, I loved it. I loved the slow burn and the relationship Bishop and Edison formed. I loved watching Bishop become more comfortable, open up and laugh. He's sexy as sin! Edison is so sweet and cute! And I loved that he's a little bigger, and that Bishop loved his body!

4.5 stars.

— Insecurities were believable and character growth was steady and sweet.
— Enjoyable side characters.
— Didn’t avoid the hard topics
— Sweet romance between the two main characters
— Acted like adults
— Skyler’s behavior at the very end coming to the main character’s home was a little much. I think I could have done without that part. Also, I’m so shocked that Edison had basically no shock response to the fact that Skyler was in love with him the entire time! Whaaa?!

Just finished this literal seconds ago and I’m speechless, this was such a good mm read, I literally didn’t put it down. The emotion was just everything and I may have shed some tears for Bishop, he was just too cute. Him and Eddie are the cutest couple hands down and now I’m off to binge the rest of this series this weekend.

I was unsure what to expect when reading this book, but Bishop and Edison stole my heart. They were so sweet together, and they really understood what they each needed/deserved. My heart went out to Bishop, who works so hard to better himself, and Edison, who gets treated poorly because he is a little overweight. The side characters in this book are hilarious, Trent and Mike. The relationship between Mike and Bishop was so funny to read, but you can tell they have created a love for each other.

this definitely should’ve been shorter.
i like that it was a slow burn, as the MCs had to go through all of that to be together but it was a bit repetitive.
i loved the MCs and i think that they were perfect together, i loved seeing them overcome their struggles but i honestly can’t believe that super street smart, can read people with a glance bishop was fooled twice by an idiot.

This has to be one of the sweetest Via stories, it was also the slowest of slow burns I’ve ever read.

Narrated by Tor Thom, his baritone was perfect for these two. Not to mention the various additional side characters.

✔️Low drama
✔️Fabulous side characters
✔️Deep heart to heart conversations
✔️Virgin hero
✔️Slooooow burn

Bishop (32) has been in federal prison for five years. Now out and focusing on his future, he is working for his dad’s landscaping company with his best friend Trent. Bishop and his dad, Mike have only 15 year between them. I loved their unique dad/son relationship. Mike was more a buddy than a parental figure. He never encouraged Bishop to attend school, instead allowing him to roam the streets with a gang. Because of this, Bishop is unable to read or write.

Edison (26) is an old soul. He is very proper, never curses, and is always sharply dressed. He’s recently lost over 100 pounds after his father passed. He is an office manager for an attorney office. He loves to read, spending his evenings inhaling the latest thriller or spy novel. His office hires Mike’s company to work on their landscaping.

Bishop and Edison are so flipping adorable. Complete opposites in every way, size, demeanor, upbringing, education, but not in heart. These two have SO MUCH HEART. This was a very different Via story than I’m used to reading, but I still enjoyed it.

I only wish that Bishop would have told Edison about his illiteracy sooner in the story. If felt like everything was put on hold until 99% in.