The Next Forever (Pretty Amy #1.5) by Lisa Burstein

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Entangled Publishing – Ever After (January 13th 2013)

Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo

Synopsis: One night in college can change everything…

Away at college, Amy just wants one night alone without her high school sweetheart, Joe. So when he invites her to go to the library, she heads off on her own instead. How she ended up at a house party with the mysterious bad-boy Trevor is another story…

Joe so isn’t going to the library. He needs space from Amy, too, so he’s decided to rush a fraternity, to get back the swagger he had in high school. But it doesn’t take long for the brothers to invite him to the real rush here the beer is flowing and one particular girl has set her eyes on Joe.

Over the course of one wild night, both Amy and Joe will have to decide if their futures belong with two new people, or whether the next forever will have their first loves in it.

Review: Amy and Joe have started college after spending a wonderful summer reacquainting themselves and spending every moment together -  just the two of them. Suddenly thrown in a different setting where there are new experiences to discover, new people to get to know and new temptations, Amy and Joe try hard to remember why they are together in the first place. Joe tries to hard to hang on to Amy, while Amy struggles once again with who she wants to be.

It was great to visit with Amy and Joe and see them together after all they went through to resume their friendship and take the next step into couple-hood. This time around we get to read a bit of Joe’s side of the story and truly get an idea of what his feelings are toward Amy. Through his point of view I got to know him better and understand why he had his doubts and hesitations. I admired his loyalty to Amy, his caring side and his need to take care of her.

This time around Amy got on my nerves just a bit. I understand that what she went through previously had affected her in a tremendous way, but to her have question herself again and put at risk everything she worked so hard to achieve with Joe just didn’t sit well with me. Then again, she is a young woman in college trying to decide which path to take and her only other experience had been who she had been in previous years, so in the end I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and keep on reading.

I’m glad I did since I enjoyed reading how both Amy and Joe came to realize what truly mattered in their life. I liked how the author, Lisa Burstein, brought each characters’ point of view to the page revealing their needs and insecurities and I especially liked how they went about in resolving their issues. I believe that the author portrayed their relationship and the struggles of having a relationship at this time in their lives in a realistic and believable way. She didn’t hold back and make it an easy choice – Amy and Joe lied, pondered and weighted their needs and wants against what was best for them and their relationship. I appreciated that fact because it gave me hope that this couple had a chance of making it.

The Next Forever is a novella in the Pretty Amy series and in my opinion, it should not be read as a stand alone story. I believe that Pretty Amy, the first book in the series, should be read first so that the reader gets the full scope of what Amy has gone through and why she struggles with this particular issue and get the full story of how Amy and Joe came to be a couple.

I received this title from Entangled Publishing through NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion.

La Cala by N. Wood

Rating: 5 stars

Publish: May 8, 2013

Available at: Amazon

Synopsis: When Lance McCarthy chose Ibiza for his holiday destination, he didn’t expect to spend the week with Malachy Walsh, an Irish man dressed in blue striped pyjamas.

La Cala is an erotic short story that may well bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye.

Review: Lance was finally on vacation in Ibiza and he was going to have the time of his life. After enjoying the friendly atmosphere at his hotel pool, visiting some nude beaches and getting ready for the night, he heads to a club. His outfit for that night – a pair of pajamas. He was stoked to be there, but he was having difficulty drawing the attention of men. Lucky for him that just when he thinks of giving up, he runs right smack into a hard, muscular chest with tattooed arms. Noticing that he spilled beer on the handsome stranger, he offers to buy him another one and then it begins…

The grinning, the glances, the touches, the lust, the love.

Nat Wood did a wonderful job of drawing me into the story by having Lance tell the story. He was funny and adorably sweet. I enjoyed every bit of this story because the characters were so right for each other and their story felt very real to me.

Now, I won’t say anymore about this because the story is something that you should experience for yourself. But I will say that La Cala is an unexpected, sweet story that will leave you breathless for many reasons. Take my word for it – this story is packed full of overwhelming, unquenchable lust and many more emotions to make it an great read. Plus the setting is pure paradise!

I received this title from the author in exchange of my honest opinion.

Pretty Amy (Pretty Amy #1) by Lisa Burstein

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Entangled Publishing- Teen (May 8th 2012)

Synopsis: Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

Review: Amy has been hiding behind her friends Cassy and Lila so that she doesn’t have to confront who she really is. This comes to a halt on a fateful night where bad decisions will lead her to question her actions and her friendships, ending in her finally taking a long look at herself and deciding if she accepts it or continues on her self-destructing path.

I was immediately drawn into this story by Amy’s self-deprecating voice. From the start you could sense how troubled and lost she was and that it all came down to her not knowing how to relate to her peers. Although she did fine with her friends, you could tell my their exchanges that she was keeping herself at bay there too. She admired Cassie’s strength and Lila’s beauty, but she didn’t think she added anything special to her friendship, even when you could easily see that she was the more rational of the three.

I liked how the author, Lisa Burstein, took she told Amy’s story in a way that really gave me insight into everything that could be the cause for Amy’s troubles – her parents, her school, her lack of self-esteem. All these factors were presented in a way that felt real and believable. Through Amy’s detailed introspection I could understand where she was coming from, even if in my teenage years I didn’t experience most of what Amy did.

I enjoyed the range of emotions brought to the page, the secondary characters and what they brought to the story, but most of all I enjoyed Amy’s development into a young woman who accepts herself as she is and wants to take her future in her hands now that she has found herself.

Pretty Amy is a wonderful coming-of-age story that will tug at your heartstrings and make you remember all the things young people struggle with today.

Dojo Boys: Dragon & Crow, Volume 1 (Dojo Boys #2) by Alex A. Akira

Rating: 3.75 stars

Published: April 21, 2013

Available at: Amazon

Synopsis: This two volume fast paced pulp yaoi novel is an adventure filled journey with many twists and turns involving love struck men, martial arts, dancing, casinos, hotels, an amazing Manhattan loft, the NPA, the FBI, the Yakuza and a healthy dose of graphic smex.

In this Volume One, we meet twenty-three year old graphic artist Michael Black, a Native American student of Shotokan karate and learn of how his life gets turned upside down and inside out by a mysterious stranger whom ambushes him at the dojo he attends, one evening.

Review: Michael Black is looking forward to getting his brown belt, something he has worked hard to achieve. With a past filled with loss and pain and with no family of his own, he’s tired of playing the field and longs to find someone to love. Although he entertains thoughts of a relationship with his Sensei, Ichiro, he believes that his crush is unrequited so he doesn’t pursuit it and only takes part in meaningless hook-ups.

Then one night while at the dojo he encounters the stranger that will change his life. The stranger turns out to be Ichiro’s cousin, Kiyoshi. Suddenly drawn to the lithe, handsome stranger Michael agrees to help out his sensei in keeping the stranger safe while he is visiting. However, Michael can’t help but to act on his attraction and ends up not only opening his door to the stranger but also opening his heart.

I had met Michael and Kiyoshi previously when I read The Italian Connection 2 and I was looking forward to reading their story. This is the second set of stories I have read from Alex A. Akira and it was everything I’ve come to expect from him. The author has the ability to draw me into the story from the very beginning keeping riveted throughout and then leaving me wanting more from these character when the story has reached its end. I enjoyed the complexity of the characters, the action packed scenes and the sizzling-hot sex scenes.

I loved Kiyoshi’s vulnerability and admired how far he’d come in life. And Michael? Well he was adorable as he constantly fought his attraction to Kiyoshi. I did enjoy how they got together and how their connection grew as the story progressed. Their doubts and hesitations felt real and even though I am not usually a fan of the whole insta-love scenario, but I believe it fits this story well. I think that the best part of the story was how Michael and Kiyoshi both longed to be loved and how fiercely attracted to each other these two were.

I could tell you more, but the fun was in discovering the details as they were revealed. All in all, Dragon & Crow Volume 1 was a fun, hot read that had me reaching for the next volume as soon as I read the last page.

I received this title from the author in exchange of my honest opinion.

Sublimation (Acclamation #3.5) by Vee Hoffman

Rating: 5 stars

Published: April 16th 2013

Synopsis: Told from the point-of-view of Dominic Butler, Sublimation is a short, intense glimpse of our favorite boys set deep in the timeline of Intimation, the next book in the Acclamation series by Vee Hoffman, due out in June.

“You ask me why I love him. I mean, anyone probably would. People want to know about things they don’t see every day, and that’s understandable enough. Everyone wants to know it from my perspective. To corner me looking all concerned, like it will finally allow me to tell some truth they think I’m hiding.”

Sublimation has been written as a companion story to the Acclamation series. We would therefore recommend checking out Acclamation and Reclamation novels for full story background.

Review: So there I was trying to get my M/M Romance groove back when I remembered I had a little treasure saved up on my library.

My goodness, what a way to get back into the genre!

I sooooo want to hug Vee Hoffman for giving me insight into Dominic’s thoughts and feelings. If I had anything to complain about the previous books (and even then I didn’t) it would have been the fact that I still had not had the chance to know firsthand how Dominic was dealing with his relationship with Michael.

Vee outdid herself with this snippet into Dominic and Michael’s weekend. She brought an overwhelming range of emotions to the page that helped me to fully understand how deep the connection between these two is and how Dominic has grown into a matured, young man. Through his thoughts, I could see that he is open in exploring everything that his relationship with Michael entails. I saw how loyal he is to him and that his emotions run deeper that just a school boy’s crush on his teacher.  Yes, I had assumed this was the case, but it is so much better to be certain! I loved it. I could feel Dominic’s need for Michael – his passion, his love. But most of all I got to see Michael through Dominic’s eyes.

Sublimation was everything I wanted and then some! With only 38 pages Vee Hoffman has ratcheted up my need for more Dominic and Micheal. As I said before, I am emotionally invested in this couple and this short story just added to my obsession need to see them achieve their happily ever after.

Take Me, Break Me by H.C. Brown

Rating: 2.75 stars

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 10th 2013)

Synopsis: Reno Rocket, bass player for the rock band Dazed, thinks he’s on the straight and narrow but is his girlfriend just a cover for his confused sexuality? When the new lead singer, Tanner Star, walks in, Reno’s libido snaps to attention. His attraction to the famous rock star is immediate and disconcerting. Performing with Tanner every night blows Reno’s mind, and the moment Tanner grinds against him on stage, “curious” takes on a whole new meaning.

Tanner wants more than a lover. He wants a sub, and he’s willing to guide Reno into the world of BDSM. In turn, Reno wants to be everything to Tanner—lover, sub, and partner—but he fears the ghost of Tanner’s dead boyfriend will come between them.

At first they manage to find a balance and life is idyllic… until one rash action by Tanner plunges their new love affair into chaos. Will Reno admit to the world that he’s gay and face the media and his family’s wrath, or will he deny the love and exquisite attention Tanner’s world has brought him?

Review: Reno is undeniably attracted to Dazed’s lead singer Tanner Star. He fights his attraction, denies his sexual orientation and tries to stay away from Tanner’s side. However, the pull of their attraction draws them together into a passionate affair filled with new experiences for Reno and an overwhelming mixture of lust, need and loyalty. Can Reno accept what Tanner offers him? Will Tanner’s past come between them?

I have to say that I loved the concept behind this story, however I felt that it lacked in its execution. At first I found the characters interesting, which is why I was drawn into the story in the first place, but as I kept reading their dialog and each character’s point of view I found Reno and Tanner to be unrealistic. Their expectations from each other were not believable to me and I truly could not see how they could have built a relationship from the foundation they had established.

In addition to this, I believe that that the author did not developed the BDSM factor of the relationship appropriately. Don’t get me wrong, I am not an expert in Dom/sub relationships, but I have read A LOT of books about the subject and although there are different types of D/s relationships out there, I could not believe this pairing for what it was presented as. Yes, they were good together and their scenes were hot, but for me Tanner was no Master. It just did not come across the page as such.

I enjoyed the overall conflict within Reno and his family. I also appreciated Reno’s doubts and hesitations when he first came together with Tanner, I don’t think I would have been comfortable with them being together otherwise. But I do admit that as the story progressed, I found his submission to Tanner superficial. His change of heart was too fast for me be believable and although he did have a need to submit I just didn’t believe that he could give in that easily.

Take Me, Break Me may not have been what I expected in regards to its characters and their BDSM relationship, but their chemistry and sex scenes were very good, which pleased me since it was what I was mainly looking for when I picked up this title.

I received this title from Dreamspinner Press through Manic Readers in exchange of my honest opinion.

Never a Hero (Tucker Springs #5) by Marie Sexton

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Riptide Publishing (May 13, 2013)

Synopsis: Everyone deserves a hero.

Owen Meade is desperately in need of a hero. Raised by a mother who made him ashamed of his stutter, his sexual orientation, and his congenitally amputated arm, Owen lives like a hermit in his Tucker Springs apartment. But then hunky veterinarian Nick Reynolds moves in downstairs.

Nick is sexy and confident, and makes Owen comfortable with himself in a way nobody ever has. He also introduces Owen to his firecracker of a little sister, who was born with a similar congenital amputation but never let it stand in her way. When she signs the two of them up for piano lessons—and insists that they play together in a recital—Owen can’t find a way to say no. Especially since it gives him a good excuse to spend more time with Nick.

Owen knows he’s falling hard for his neighbor, but every time he gets close, Nick inexplicably pulls away. Battling his mother’s scorn and Nick’s secrets, Owen soon realizes that instead of waiting for a hero, it’s time to be one—for himself and for Nick.

Review: Owen has become a recluse due to his stutter and his congenitally amputated arm. He keeps to himself because he doesn’t want to deal with the pitying looks, the awkward comments and people’s impatience when his stutter makes an appearance. Although attracted to men, he has convinced himself that if he could just fall in love with a woman and have a ‘traditional’ relationship he would be considered ‘normal’ by others. However, as soon as his new neighbor knocks at his door he realizes that his attraction to men is something he can’t put aside. Drawn to Nick’s laid-back and easy manner in regards to his arm, Owen decides to step out of his self-imposed cage.

Nick is a veterinarian. He moves next to Owen and pursues a friendship with the adorable recluse. Although attracted to Owen, he keeps his attraction at bay for he believes that nothing can come of it, so he focuses on engaging Owen and helping him step out into the world. Their friendship rapidly develops until they find themselves facing their attraction head on. However, Nick has not been totally honest with Owen and his secret can make or break their friendship. Or he believes.

Never a Hero is a sweet, romantic story that made me sigh and left me wanting more of the sweetness. Marie Sexton returns to the series by bringing to the page a heart-felt story of new found love, acceptance and second chances in life. Both Nick and Owen were adorable characters to get to know. My only protest would be that I didn’t get to experience Nick’s thoughts and emotions first-hand. However, this did not lessen my enjoyment of Nick and Owen’s journey to love.

I loved how Owen opened up to other possibilities after he met Nick and how in the end he was strong enough to stand up for himself against the one person who always belittled him. I appreciated the fact that his development took place throughout the story and did not happen immediately. This gave credence to the realness of his growth, thus making me believe that his change was genuine. On the other hand, although Nick went through some difficult times in the story I enjoyed how he overcame them and stood by Owen even at times when it cost him emotionally. I believe that it was through his connection to Owen that he finally started to accept himself without guilt.

Marie Sexton did a wonderful job of telling Nick’s story in a way that was both realistic and entertaining. Her facts were accurate and Nick’s actions regarding his situation went a long way into endearing him to me because they went along with what I could perceive of his personality and how I think real people in the same situation would feel. Owen’s situation was also treated in a way that made me understand where he was coming from in the beginning. I loved seeing how both Nick and Owen related to each other and based their relationship on friendship and honesty before moving on to the romance.

Never a Hero is the fifth book in the Tucker Springs series but it can be read as a stand alone too. I enjoyed seeing the other couples that have been introduced in previous books, but I especially enjoyed seeing another side of Nathan. He was always a fun character when he appeared in other books, but in this title he showed a sensitive, more caring side.

I received this title from Riptide Publishing though NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion.

All My Life by Rucy Ban

Rating: 4 stars

Published: May 2nd 2013

Available at: Amazon

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Kari meets Neil Mars. “Neil as in Armstrong and Mars…as in Bruno.” A boy who beats every vampire, werewolf, highlander fantasy Kari has ever had. But she knows she can’t get close to him. Not ever. Because that would mean telling him everything. Coming clean. And Kari can’t bear the idea of changing the way Neil looks at her. Like she’s the only girl in the world. His reverence is something too precious to lose. Perhaps even at the cost of losing him.

But Kari doesn’t know why Neil calls her his ‘Angel’ and when she finds out, she realizes what love is all about. Boundless joy, unending longing and a fuckload of heartache.

Review: Kari has a secret that’s been eating at her since the day the encounter occurred. She is trying to move on and live her life as best she can – going to college, getting a job – but she’s still haunted by that moment and she doesn’t know how much more she can take. Then she meets Neil, a handsome young man that pushes all her buttons and sends her body on fire. Although she tries to keep her distance and her attraction from Neil, the guy is as persistent as he is gorgeous and little by little she finds herself opening up and falling for him. Only to have her past rear its ugly head and threaten to undo all she has work so hard to achieve.

Once in a while you get a story that not only entertains you and draws you in, but where the characters get to you and you become emotionally invested in their well being and happiness. All My Life is that kind of story. From the very beginning of the story I was hooked. I enjoyed Kari’s voice and the character she portrayed. She was young, prone to make mistakes, but she was also funny and independent with a strong will. I admired that about her and as the story progressed I could see how she developed into a matured, young woman.

Of course, I loved Neil. He was caring, handsome and sexy as hell with that grin of his. But what I truly admired about him was his loyalty to Kari and his mother. I would have loved to read his side of the story, but Rucy Ban did a great job of presenting him to me in a way that let me see bits and pieces of himself so that I could really see him and believe that he was the right man for Kari.

Rucy Ban’s writing was packed full of emotions, flirtatious banter and insightful dialog. All these elements combined with a great plot and interesting secondary characters made All My Life an great read for me. Oh and that cover? Awesome!

I received this title from the author in exchange of my honest opinion.

******

EXCERPTS from All My Life:

“I can take care of myself,” I tell him.

His lips twitch in response. “Oh, I’m sure you can, little shrub.”

“You are warned!” I take my voice down a notch and point my ring at him, “I’ll tunnel your leathery knighthood right out of this galaxy!”

Neil suddenly halts in his tracks and pins me down with his eyes. “Batman vs. Green Lantern? Batman wins. Every. Single. Time.”

“Ohmygod! So not true. In the…”

He cuts me. “One word…yellow.” I stare at him with my mouth half-open.

“‘Nuff said,” he says smugly and then tugs on my hand.

******

Maybe I’ll forget this feeling someday. Maybe it’ll just be reduced to a memory made up of a flickering gas heater, the salty dew of his skin and the love in his dark, inky eyes. This feeling of pure unadulterated joy. Of reaching a high so potent that your spirit feels like it’s soaring across the universe…and falling from that glorious peak only to find yourself enveloped in someone’s warm caring hands. When you feel like you’ve just died or been born, right at the same time.

It could be that I’ll forget this feeling someday. But I’m sure it won’t be anytime soon. Maybe when I’m a hundred and looking forward to my lunch of mashed bread. Not one single day before.

Behind the Scenes (Director’s Cut #1) by Liz Borino, Michelle Stevens

Rating: 4.5 stars

Published: April 24th 2013

Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: New beginnings are exciting, but we can rarely outrun our pasts. Steve Michaels and Zack Greene pack up their newly extended family and move to New York City with their nanny, Drew, and his two kids. Having recently been hired to write for a BDSM show, Steve and Zack use their loving Dom/sub relationship for some experience with the lifestyle, but they need a consultant to fill in the blanks. Alex a local Dom/club owner, can do just that. Everything is going smoothly until Rich, a ex-producer from Ben’s Life and the man who tried to ruin Zack, tries to get a job on the same show. And that’s only the beginning of it.

Zack and Steve offered Drew an opportunity of a lifetime working for them. When Alex shows up for the first meeting with Zack and Steve, Drew realizes he didn’t leave his past behind after all. This becomes more true when his ex comes back wanting to see the kids.

Can Drew trust Alex to help him get over his past? Can Steve manage to keep Zack safe from the man who has haunted him for so long? Find out what happens Behind the Scenes!

Review: Liz Borino is back with Steve and Zack from her Mine series, this time collaborating with Michelle Stevens and delivering a sexy, hot read with the addition of more complex characters, a captivating storyline and emotions galore.

In Behind the Scenes, the first installment in the Director’s Cut series, we find Zack and Steve moving to New York to start a new life and trying their hand out at being a family now that Sunni, Steve’s sister, is living with them. As part of their new life, they employ Drew, a single father of two, to look out for Sunni while they serve as writers for a BDSM show.

What ensues within this new arrangement is the merging of two families learning to adjust to each other and a new city while struggling with their own individual issues.

On one hand we have Steve and Zack adjusting to the new dynamic of their relationship, the challenges that arise with having Sunni and strangers living with them, a new job and the threat of an old enemy. Fears and insecurities arise accompanied with feelings of eagerness at trying out new things and contentment at finally settling down into a ‘normal’ life away from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood.

On the other hand we have Drew and his kids. A man who has have to endured much heartache to be with his family where they are now, Drew still struggles with the repercussions his last relationship had on his personality and his kids while adjusting to his new environment. All the while fighting his doubts that he deserves the second chance at love that Alex offers him. He hesitates. He questions. In the end, he gives himself to this new beginning only to have his past rear its ugly head.

Liz Borino and Michelle Stevens did a great job collaborating in this story. Having read Liz’s previous work but unfamiliar with Michelle’s work, I enjoyed how the author’s styles blended and even found it difficult to tell them apart at times and when I did it was only because the difference in writing styles helped to add more to the story.

As an avid fan of the Mine series, I was glad to see that Steve and Zack stayed true to themselves in this new journey in their lives. They were consistent in regards to their relationship – their behavior towards each other, the easy manner in which they resolved their problems. But while they were consistent, they also grew as a couple and as individuals, which I loved. I liked seeing them take new roles and experimenting with new things.

I found that the new characters introduced into Steve and Zack’s life added to the story. I especially enjoyed reading Drew’s story. Having met Drew at the end of That’s a Wrap, I found it easier to connect to him. However, having the authors inform me of his past and the reasons for the move to New York gave me the insight I needed to relate to him fully. Especially since he was so easy going and a great father.

As for Alex, at first I was confused. It seemed like he was THERE all of a sudden. To be honest, it kind of threw me a little bit. But I’m crazy about him. He had this vibe to him that I loved – dominant but caring and very honest. I enjoyed getting to know him and I appreciated that he was understanding of Drew and determined to keep him. That really did it for me.

Although a bit confusing at first with having different point of views thrown at me, I found that one I paid more attention at the transitions I could follow the story nicely without feeling overwhelmed by what the characters were contributing. Since I got to know the new characters as a result of the shifts in POVs, I think that there were essential for me to get a clear picture of what was happening within each character. I don’t think I would have gotten the full scope of the story otherwise since each character added to the story in his own right. For me, it would have been a shame to have to wonder about this or that characters felt or thought.

Although this picks up right where That’s a Wrap left off, Behind the Scenes can be read as a stand alone since the authors included enough information on Zach and Steve’s history to make it unnecessary for the reader to have read the other books. However, if you ARE a new reader, I encourage you to read Mine, not only because it will help complete the experience of Steve and Zack’s journey to where they are now, but simply because it was a great read.

I received this title from the authors in exchange of my honest opinion.

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Special Nobody by Brendan Spratt

Rating: 4.5 stars

Published: February 17th, 2013

Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo

Synopsis: At 22, Jason L’Estrange should have the world at his feet. Instead, he wakes on a dismal hospital ward to discover he has a broken foot and a multitude of other injuries. Learning he plunged down the stairs of Dublin’s seediest nightclub, Jason has no recollection if he fell or was pushed and the hospital psychiatrist is questioning if he may have had any reason to jump?

Accepting his life has spiralled out of control, Jason recalls the devastating climax of the feud between his two warring best friends Lizzie and Ryan. To add to his woes, he’s blown his final chance of a reconciliation with Alex, the only man who ever mattered, his alcoholic single mother has let him down again and Celestine, the girl who once gave him hope before breaking his heart has crashed back into his world with the missing pieces to the puzzle of Jason’s life.

Jason, Ryan, Celestine and Lizzie’s lives collide on a night out in Dublin when secrets thought long buried return and threaten to destroy what’s left of their friendships. When Celestine reveals the true reasons she was forced to end their friendship, Jason believes he has finally uncovered the truth to a mystery that has haunted him since childhood; the identity of his father.

Lonely but filled with hope, Jason wants to take you on his journey. The invisible boy who sits in the corner of every class, Jason dreams of a future where he doesn’t have to fight to survive. Struggling with a past littered with unanswered questions and fighting to make his desired destiny a reality, Jason reflects on how the desolate teen that fought to prove he had potential has ended up in a dire situation.

Review:  Jason L’Estrange has tried to be ‘normal’ all his life. He wants to be accepted. He wants to be loved. As a teenager, he kept mostly to himself, dreaming of having lasting friendships and making something of himself. As an adult, he loses himself in drugs and alcohol, sad at what his life has become, but reluctant to accept his life is spiraling out of control.

Brendan Spratt did a wonderful job of drawing me into the story and keeping me engaged until the very end. Although not usually a fan of flashback narratives, I found that it fit this story perfectly. My only complaint would be that the transitions lacked some kind of section break or identifying element as the fluctuations between the present and the past started happening within the same chapter. Other than that, I found that this story had the perfect combination of complex characters, range in emotions and realistic interpretation of events to make it a great debut novel.

I loved how the author took me through the story, letting me know who Jason was – his thoughts and emotions – so that I could connect to him fully and understand where he was coming from. I found myself emotionally invested in Jason’s well-being. I needed to see him make it through the hard times. I wanted him happy. I wanted him doing well.

Lizzie and Ryan added to the story beautifully and although I wanted to smack them upside the head a time or two, I grew to cherish them as much as Jason did.I enjoyed his interactions with them and in the end was happy to see that they survived all their problems and kept their friendship going.

Special Nobody is a heart-wrenching coming of age story that will tug at your emotions with every page you turn. By no means is this a light read, but it is an awesome read. My hope is that like me, you’ll be drawn into Jason’s journey, suffer through his past, yell at his mistakes and ultimately find joy at where he ends up.

I received this title from the author in exchange of my honest opinion.

____________________________________________________________

About the author:

Brendan Spratt was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. Although his father was heavily involved in the local Gaelic football club, Brendan’s mother recognised he was far too fabulous to get dirty on a pitch and instead enrolled him in the Billie Barry stage school. Leaving school, Brendan worked as a professional dancer while completing a degree in Electronic Media. Brendan has worked as a writer on the UK soap Emmerdale and currently writes for RTE’s longest running drama Fair City. He lives in Dublin city with his partner Gavin and their dog Rufus.

Connect with Brendan Spratt in Facebook, Twitter and his website.

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