Taboo For You by Anyta Sunday
Series: Love & Family #1
Publisher: Anyta Sunday (self-published)
Original Release Date (Print & Ebook): 2013
Length (Print/Ebook): Ca. 70000 words / 280 pages
Subgenre: Contemporary gay romance, friends-to-lovers, found family
Amazon
On sale at for 99 cents for a limited time only: April 16 – 20!
Synopsis
Sam’s freaking out. He’s 30 in three weeks. And what has he done in his twenties? It’s pretty simple math: nothing exciting at all. But hey, he has three weeks right? Maybe that’s just enough time to tick his way through a 20’s Must Do List . . .
Luke’s freaking screwed. He’s come out to his family, and his friends. Except there’s a certain someone who doesn’t know yet: his neighbor of 7 years. Who also happens to be his best friend. Who Luke needs to tell the truth, but he just . . . can’t . . . seem to . . .
Jeremy’s freaking over-the-moon. It’s the countdown to his 15th birthday, and his goal is simple. No matter what, he’s going to spend heaps of time with saucy Suzy. But first he needs to get his over-protective, no-girlfriend-‘cause-you’ll-get-her-pregnant parents off his back. And what better way than pretending he’s gay?
Sam, Luke, and Jeremy. Three guys who have a lot of history together, and a lot of future too—
—well, if they can sort out their issues, that is.
“Taboo For You” is a slow burn, Friends To Lovers story with HEA. This sweet & cozy M/M gay romance set in New Zealand can be read as a standalone.
Teaser Excerpt
“I have a list.”
I try not to smile, but I know it’s slipping out of my control. Even though I’m not touching it, I can feel his 20s Must-Do List in my pocket, warming me through my jeans. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. I’m going to make my way through it. Also, so long as you’re still on a sabbatical, we should, I don’t know, do more stuff together. Catch up, you know. Hey how do you feel about sharks?”
Truth? I’m not a fan. In fact, they scare the crap out of me. I don’t say that though. I shrug. “Oh yeah, you know. They’re just animals.” Animals that can freaking tear you apart with their massive, killer jaws.
“Want to swim with them with me?”
Leave the “with them” part out, and I am all there. “Hell yeah.”
He smiles, and I know swimming with sharks will be worth it.
4 of 5 Stars
Ms. Sunday surprised me! This is a quick, sweet read that is relatively low angst. The name threw me off…but there is nothing taboo in the story.
There are a couple of minor warnings I’ll issue. There are three points of view – one of which is Sam’s almost 15-year-old son, Jeremy. Those of you who don’t like multiple points of view may not enjoy this. Additionally, from Jeremy’s point of view there are a couple of sex scenes. Those scenes are not graphic and are age appropriately immature, so they were only minor niggles for me. The main reason for Jeremy’s point of view is to further Sam and Luke’s story.
This is classified as gay for you but as I read, I continually thought Sam might be demisexual. His first relationship was with his best friend – Carole. As he reflects on his sexuality, he admits to never really being attracted to anyone else but Luke after they became best friends. Just a thought…
I love Sam and Luke’s relationship…I’m a sucker for friends-to-lovers stories and this one is terrific. Luke is pretty amazing. There are three particular scenes that stuck with me. I don’t want to mention specifics and spoil anything, but they are emotional and hit me heavy in the feels which surprised me in such a light hearted, sweet book.
The sub-sub-plot with Simeon and Steven was cute and I wouldn’t mind a story about them when they’re adults!
Jack’s book is next…I know this because I’ve already read it (I couldn’t wait) and let me tell you – I LOVED IT!
I hope this series continues for a long time!
Other Reviews
“It is wonderfully put together and it’s noticeable how much time, effort and thought is put in every detail. I highly recommend it to every MM romance fan out there, especially those whose guilty pleasures are mm reads with friends-to-lovers/gfy theme. It will put a never-ending smile on your face.” – PurpleBook – Way Too Hot Books (4.5/5 stars)
“The tone of the book is funny and sweet. The list is a presence throughout the book and I liked that. I felt this was well written and flowed well. It isn’t an action packed, angst ridden book. It’s a slower ride through the countryside. And I absolutely adored the ending. Perfect.” – Lucy – Hearts on Fire Reviews (4.5/5 stars)
“I know it may sound cliché, but this book made me laugh and it made me cry. Just witnessing the devotion Luke has to Sam and Jeremy is something we all hope for in a mate. […] I highly recommend this book…” – Jackie – The Novel Approach (4.5/5 stars)
“Having gone through my own 30th birthday crisis, I could empathize with Sam, yet knew he was in good hands with Luke, and even with the playful, totally teenage Jeremy. Everyone should have neighbors as nice as these three.” – Pat Henshaw – All About Romance (B+)
“Taboo for You offers the very best of a friends-to-lovers story: friends who didn’t even realize they had already become a family.” – Michelle – Joyfully Jay (5 stars)
*** Nominated for the Goodreads M/M Romance 2013 Member’s Choice Awards in the category “Best Gay/Out For You” ***
*** Runner Up for Best Gay Contemporary Romance (William Neale Award), Rainbow Awards 2013 ***
Taboo For You is also on the list of “Favorite Books I Read in 2013” at The Book Vixen, and one of Eli Easton‘s Favorite M/M Romances Read in 2013 — GFY / Gay Virgin
About Anyta Sunday
A bit about me: I’m a big, BIG fan of slow-burn romances. I love to read and write stories with characters who slowly fall in love.
Some of my favorite tropes to read and write are: Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Clueless Guys, Bisexual, Pansexual, Demisexual, Oblivious MCs, Everyone (Else) Can See It, Slow Burn, Love Has No Boundaries.
I write a variety of stories, Contemporary MM Romances with a good dollop of angst, Contemporary lighthearted MM Romances, and even a splash of fantasy.
My books have been translated into German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Thai.
Connect with Anyta:
Author website: http://www.anytasunday.com/
Author newsletter signup: http://www.anytasunday.com/newsletter-free-e-book/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anytasundaybooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anytasunday
Instagram: https://instagram.com/anytasunday
BookBub: https://bookbub.com/authors/anyta-sunday