Bryan Dane’s been living the dream—photography student by day, up-and-coming rocker by night. His summer goals are to earn his last few credits, graduate from NYU, spend as much time in the recording studio as possible, and survive the next few months without sex so he can complete his yearlong goal of self-imposed celibacy. Everything is on track, until he meets Oliver Newcastle.
For years Oliver planned a marriage of convenience with his high school BFF, but now that she’s fallen in love for real, with someone else, it’s no longer convenient. So Oliver came out to his family, quit his job, and left small-town New England for NYC, an intensive summer study program, and a chance to find his own happiness.
From the moment they meet the sexual tension between Bryan and Oliver sizzles. But Bryan wants no part of a relationship, and Oliver wants to sew his wild oats—he just isn’t sure how. Oliver seeks Bryan’s help navigating the NYC gay scene, which throws them together in increasingly more sexual situations until they can no longer deny they’re hot for each other. Bryan is desperate to keep things simple, but fate might have other plans.
Christina‘s review
4 of 5 Stars
I do love this series and I have been WAITING for Bryan’s story for so long! And yeah, that cover….
Ms. Stivali’s prose is just so damn good…in every book in this series. I’m struck by her talent…every time. This book can absolutely be a standalone BUT I really liked knowing Bryan’s history. Even though he was a bit of a mystery in the other books, I still felt like I knew him better for having read them. And really, the other books are great so you should read them too.
I don’t think I realized exactly how big of a mess Bryan was in the previous books. He’s been hurt badly and has pretty much closed himself off emotionally. He goes from being the hookup king to celibacy. He has a physical ailment that makes him feel weak and he hides it from everyone. He is the quintessential artist with extreme passion and deep emotions.
Oliver is an interesting character. He was willing to forego being himself – basically forever – and marry a woman just because they are best friends, want the same things in life and are safe with each other. I cannot imagine never being true to yourself like that. He couldn’t have been truly happy doing that. He is beautiful and has no idea. He’s a bit socially awkward but super sweet. He’s just an all-around good guy. I would have loved a chapter or two from his POV as I would have LOVED to be in his head to know what he was thinking.
These guys dance around each other as they get to know each other. When they finally, finally give in to what they want we discover how perfect they are for each other. Their romance is beautiful and passionate. They have an emotional and physical chemistry like no other. They are the real deal and I love them together.
What I didn’t love was the big manufactured break up. Bryan completely blew things completely out of proportion, blew Oliver off and Oliver didn’t do much to stop the downward spiral. They both love each other but just quit. And then the reconciliation was really rushed and just not enough for me. Honestly, the story was perfect until then. I wanted an epilogue but there wasn’t one so I’m really hoping we see more from these two…they really have so much story left.
Other books in the Moments In Time series:
MOMENTS IN TIME (a compilation of Books 1-3)
Meet The Author
Karen Stivali is a prolific writer, compulsive baker and chocoholic with a penchant for books, movies, and fictional British men. She’s also the multiple award-winning author of contemporary and erotic romances. She writes novels about love…like real life, only hotter.
Karen’s lifelong fascination with people has led her to careers ranging from hand-drawn animator, to party planner, to marriage and family counselor, but writing has always been her passion. Karen enjoys nothing more than following her characters on their journey toward love. Whether the couples are m/f or m/m, it’s guaranteed that Karen’s novels are filled with food, friendship, love, and smoking hot sex—all the best things in life.
When Karen isn’t writing (and often when she is), she can be found on Twitter attempting witty banter and detailing the antics of her fruit-loving cat, BadKitteh. She loves to hear from readers (and other writers), so don’t hesitate to contact/follow/like her at:
Author Web & Social Media links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenstivali/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarenStivaliAuthor/
Website: http://karenstivali.com/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/karenstivali/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/KarenStivali/
E-mail: [email protected]/
GIVEAWAY
Enter to win your choice of ebook from Karen Stivali’s backlist.