Photographic Memory

by Aiden Bates

A man focused on success. An artist determined to make a difference. A fateful choice between love and money.


ALEX
I’m on the verge of burning out, but I can’t quit. I refuse to be poor, refuse to return to Texas a failure. My career is everything—at least that’s what I thought, before I was set up on a blind date with Jordan, the boy from my past I left behind.

Jordan is everything I remembered—a brilliant artist dedicated to making a difference in the world. He calls to my soul, reawakens the part of me I crushed in order to get ahead. How can I be with someone whose political activism threatens my very livelihood? How can I not, when he reminds me of the person I used to be?

A person who would make the choice to betray his employer and hand over sensitive financial documents in order to bring down a tyrant bent on destruction. . .

A person who is carrying a life-altering new secret.


JORDAN
I’m falling in love with someone who works for the most evil bank in the country—the boy I loved when we were kids. But he isn’t the same person. I know Alex—he isn’t a man without a conscience, a man devoted to nothing but success. The more time we spend together, the more I can see the familiar light coming back into his eyes. A light banishing the imposter who would choose murky success over ethics, sabotaging our relationship.

He’ll have to make a final choice—us, or his dreams of wealth. Have I gone too far, bringing Alex into my world of battling corporate greed? I don’t want our relationship to cost him his career, his reputation. . .

But maybe it should, if it means halting his walk down a dark path.

A path we now have no choice but to walk together. I’m expecting Alex’s baby. . .

. . .and Alex is expecting mine.

Photographic Memory is a steamy contemporary mpreg MM romance featuring friends to lovers, a dilemma between love and security, and the struggle to overcome negative forces and be true to one’s self. For readers who crave deep emotions, real life conflicts, and surprise pregnancy. Standalone with a HEA and no cheating.

Genres: LGBT, M M Romance, Romance

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2018

Reviews

[Marcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex worked hard to get to where he is. He got a full ride scholarship to college and is now working at a bank. The hours are long and he is on the verge of burning out but he can’t stop now. Alex refuses to give up his career. Because he grew up poor, he will not allow that to happen again. He needs this job so he can continue sending money to his parent. He will not fail no matter what it takes.

Alex’s friend and roommate see Alex killing himself with work and decided to intervene. He convinces Alex to go on a blind date with a friend of his. What a small world it turns out to be when the guy Alex’s friend sets him up with is a boy he left behind almost ten years ago.

Jordan is an up and coming photographer who also spends a lot of time being an activist in causes he believes in. When he reconnects with the boy he was in love with when they were kids, he is faced with a tough choice. As it turns out, Alex works for the bank that Jordan has fought against. He knows Alex is a good man but he can’t wrap his head around how a man like Alex can work for such an evil company.

When Alex and Jordan are together it is like no time has passed at all. They are learning new things about one another now that they are not kids anymore. Jordan sees the familiar light in Alex the more time they spend together. Alex supports Jordan’s activism but he still fears that it will reflect poorly on him and his career.

Alex and Jordan have to reach a common ground or it could ruin the life they started building together.

This was an exceptional read and I enjoyed it. The characters were well written and the story was heartwarming and gut wrenching.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Kirstin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was super excited about this book and the first part had me hooked, but the more I got into it, the less I liked it. It was just meh.

Alex works at a bank where he is picking up the slack from his superior. He's doing the job of 2 people, but he doesn't want to rock the boat. His parents live in Texas in a trailer and he's supporting them as well as himself. He's a workaholic and somethings got to give. When his friend sets him up on a blind date with Jordan, he can't believe his luck. Jordan was his middle school crush.

Jordan is an artist and has worked hard to be able to make a living with his photography skills. He also sidelines at saving the world by volunteering his time rallying against corporations and environmental abusers.

First of all, being that they knew each other in middle school, I was expecting some sort of flashbacks or stories from their past friendship. That never happened.

Second of all, they had NOTHING in common. They basically hated the other's work and couldn't understand their priorities.

Then a pregnancy came out of nowhere. I seriously wasn't expecting that for some reason. But, okay, so everyone is thrilled and at least Alex was worried about the future and finances, but then something stupid turned into a major fiasco, with harsh harsh words. And then the forgiveness.

I just couldn't get into the relationship at all. They were so different and barely made time for each other and yet planned an entire future together? I didn't love it.

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the second chance romance between Alex and Jordan. They were childhood friends that were separated when their families moved away. Alex was now living with three roommates and he works in a bank. Alex is a workaholic and he sends money home to help his parents while trying to plan for his own future. Alex's roommate Devon sets Alex up with a friend of his on a blind date and it turns out it is his childhood friend Jordan. Jordan is now an artist and is very involved in social causes and protesting different causes. When Jordan and Alex reunite, they both are very happy and admit they had a crush on each other. They begin a relationship but Jordan is concerned with the bank Alex works for supporting projects that he is protesting. Alex tries to do the right thing and change the way the bank is doing business, but he can't lose his job and hos mentor Chad is an ex who is pressuring Alex to stop seeing Jordan. Jordan and Alex have to find a way to have a relationship and work out their differences, along with dealing with pregnancy. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a little bit of a twist with the baby. I really liked Alex and Jordan together, i thought they really tried to support each other and respect their beliefs. Another great one from Aiden.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wabi-sabi embraces in art the imperfections. Perhaps that is what makes the relationship between full time artist / devoted activist Jordan and banking guy Alex work. Embracing and treasuring what is less than perfect and a little bit different

It may also be what tears them apart.

Jordan comes from a family with trust funds and pro bono lawyer on speed dial to support their causes.

Alex comes from a family who suffers from the change of attitudes to immigration, as he puts it.

Two unexpected pregnancies between them, a bully who works with Alex, and some holier than thou attitudes from the parents of Jordan make for a tough row to hoe.

will their love keep them together, or their fears, and their judgements, keep them apart?

Take a peek at a steam m/m mpreg/mpreg romance.

Destiny made this couple the one in a billion where both partners became pregnant at the same time.

Love and hard work, ongoing, might just keep all four of them together

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The love story of two deeply damaged men... even when they both think they are absolutely fine :P

I liked Alex, I understand him very well, and yes, I can understand that his anxiety can be overwhelming for those around him, but those fears come from a deep place and are rooted into his mind.

Jordan... yes, I understand why he thinks the world depends on his actions, but some of the things he did weren't coming for that distorted view on life that his parents gave him. Particularly, disregarding Alex's wishes about keeping it cool at the party. Things could have gone horribly wrong just because he wasn't able to manage his saviour complex.

But I liked them together, and I really, really pity them: both coming from a C-section and having to deal with two babies? Won't wish that to my worst enemy! I hope they will invest in A LOT of help :P

Sadly, John Hong does a great disservice to the story. His narration lacks rhythm and emotional deepness. It's, frankly, very bad.

My recommendation? Read the book :P

[Terry Sasada · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you not fall in love with both of the characters, faults and all. Alex and Jordan reconnected after being in school together in Texas, and now they live in Boston and each following their paths in life. They are so different... Alex and his family have struggled with finances for so long and now Alex is determined to work hard at the bank he works for and he sends money home to his folks. Alex is very uptight about money and worries so much. Jordan was brought up with having money but he was also brought up to fight for causes and protest injustices in the world, even getting arrested a few times. So amazing seeing these two come together and create a balance they need to be together. Knowing sacrifices had to be made on both parts for their relationship to survive. Even with outside forces at work to tear them apart. Awesome HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 - 3 Stars

I have to admit that I struggled with this book. I am a big Aiden Bates fan so this surprised me a bit, but I felt like this story was a little too judgmental/political for me and I had a hard time getting into the story.

I liked Alex, he's a committed, hard worker and he has a great heart. He is determined to succeed and does not want any distractions. He meets, well reconnects with Jordan, and there's a connection between the two right from the start. But Jordan lives a very different life, he's an artist and an activist, and proud of it. The relationship between these two feels genuine and natural but these two definitely face some big challenges.

The struggle for me with this book was mostly Jordan and his POV - I get that he's got his beliefs but he doesn't really beyond his own nose. It just felt very black and white to me. While not my favorite, the writing is good and these guys do find their happy.

*I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book

[Teal Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jordan and Alex knew each other in middle school but were separated for years. Set up together on a blind date they reconnect and begin a relationship. But they are in two different paths in life - one a banker and the other the activist who wants to brink that evil bank down. When they get pregnant with each other's babies will the stress bring them together or tear them apart.

I liked this story alot. They are both living a life they think they need to because of how they were brought up. The storyline was interesting and kept me reading. The characters definitely make you want their Happily Ever After.


I received this book as an advanced reader's copy and voluntarily am leaving my honest review and recommendation.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex's roommate sets him up for a blind date he is shocked to find it is Jordan.
When Alexs roommate sets him up with blind date it comes as a shock to find it is Jordan the boy he liked in middle school. Jordan is surprised by the change in Alex but they arrange another date. They get closer but Alex works for a large banks and Jordan is an activist who sees the bank as supporting the things he protests about. Alex finds he is pregnant and a short time later Jordan turns up pregnant too. How will they cope with two children financially and emotionally plus Alex has an ex who is acting strange. A MM MPreg romance to relax and enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lacrymosa Quiñones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was different to read and not just because of the double pregnancy either. It was a slow burn with interesting main characters and how their relationship and love moved along the way.

Character breakdown;

Alex: all work and no play kills people Alex! Lol oh was that sad to see how he worked so hard but still didn't live comfortably. But that's what happens when you grow up with nothing and don't want to keep it that way. So I understand where he was coming from.

Jordan: it is never a good idea to carry the kind of worry he did. If we all worried over the world we all go nuts! But I am glad he got it together for Alex and their kids.

Pretty good book, a serious but well written plot.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the characters, and the surprise factor in Photographic Memory. Alex is an anxious, workaholic, who works for a major bank that steals away all of his time. Alex is too busy with work to even think about dating. Jordan is an environmental activist who is busy trying to safe the planet, and despises the bank that Alex works for. Devon, a mutual friend of Alex and Jordan, sets them up on a blind date thinking they would be great for each other. They both have to figure out how to juggle their lives while making room for each other. Just as they think they are figuring things out, Fate steps in and blows their plans to smithereens. Can they work together to find a resolution, or is Fate handing them too much at once?

[Kirsty Mckenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about Jordan and Alex is quite beautiful and a wonderful story to read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it very much, they characters where complete opposite's and also has artist hearts that connected them. Poor Alex has way to much on his shoulders thats for sure. Jordans time is thinly spread but at least he is happy. 
I enjoyed the carefree harmony they had around each other.
This is a book you will love between sitting on the sidelines cheering for them, and hoping Alex finally gets some sleep. Its a humdinger of a book, I say grab it asap you won't regret it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Badh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex and Jordan loved each other as kids, but when they were separated, they fell out of touch with one another. But then Alex's friend sets him up on a blind date, and Jordan was the other half of the date. They fell back together like they had never been separated, but right now, they are dealing some real issues. Jordan is an activist and Alex's bank is pretty close to evil.

This felt really topical, with the activism and banks that may or may not be evil. There was a switch from most Aiden Bates books, in that it isn't quite your usual omegaverse type book, while it is still mpreg. It was definitely an interesting take on mpreg, and I really liked that part.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awful narration IMO, get the ebook.

I usually love Aiden's book, but this was a struggle to finish. The narration was terrible, and the narrator seemed to slow his voice down to a drawl, but it was wrong. I ended up listening at 1.50 speed on audible. Even then, the narration wasn't good, but at least it went quicker.
This is the first and last time I will buy a book narrated by John Hong.

Although I wouldn't say I like reading eBook's that much, I would have preferred it to this audible.

Photographic Memory
By: Aiden Bates
Narrated by: John Hong
Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins

❤❤❤ Overall
🎧 Narration
📚📚📚📚 Story
Read at 1.50 speed on Audible

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex and Jordan are an unlikely pair. They knew each other in grade school and were raised very differently. Alex is worried about finances and supports his parents as well. He allows a co-worker to harass him, under the guise of training and his father is in charge. Jordan was raised by activists who pressure him to continually do more, so much that he barely remembers why. He lets his father bully and run his life. It felt like Alex did all the growing and changing, even if some of it was from outside. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jordan is a photographer and a very active protester.
Alex works in a bank, more hours per day than is probably legal.
Chad, an ex of Alex also works at the bank but passes on most of his work on for Alex to do.
Devon, one of Alex housemates sets up Alex and his fellow protester Jordan on a blind date. Turns out they knew each other in middle school.
The romance that develops between them is anything but smooth. Jordan constantly protesting and getting arrested. Alex is always working and worrying.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has so many contrasts: Corporate world versus artist, company man versus social activist, privileged versus poor. And yet, when Alex and Jordan are together, they connect and none of that matters. But is their connection and love strong enough to withstand life's pressures? This is a wonderful, steamy friends to lovers romance with drama, angst, some humor, and sweet love. I loved the dual pregnancies. That was a unique and unexpected twist.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BookloverIAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really excited about this book when I received the blurb on it from booksprout; however, it turned out to be an ok/good read for me. This is definitely not my favorite Bates book but it was good.

The main characters of Alex and Jordan have their story told in well writen dialogue but it just lagged a bit for me from the middle on. It was a nice read but it's not on my re-read pile.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Penny Ellgass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex and Jordan have been set up on a blind date by a mutual friend. When they meet they realise that they were friends in Jr. High. As a matter of fact Jordan was Alexs' first love.
Alex is a corporate financial investment banker.
Jordan is a photographer/artist and a activist for many things.
They are oppisetsin most things. Join them on their journey through life's opsticles.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He will not to back to being poor so he works his socks off making money and even more. Then he was set up on a blind date and things may change as it was a big from his past. Can they break through the problems they are going to have? Will things get better if they can open up to each other? See if they can

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Photographic Memory by Aiden Bates is a wonderful story to read. I love reading about omegas and this story was no different. Aiden Bates is a wonderful writer and I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves Omegas.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judith AMcGuire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Aiden Bates' books. They focus on real life and the struggles all couples go through. Compromise is one of the biggest issues in any joining as well as not trying to change your partner to suit yourself. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars--3 stars for the story; 2 stars for the narration

The story was okay but nothing special.

The narration was spectacularly bad--Nice deep voice...BUT--wooden, stilted and painfully slow, even at 1.5 speed. Narrator didn't know how to pronounce MANY words, and this author doesn't really use much challenging vocabulary.

[Rebecca Zabik · Rating 5 out of 5]

The chemistry between Alex and Jordan was well written out. I enjoyed reading this book. Had a couple of great twists. I believe that this is a must read story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Solveig · Rating 3 out of 5]

I realy like the pregnancy twist of this book, both MC got impregnated by each other. Thise guys has some baggasje, there where a lot of hormones, stuborn males, drama and one crepy ex.
If you enjoy drama and mpreg this is the book for you.

[Katie Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Photographic memory was such a beautiful story i loved it

I was hooked from beginning to end i couldn't put the book down

There was intensity heat tears heartbreaking and heartwarming moments it was perfect

I voluntarily reviewed a advanced readers copy of this book

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally loved Alex and Jordan. It's really funny how strange things happen in life and that you never know when someone from your past just might show up.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book and was not required to leave a review.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was well written and fun to read. i enjoyed the dynamics and the characters. very interesting story.