In the Middle of Somewhere

Middle of Somewhere #1

by Roan Parrish

Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Debut Goodreads Author

Daniel Mulligan is tough, snarky, and tattooed, hiding his self-consciousness behind sarcasm. Daniel has never fit in—not at home in Philadelphia with his auto mechanic father and brothers, and not at school where his Ivy League classmates looked down on him. Now, Daniel’s relieved to have a job at a small college in Holiday, Northern Michigan, but he’s a city boy through and through, and it’s clear that this small town is one more place he won’t fit in.

Rex Vale clings to routine to keep loneliness at bay: honing his muscular body, perfecting his recipes, and making custom furniture. Rex has lived in Holiday for years, but his shyness and imposing size have kept him from connecting with people.

When the two men meet, their chemistry is explosive, but Rex fears Daniel will be another in a long line of people to leave him, and Daniel has learned that letting anyone in can be a fatal weakness. Just as they begin to break down the walls keeping them apart, Daniel is called home to Philadelphia, where he discovers a secret that changes the way he understands everything.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Queer

416 pages, ebook

First published July 10, 2015

About the author

Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia, where she is gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre.

When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through whatever city she’s in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.

She is represented by Courtney Miller-Callihan of Handspun Literary Agency.

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Reviews

[Baba · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 um stars. DNF @40%. Review posted July 13, 2015




120 x um

"I, um."

"Um," I say.

"Um," I mumble.

"Oh, um, I--"

"Um, yeah."

"Changing the subject: check. Um, he's…Well, he's…"

"Like Marilyn Monroe--she just, um--you know, she was a little banged up,…

Um…

"Um, yeah, I'll see you," I say.

"Um. Good night."

"Um, I mean…"

"Um, just--in my shoe--or…"

"Um, so, yeah. It's not hard to replace them," I say to Paul.

"I, um, I--did you fix my desk?"

"Um, I'm sorry, Bernard, what was that?"

"Um, well, …"

"Um. Is that true?"

"Um, you didn't did you?"

"Thanks. Um, should we go?"

"Um, I should--here, let me do the dishes since you cooked…."

"Um, my rage at the world was not cute," I insist...

"Um. Yeah.
"Do you tell Ginger everything?"
"Um. No," I say, completely lost in his eyes. He focuses on me like nothing I've ever experienced, like he's reading every blink and breath.

"Um," he says, "I'm not so good with computers."

"Um. Breakfast?"

etc.

Saying that all those ums annoyed the living daylights out of me doesn't even begin to cover it!

He has a PhD in English for Pete's sake and…um…like…okay. Okay?

Um seems to be highly contagious.

Not only Daniel said um, even Rex and the secondary characters had a tendency to use that I-don't-know-what-to-say-so-I-use-the-filler-um word.

I quote Daniel:

Yeah, Rex, can I have your phone number in case you ever want to talk to a socially awkward idiot?


Smiling, laughing or grinning

123 x smile, smiles, smiled, almost-smile

73 x laugh, laughed, laughing, laughs, laughter

25 x grin, grins, grinning

Makes a total of 221


30 x growls, growl, growly, growling

Rex had a tendency to growl a lot. Um, I shouldn't have been too surprised, should I?



The inner monologue is so tiresome.

Oh god, that is a classic blow-off. My face heats and my ears are ringing like they do whenever I'm fucking mortified. But I rip a corner off of the syllabus on my desk and lean over to write my cell number on it. Then I write Daniel, in case it's one of a dozen slips of paper with phone numbers Rex never intends to call. Christ, should I put my last name in case there's another Daniel?


More inner monologue for your perusal:

It's finally sinking in. I live here now. I live here in this tiny town. Everyone knows each other and I'm a stranger. They'll want to know me. Know about me. And then maybe they'll hate me.

(…)

Now, here I am. If I can just deal with my crappy apartment for one more year, I'll have enough money for a nicer place. If my car will just keep running for one more year, I'll be able to get a new one--well, a less-used one. Et cetera. One more year.



But beneath the stern expression is heat. It's dark and, okay, I can't see him that well, but I can feel his eyes drinking me in, sliding over my face and my body like he owns them. Me. Like there's not a force in the world that could stop him from taking whatever he wants from me. And I'll be damned if I wouldn't let him.

205 x okay

The word 'like' is also quite often used mid-sentence which I find annoying:

Be friendly and, like, tell people things about yourself?

"I mean, this town only has, like, four restaurants."

Then I remember Ginger's admonition, realizing I've said, like, four words and half of them have been swear words.

He slides his chair back enough to pull me onto his lap, something I thought only happened to children and, like, cheerleaders or girls who were about to get proposed to.


I don't know what's wrong with me. I reach out a shaky hand to touch his back, then hesitate. Maybe he doesn't like being touched when we're not fucking?


"I don't know how to do this. What do I talk about? What if we actually hate each other?"

*cue eye roll*

"Um, Daniel. You don't hate each other. You had a date the other night and, even though you apparently refuse to tell me about it, it went well enough that you're having another one tomorrow. (…)"


Other strange annoying noises

Uuunnghhh
Uh
Ungh
Unnhh
Hunh
Mmphfhm
Hunh


Endearments
baby, sweetheart, sweetie, pumpkin and babycakes


I really dig the cover but otherwise nothing worked out for me. Um, I wanted to give it less than two stars, but then readers would have accused me of being mean when I'm only being honest. I neither liked the corny writing style nor the characters in general and specifically the very pesky narrator, Daniel. So I come to the root of my misery. Daniel's constant 'ums' (if that should have been an "endearing" personality trait it backfired big time), his inner monologue ramblings and his issues in general killed this story for me. Daniel is highly needy, whiny and insecure and given the fact that he has a PhD in English, a prospective professor at that, his behavior astounded and infuriated me very much. I just could not for the life of me reconcile his personality issues and the way he talked with a mature man in a teaching position. Also, what irritated me tremendously was this…

"Grading always infuriates me. It's like my students don't listen to what I say at all. I mean, we go over thesis statements in class and I give them a handout about how to tell if a thesis is strong or not. Then they write these papers and they're just nonsense. I mean, actual nonsense. (…)"

After reading that paragraph I was saying to myself: Daniel, you are a self-righteous and pretentious asshole. Not everyone is as "intelligent" (um, really…hunh…um…unnnhh…ungh…like...intelligent?) as you are. As a prospective professor, I expect much better from you. I believe you're in the wrong business. You'd better search for another vocation stat. *facepalm*

Rex said:

"You don't know that," he says. "Maybe they're trying their best and they're just not as smart as you. Or they're good at math but not your class."

Daniel:

Of course I know he's right. At every moment other than when I'm grading, I know that.
"You're right," I say. "I guess it just makes me feel like I'm wasting my time trying to teach them shit sometimes. Like they don't care about it anyway, so why do I spend all my time trying to make them?"

(…)

Rex doesn't say anything. His shoulders are tense and his jaw clenched. He must think I'm such a pretentious ass right now. Really, it's never a good idea to grade while anyone else is watching.

Yep, you better shut your trap, Dan Dick. He made generalizations, was quick to judge and, even worse, lumped them together. I suppose that Daniel should have been portrayed as the poor sod with the puppy dog eyes, yet I just could not sympathize with this annoying prick.

On another note, I found it very interesting that Daniel who'd been a top, was ready to bottom immediately. Um…you know, he couldn't wait to let Rex stick his dick in his hole. I mean, like, rather sooner than later.

Another issue I had was Daniel pushing the alleged tear gland repetitiveness button by saying 'No one has ever done this for me, no one has touched me like this, or cared for me like this' one too many times. Repetitiveness is one of my biggest pet peeves and as you can gather it got on my last nerve.

"Do you want me to take care of you? Make sure you're relaxed?" Is that a trick question? Do I want him to take care of me? What does that mean? I don't want Rex to think I'm weak, but I don't want him to stop. I want this to be like a dream, where things just happen and one talks about them and everything is liquid and sleepy. I wish I were drunk so I could let him do whatever he wants to me and it wouldn't have to be my choice. I don't think I'm supposed to wish for that.

Sticking to the common and trite repetitiveness, it goes without saying that we have lots of body appreciation once again. Rex is huge, like, bodybuilder-huge. Um, I got that too. There's no need to beat a dead horse. Um…okay?

Around the 37% mark, there was an argument which escalated quickly and instead of addressing the problem and asking a simple question, Daniel lapsed into his common inner idiocy and acted like an immature kid and not like a thirty-year-old teacher. Whatever.

I have enjoyed, even devoured, quiet story lines in the past. This being said, it's very unfortunate that In the Middle of Somewhere fell totally flat in that regard. To be very straightforward, it was a total bore because it lacked tension and irresistibility. Nothing really appealed to me. During the prologue, when Rex helped Daniel out in the woods, brought him to his cottage and, after a kiss, slept in the same bed, they left me kind of perplexed. I didn't feel their chemistry. Later, when Daniel got the teaching position and came back to Michigan, a lot of things and/or situations were too awkward for me. But, as you can see, I'm only one of a few readers who didn't enjoy it. So it might as well be me and not the book. I think, however, that if the author could tone down the sugar factor and endow her characters with other traits, make them more likable, that is, I would actually enjoy her writing.

As it was, In the Middle of Somewhere proved to be another bust. Movin' on...

[captain raccoon. · Rating 1 out of 5]

WARNING #1: This review is brought to you by Grumpy Kat™ and contains "unpopular opinions."

WARNING #2: If you are one of those people who have an issue with negative reviews that contain quotes to get a point across because you feel they are unfair and taken out of context, then MOVE. ALONG. There's nothing for you to see here.

I apologise in advance for how long and rambling and lacking in eloquence this review is.

Right. To say I was looking forward to reading this would be a massive understatement. It was definitely a clear-the-decks-so-I-can-read-it-immediately-upon-release kind of book. So to be as disappointed and underwhelmed by it as I am, well, it makes my heart hurt a little bit.

Without further ado, let's get to the reasons why Grumpy Kat™ was activated.

1. The pacing.
A few weeks back, I read a really beautiful excerpt from this. It was a short scene that had the two MCs, Daniel & Rex, sharing a kiss. Even though it wasn't defined, it gave off the impression that this was their first kiss. I cannot stress to you how lovely I thought this was and it made me so excited to read the book properly because any build up leading to a first kiss as lovely as that, had to be good, right? WRONG. The problem was, this kiss (which, incidentally, was their first one) happened at only 5% into the book and came after they hadn't known each other for very long. Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy insta-whatever, but it doesn't work for me if the couple doesn't have enough time to establish some chemistry. So considering how Daniel & Rex met? I just wasn't buying what went on here. A consequence to missing the mark like this means it can leave the rest of the story unbalanced and lacking tension. Furthermore, there's going to be problems with the pacing if the relationship itself is low angst and the book is this long and meandering.
Creating conflict over the breaking of a table is a fail.
Revealing at 40% the MC has suffered a trauma in his past and then resolving the fall out from that by 45% is a fail.
Saving the main source of conflict until after 70% with it possibly being done as a way to set up a forthcoming book is a fail.

2. The narrator.
I have yet to read a book where I have actively disliked the narrator but still managed to love the book.
Strike one: Daniel was a 30 year old man but at times he read like an 18 year old YA/NA protagonist trapped inside the body of a 30 year old. Which was just. . . no. It was really brought home how much younger he appeared when he was on page with a character named Leo who was 18, because the way they both talked (not including Leo's propensity for talking with unnecessary exclamation marks!) was indistinguishable from one another.
Strike two: Daniel's inner monologues were terminally boring. I honestly gave no fucks about what he was thinking - especially when it was about teaching crap, or how big Rex's hands were, or how he wasn't worthy of good things.
Strike three: Daniel was an über whiny Judgy McJudgypants. He was a slightly judgemental dick while at the same time lamenting people who might judge him for being gay and covered in tattoos. Seriously? What the fuck is up with that? If the purpose of making him be that way was to elicit sympathy for his hard knock life, then I've got to be honest and say it didn't work.
An example of said boring monologue which manages to include some of my gripes about him in just the one paragraph:

What the fuck is wrong with me? Unlike my inability to answer Rex, I can think of about a hundred answers to that question. Like, I barely know this guy, so why am I so goddamned worried about what he thinks of me? Like, I should’ve left last night after we fucked and I don’t get why I didn’t. Like, I’ve never had a real relationship, so why would I start now?

And here's a quote from one of Daniel's less boring inner monologues that sums up what I feel about him perfectly:

I'd know his name and who was in his daily life, but I'd be waiting to find out that thing that would make me care about his story.

I had the misfortune of being in his head for way more than 300 pages and there wasn't anything I read in all that time that made me care even once.


Now we get to the semi-ranty portion of the review.

3. Repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, REPI-FUCKING-TITION.
The one thing I absolutely detest above all else when I read is repetition. It's distracting, I'm never able to look past it and unfortunately for books/authors, I'm like a heat-seeking missile when it comes to spotting it. In the Middle of Somewhere was incredibly guilty of repetition.

For your reading pleasure, I have the roll of dishonour of repetitve shit Part #1:

Um:

His hand is huge. "I, um," He bends down and looks in my face.

"What the hell? "Um," I say.

He slides my suit jacket off my shoulders and starts to unbutton my shirt. "Um," I mumble.

"Take your pants off." "Oh, um, I—"

"Why Marilyn?" "Like Marilyn Monroe—she just, um,—you know, she was a little banged up, so I figured she could use a star's name.

"Changing the subject: check. Um, he's.... Well, he's...."

"I'll have to see. I'm here for this year at least. Um...."

He still doesn't want my number, or....? "Um, yeah, I'll see you," I say.

I take her large paw in my hand and shake it. "Um. Good night."

Um, repeat, um, ad, um, nauseum.

Oh:

"Oh," I say.

"Oh, yeah."

"Oh, I'm Daniel."

"Oh, so that'll take you, what, two or three years?"

"Oh, it's boring; you don't want to hear about that,"

"What? Oh." I laugh, looking at the dog.

He's looking at the dog, not me. "Oh, yeah, thanks." I look down too. "Oh shit."

"Oh, oh," I cry out.

"That's pretty grim," he says. "Oh, don't worry about it. I'm doing laundry tomorrow.

Oh, and repeat ad nauseum.

I mean:

It isn't something I'm used to—quiet, I mean.

"You were in an accident?" "Are you hurt?" "No—I mean, I'm not."

"You're a film geek, huh?" "What? No. I mean, I just like old movies,"

"I can't stop thinking about him, Ginge. It's idiotic. I mean, I barely know the guy."

I don't pine. I don't wonder what they're doing. I never have. I mean, sure, I've had crushes.

"I didn't know you were going to keep her. I hope—I mean, I hope you didn't feel obligated or anything,"

"We get along pretty good. Well, I mean. We get along very well."

I mean, it was so cool of you to let me stay and then I just kind of jumped on you and—anyway.

"Just stay left. I can drive you if you want. I mean, I need to go back home and get my truck, but—"

I mean, repeat ad nauseum.

Smell/smells/smelled:

[...] but I crack the window to breathe the sweet smell of fresh air and trees anyway.

The fire consumes the paper and there's a delicious, earthy smell as the bark on the logs starts to crackle.

He's looking at me calmly and I can smell him on the blanket I'm wrapped in.

God, it's such a familiar smell.

The fire is crackling and the smell of wood smoke combined with Rex's scent is heady.

It smells heavenly.

As if in sympathy, the ghost smells of oil, lube and hot metal tickle my sinuses.

"He was skinny and smelled like cloves and he said he liked Kurt Vile."

But he's warm, even in a T-shirt, and he smells so good.

Make sure you have a good smell before you repeat ad nauseum.

Smile/smiles/smiled:

He hasn't smiled yet, but he probably has a nice one.

"Better?" he asks, and when he gives me his first real smile, it's the sweetest thing I've ever seen.

I murmur. He smiles at me.

Rex quirks an eyebrow. "Only with you," I say. His smile is slow and predatory.

I'm joking but he doesn't smile.

She smiles broadly at me, but her smile fades when she looks down to my arms.

Jesus, Daniel. Rex laughs, his smile wide.

Rex grins and it almost takes my breath away. It's a smile that reaches all the way to his whiskey-coloured eyes, wrinkling at the corners.

"Don't argue; just accept it," Marjorie says, and I smile.

*smiles winningly* Repeat ad nauseum.

Like:

I keep seeing, like, cherries in all the salads here.

"Maybe I'll keep the shop open and only give Thanksgiving-themed tattoos. But, like, literal ones. Like, I'll tattoo turkeys, Thanksgiving foods, the genocide of indigenous peoples, et cetera. Whattaya think?

"Um, no offense or anything," he says, "and I'm sure it's a good album and all, but that's kind of a lame present for someone who, like, carved you something out of a tree with his bare hands."

"Yeah, like, what nice things, so I don't repeat them."

"Like, because I know we haven't had that conversation, I know."

Like, what's so special about the things we hide away anyway?

"At school, people thought I was... like, learning disabled because I never talked and I..."

"Like, you know that feeling."

So, I drop the bagel and I'm just like swearing a blue streak, right?

And he looks at glasses guy behind the counter in horror—like, what the hell did you do to make this lady lose her shit.

Like, repeat ad nauseum, like.

I think it's worth noting that a lot of this wasn't just said by Daniel. If it was, I could maybe put it down to being a quirk of his and part of his vernacular, but as it happened with ALL of the characters, I was left in a state of being perma-growly.

4. The sex.
My lovely buddy reader also had a problem with this—but her issue was she felt there was too much. I, on the other hand, didn't have an issue with how much there was, I had ISSUES with what was said, described and what went on.

The roll of dishonour of repetitve shit Part #2—The Sex Edition:

Channel:

"Oh fuck," he says, but it's like his voice is coming from a great distance, far away from the feeling of his fingers zinging pleasure through my channel and his big hand stroking us together faster now.

And then, in the space of a heartbeat, we're one body, melted together as my channel adjusts to his size and he relaxes into me.

Every time he fills me he brushes over the spot that makes my whole channel pulse with pleasure.

The only thing I can feel is the empty throbbing in my channel where his tongue left me wanting.

It's like his whole channel is a fist, squeezing me.

I can feel my whole channel throbbing with pleasure and a little bit of soreness from his powerful thrusts.

Pulse/pulses/pulsing:

Every scrape of his teeth sends a pulse to my groin.

His cock is so hard he's pulsing against me and I can tell it took some effort to even form the words.

I can feel his erection pulse against my ass with the beat of his heart.

My own cock gives a final, sympathetic pulse, a few last beads of pleasure welling from me as Rex collapses on my back, his breath loud in my ear.

(As an aside, Kat Fact #171: My favourite kind of pulse is a sympathetic one. True story.)

I cry out at his words, my eyes squeezing shut as he pulses his finger against my prostate and my whole channel throbs with pleasure.

Yeeeeeah. So lots of pulsing and channel bidness went on... But that wasn't all. When it came to sex, poor Rex wasn't portrayed in the best light.

The man has a thick arse.

And a fluttering hole.

And he produces his own scent - Eau de Arousal.

And when his mouth was in the vicinity of Daniel's nipples it was shivery.

And his dong tastes salty and a little sweet, like a hot martini. ! ! ! ! ! !

Annnnd he also suffered with a weeping erection which, when I read it, resulted in this conversation with my buddy reader:

Me: Rex has a weeping erection. Does it mean it's crying?
Her: It's sad for the writing.
Me: What has an erection got to be sad about?
Her: It's featured as an extension of big, strong Rex. And his big hands.
Me: Do you think it's sad about all the pulsing?
"I pump him firmly and his hips pulse, driving me even deeper inside him. I can barely think. Every beat of my heart is thumping in my ears, pulsing in my stomach, and pushing blood into my cock until I feel like one big heartbeat, pulsing inside Rex's body."
Her: She missed out that Rex's body is big.
Me: Maybe that's why the erection started weeping. If the erection 'ums' then this will be a dnf.
Her: If there's a talking erection, it's a whole different book.
Me: I would read that book.

Moving on!

There was also inconsistencies and moments of what the fuckery? during some of the sex scenes that caused my buddy reader to dub me a Sex CSI after I began dissecting the minutiae of them. Pay attention, class, so I can explain what I mean.

He kneels between my legs, spreading them to make room for him, and kneads my inner thighs and up to the crease of my bottom. He takes me by the hips and digs strong thumbs into my spine, pushing my knees up and apart.

There isn't actually anything wrong with what is described here. After all, Daniel is laying on his stomach and Rex is between his legs doing his thing before moving his legs into what would be a kneeling position if his knees were pushed up and apart, right? But then if you continue to read the rest of the paragraph, you get this:

I squirm a little, trying to maneuver myself into a position that isn’t crushing my burgeoning erection.

After reading that is when I became confused. He was seemingly manoeuvred into a kneeling position, but if he was, then how could his erection be getting crushed? Does he have a dong that is comparable in size to a T-Rex's? Unlikely. So none of that made sense.

Then there was also this from the very next paragraph:

Rex lifts my hips easily and settles me back on the bed tenderly, then urges me down again, his attention returning to my ass.

Hmmm. His hips were lifted which proves he wasn't kneeling before, so how on earth were his knees pushed up and apart if he was laying on his stomach? Once again things don't make sense. Now if we take that last quote and analyse it on its own, you'll see it's also illogical because Daniel is lifted up by his hips and then settled back down, so if he is already on the bed, then how is it possible for him to be urged down again?

Gah! So many questions!

A good sex scene allows you, the reader, to be swept up in the moment. A good sex scene wouldn't allow you to get distracted by incorrect or implausible details because someone should have picked up on them in the first place.


Essentially, why I think this didn't work for me was because it was just too much. Too much of the stuff that doesn't matter or belong there - which was to the detriment of the stuff that should. Also, I should point out that I do know the problems I had with the pacing and MC are purely subjective, but the repetition and inconsistencies during the sex scenes are not and nor should they be. Those problems are ones that shouldn't even be there and any excuses made to the contrary are only doing a disservice to readers who are entitled to get the best book they possibly can.

And finally. If anyone thinks about coming on to my review space to tell me I'm wrong because a lot of other people love this book, or that I should be kind and cut the author some slack because she's a newbie, then prepare to feel my wrath before I block you. I know I'm very much in the minority with my thoughts, but all of this is just my opinion, okay?

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roan Parrish is nominated for Best Debut Author at Goodreads for In the Middle of Somewhere! Vote vote vote! It is SUCH a fabulous book! https://www.goodreads.com/choiceaward...



WARNING: This review will contain some serious fangirling.

This book is by first time author Roan Parrish, but after reading this, you probably won't believe that. You might think, oh, Roan is just a pseudonym for N.R. Walker or Amy Lane or K.A. Mitchell or any of the talented authors who write fabulous warm 'n fuzzy, angsty, contemporary M/M romances. Because this book isn't just good. It's that good.

Daniel Mulligan is a bright and talented college graduate working on his dissertation. He needs a teaching job to get his feet wet in the academic community and make some money to pay off his enormous student loan debt. The pickings are slim and the only college who offers him a job is in a small town in Michigan. Daniel was born and bred in Philadelphia, so he is in real culture shock living in a tiny community where everyone knows everyone's business. When he interviewed for the job six months ago, he made the acquaintance of a very large, gentle soul named Rex Vale. During this meeting, Rex shelters Daniel in his cabin after a minor fender-bender, sets and bandages a dog's leg that was hit by Daniel's car, cooks him real, honest to goodness food, provides him with clothes too large for him and a nice, a hot shower and a peaceful night on the couch watching movies and drinking whiskey. One thing leads to another and Daniel ends up kissing Rex in a drunken moment of venerability. While Rex does kiss him back, he refuses any other advances and puts Daniel in bed for the night. When Daniel wakes up, Rex is gone but leaves him coffee, toast and the number for a cab company for a ride to the airport.

Six months later, Daniel is back and getting settled into his new home (a pretty shitty apartment with a very uncomfortable bed) before he begins work at the local college as an English Professor. He has not been able to get the strong, silent Rex out of his mind during that six months and hopes to see him again. Soon.

Low and behold, Rex and Daniel do cross paths again when Daniel is out for a walk and Rex's dog (the one hit by Daniel's car) jumps on him and knocks him down. The passion that has been simmering in Daniel for six months comes to a head and the men end up getting each other off next to a tree.

It is slow going and weeks pass between seeing each other, but eventually these men start a relationship. The sex is great, the company pleasant and Rex helps Daniel with his homesickness for Philly.

We get to see the full progression of Daniel and Rex's relationship and the hurdles they need to jump through to make it work. There are a few bumps in the road, mainly relating to each others family, but nothing they can't overcome together. The angst level is quite low for the most part. Also, this book is told entirely from Daniel's POV, so we get a lot more out of Daniel's character than Rex's. But it is an undisputed fact that these guys are crazy about each other.

OK, I am not even kidding a little bit. I honestly want to make a 6 stars shelf because I think this book might be too good for the Fuck Yeah, 5+ Stars shelf. The way these boys handle their feelings for one another, the way they are both good, honest people (not a mean bone in their bodies) and the love that comes through the pages is a masterpiece. I can guarantee you that you will fall head-over-heals for Rex and want him to be your pretend book boyfriend. And the epilogue is wonderful and leaves you thinking and knowing that these boys have reached their HEA.

I can HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend this book to just about everyone. The only people I can think of that won't like this one are folks who like the dark side of their M/M stories at the exclusion of all others.

Roan Parrish reminds me of other, newer authors who came out of the gate at full speed like Renae Kaye, Riley Hart, Leta Blake, River Jaymes.

I cannot WAIT to read her next book.

Shit, that was some serious fangirl vomit, huh?



This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

~3.5~

This is a strong debut with sharp writing and well sketched characters.

Because the book is told from Daniel's POV, we are aware of his ramblings and insecurities.

But what about Rex, the shy, withdrawn carpenter?

I adored Rex. Rex is the boyfriend everyone wants: sculpted like a god, kind, smart, an awesome listener, good with animals, and really, REALLY good with his hands.

I desperately wanted Rex's POV; being in Daniel's head that long was a little annoying.

Daniel and Rex's relationship may be a case of insta-lust, but it's certainly not insta-love. Not counting the first chapter, the book spans five months and more than 6,000 locations.

I'm going to say it: this book felt LONG, too long.

Don't get me wrong; I usually enjoy long novels. But some of Daniel's inner monologue felt redundant, and the story didn't grab me right away.

I loved the heat between Daniel and Rex, but I wanted them to get to it already (and I don't mean sex ... just general togetherness).

The sex scenes, however, were pitch perfect, so fucking steamy I could barely breathe. Huge A+++ for the HAWT, raw SEX. The guys start off fucking against a tree and go from there.

MAJOR SMEX APPEAL!

I liked the focus on the relationship, although I didn't love all the secondary characters. And Daniel's family? What a bunch of douchebags.

The epilogue was a little disappointing too, although the ending is a HEA. I just wanted Daniel and Rex, not Daniel and Ginger. I had enough of Ginger in general.

To summarize: great chemistry, serious sexy action, interesting MCs, awesome dog named Marilyn, strong writing, BUT needed a dual POV and too wordy with sections that dragged (for me).

P.S. Rounded UP for Rex alone.

[Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is ME! not the BOOK!

Who is a quitter at 85% close to the end with 70 more pages to read:



um....um....um...okay...um...um....ME!



Time of Audio-book death 1:55 minutes. The narrator has a good voice. But he had the same voice for all the characters even the female characters. 😣😣😏

So i switched to reading.

Time of reading death 85%, i just couldn't take it anymore, i tried but being in Daniel's head is um...um...um....um... exhausting.

I loved Rex , even though he was too perfect, but i he was sweet, loving and just damn! adorable.

I felt the book was too long, filed with Daniel's repetitive thoughts. If all the repetitive words and paragraph were to be removed, this book wold have been 250 pages instead of 350 pages.

I liked Daniel a tiny bit to make it to 85% and then i couldn't stand him anymore. He was ok but he sounded like a teenager, not a 30 year old professor. And being in his head Oi! it was ok until um...its started um.... being um.... you know

“ Um, he’s…. Well, he’s….”

“Um, I’m not actually sure

Um.. you know

Our um encounter

Um because she is terrified

Um, I mean

You look um, edgy

Um, just in my shoe

Um hi, I say

Oh wait um

Ok wow, um..

Um, I am sorry

Um is that true

The UM became too much, and when i found myself starting sentences with um... i knew i had to stop.



The Sex was good until it became repetitive and boring. Um... i can't believe, um.. i am saying that. When it is contemporary and not erotica, i want to read about the um.. Romance not Sex on almost every page.

The side characters were so unlikable especially Daniel's family.

In the beginning i thought Ginger was Daniel's imaginary friend. It so happens she is the best friend. I liked her until she became too much. It was Ginger this, Ginger that.

Anyway for a debut novel it was ok, but too much, there was too much of everything.

Then again it is ME! not the Book, this book has received so many 5 stars.

I will um.. just leave this um.. here

Rex arches his back against my assault on his nipples and throws his head back. I kiss his neck and take his weeping erection in my hand.

[Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slow moving, opposites attract with a richly developed character-driven plot.

Tattooed intellectual in PHD program
Gentle giant woodworker and all around fix-it man
Small town happenings
Multi-layered side characters
Graphic and deeply intimate
Childhood verbal & physical abuse (not sexual)
Blue-collar vs white-collar issues
So. Much. Vulnerability.

The narrator (Robert Neiman) sounded like a friend, simply reading me a story. He fumbles with a few words and there are at time slight flow issues. It was honestly refreshing to listen to and unique, which was a good thing, considering this is almost 14 hours!

[Snjez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as good as the first time around.

I listened to the audio this time and I really enjoyed the narrator's voice. I think it was perfect for Daniel. I would give the audiobook 5 stars.

*********
10/2020 read for the third time, via audiobook

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad, just not for me. After trying for days on end to read this, I DNFed at 50%. More of a review to come.

[Mirjana **DTR - Down to Read** · Rating 5 out of 5]

**1/12/17 - Re-read via Audiobook. I need some Rex in my life right now.



1/26/17 - Finished my audiobook reread and though I'm leaving my rating below the same, I've decided to round up to 5 stars. I loved this book EVEN MORE the second time around and it just doesn't feel right rounding it down to a 4 star. I still stand behind my thoughts that some of Daniel's ramblings could have been edited out, but damn....this book is so damn wonderful!

-----------------------------------------------

***4.5 Stars***

"As long as I'm with you, I'll be home."

I absolutely ADORED and LOVED Rex and Daniel and their love story!!



That's exactly what this book is....a true love story....and a beautifully quiet one at that. Not too much angst, no crazy, over the top drama...just a beautiful story about two men scarred by their childhood looking for a human connection, unconditional love and a sense of home.

Daniel is the youngest of four boys. Completely different than his macho mechanic brothers. He's an academic, not very interested in cars...and gay. His father and brothers have no idea how to relate to him so they alienate him. They make fun of his sexual orientation and think he's snooty and a know-it-all for pursuing a graduate degree.

He finds himself in a a nowhere town in Michigan student teaching. One fateful night he runs into Rex and their connection is instantaneous. Is it insta-lust? Hell yes. These two are completely combustible and scorching hot!! Is it insta-love? Not at all.

Michigan is so different from Daniel's life in Philadelphia. He doesn't have his usual outlets to hide behind. No bars, no booze, no random hookups...not even his best friend (and only friend) Ginger.

There's nowhere to hide here. No blending in or fucking off. I've never felt so terrified or so exposed.

Rex is a bear of a man. Tall, strong and burly...but sweet, compassionate and tender down to his bones. Rex lives in a cabin in the woods. He's kind of the town maintenance man. He does odd jobs for people who need it, but he spends most of his time in his woodshop making furniture. He keeps his head down and doesn't interact with people much. He's shy and a bit of a recluse. Due to his nomadic childhood and other issues, he has a hard time connecting and opening up to others. But there's something about Daniel...the two share a connection that can't be denied. A comfort with each other that flows easily.

Daniel's never met anyone quite like Rex. It unnerves him how quickly he's become comfortable with Rex. He's terrified of what it all means, but completely mesmerized by the sensations Rex pulls out of him.

No one has ever touched me like this. Cared for me like this. It's like Rex thinks of my body as something he's responsible for. Something precious.

He touches me all the time. It's almost like he doesn't notice it. Like I'm just an extension of his body and so of course he would touch me. But, no, that makes it sound thoughtless. It's like when I'm near him he decides that it's his right to touch me. It makes me feel so connected to him.

Their romance is a slow burn. Almost a living breathing thing slowly growing, evolving, adapting and fusing two lonely hearts.

Told entirely from Daniel's POV, you really see him struggle to accept that good things can happen to him...that someone like Rex could love and care for him. But you also feel Rex's emotions. His shy vulnerability peeks through with quiet actions, soft touches and whispered words.

"I think you're perfect. I mean, shit, that sounded sappy, but, I mean perfect in my opinion." Ugh, how do I explain what I mean? That all those things that he is came together like the perfect recipe.

"For you?" Rex says.

"Hmm?"

"Perfect for you, maybe?" He looks shy and pleased. All I can do is nod.

Little by little both men begin to realize that what they have is real and deep and important...and meaningful. They easily open up to each other about their pasts, their childhoods, their fears and their dreams. Shy and vulnerable Rex begins to put scarred and broken Daniel back together again.

There's something about Rex that makes me feel calm. As if I'm scattered until the moment I see him and when he touches me I fly back together in a configuration that makes sense.

And Daniel gives Rex the outlet he needs to be the man he wants to be. To care for someone, to put roots down with someone and to build a life with someone. To have someone accept him wholeheartedly and unconditionally.

Maybe the point of I LOVE YOU is that it IS a tether. A connection so you can find your way back to someone even when shit seems huge and unmanageable on your own. A promise to help just because you care about someone, a promise to help that doesn't mean pulling away.

Both men grow and become better versions of themselves with the love of the other (even though Rex was pretty perfect already in my eyes). They complete each other, help each other and ultimately, unconditionally love each other.

They've found the stability and home they were both looking for and were pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't in a small town in Michigan or in a cabin in the woods....it was with each other.

"The other night, you said that we mean different things when we say I love you. That you don't know what it means to have someone love you. This is what it means. It means doing things together and learning what each other needs. I give you what you need. You give me what I need. And they're not the same. And that's fine. It's not too good to be true. It's just good."

Rex and Daniel absolutely stole my heart. My heart was beating out of my chest at the beauty, sensuality, passion and love pouring out of every touch and tender moment. Was it hard being only in Daniel's head at times? Yes. Would I have liked a little bit from Rex's POV? Yes. But I understood that this was a deeper journey for Daniel. He had more to accept, more to overcome, more to feel. And just because you don't get Rex's POV, doesn't mean you don't feel every bit of him as well.

So all this gushing and why not 5 stars? I feel like the book is too long and could have been edited down. There was too much rambling and too many tangents that didn't add anything to the story or character development. This book could EASILY be trimmed down and you would get the exact same emotion.

For a debut novel, Roan Parrish made quite the entrance in my opinion. With a beautiful story of two lonely men looking for home, she's made a huge fan in me. I can't wait to see what else is in store from her!


------------------------------------------

Between the blurb and THAT cover....

[D.L. Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧

This book is understated. It’s easy and laid back but layered with so much nuance. The relationship that grows between Daniel and Rex is slow paced and realistic. The emotions they felt were so organic it felt like I was a fly on the wall witnessing a real couple.

I loved this book in the same way that I loved the show Gilmore Girls and I’m obsessed with that show. It had all the small town feels, especially when the local coffee shop named a drink after Daniel and insisted he order it by name. All the gossip that always got back to the star of said gossip.

Not to mention the colorful array of interesting characters, far too many to name. The standouts are Ginger (who’s not a local) and Leo. God, let me count the ways that I adore Ginger, I wish that she were real and that she was my best friend. Hell, I wish they were all real and they counted me among their closest friends.

If I hadn’t already loved this book the mention of the weird, crazy horror movie American Gothic would’ve made me adore it. Seriously, I haven’t seen that weird ass movie since I was a kid and I’ve been on the look out for it to no avail.

Last but certainly not least the steam. For a long while I thought I might be becoming anesthetized to smut, too much of a good thing. But this book erased all those thoughts because my God! These two men burned up the pages and my ears with how freaking hot they were whether it was between the sheets or against a tree.

One more thing, the audio was perfect, Robert Nieman was just as understated with just the right amount of emotion in his voice to make this story sing. He needs to do more because I looked up his catalogue and it was far too short.

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

This book was slooooooooow! Too slow. And loooooooooong. Too long. But damn if I didn't still really enjoy it.

This was a romance. A simple, sweet, no fuss romance. And I ate it up.



The sex - off the charts HOT!

I loved, loved, loved Will! And Leo! I can't wait for their book! Colin however...



...he better have a damn good reason for acting like an ass!

If I'm being completely honest, Daniel annoyed me a bit throughout the whole book. But Rex more than made up for Daniel. He was...



The writing was great. The love story quite beautiful.

"I came here because I didn't have anywhere else to go. Didn't have anyone. And now...As long as I'm with you, I'll be home."

[.Lili. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly this was not for me.



The book felt unnecessarily long and I quickly got bored with Daniel's thoughts. 2 Stars.

[Dia · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars

I can't believe how much I adored this book! I've read it in one sitting.
This author surely knows how to develop the action. I got super invested into the story. So much that I just couldn't seem to put it down. I was dying to read more. Now I keep wondering what took me so long to get to it!

I loved the writing, the story, the MC's and yes, I simply adored Rex!!! He was so kind and sweet even if he was a mountain of a man.

I just can't believe this is the author's debut book! I bow my head before her! I really couldn't stop reading. Rex and Daniel were super HOT together. I love how their relationship developed and the ending was extremely sweet. I hope we'll get a chance to revisit them in book #2.

There were some surprises on the road and I was extremely happy with the secondary characters: Leo and Ginger. I think I adored this story more because of them. Ohhh, they were the cherries on the cake for me.
I just LOVE to chuckle while reading. I think this gives a good book what it takes to become a great one. At least for me. It's not easy for a writer to give his characters good humor. I think here Roan Parrish did a great job by creating these secondary characters who gave me such great vibes and well added uniqueness to the story. Rainbows and unicorns are easy to develop. Great humor, not really.

I adored sassy Leo. He really is a younger version of Daniel and I completely get why they became friends. I saw we get his story in book #3. And I can't believe his love interest is no one else than Will!!! Oh I simply adore his smart mouth! He also seems to have a strong personality. I wonder what he hides.

I can't wait to read more from this author.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, let's take a moment to appreciate that book cover.


Now wipe that drool off your chin.



Given that insanely hot cover, an interesting blurb, and the raving pre-release reviews, I was stoked to read 'In the Middle of Somewhere'. While I enjoyed it overall, it wasn't exactly the 4 or 5 star read I was hoping it would be.

I loved the small-town setting. The town of Holiday, Michigan, is off the beaten track, held in place perhaps only because of the small local college. I've developed a fondness for small-town romances in the past year or so. So Holiday was right up my alley. There's town gossip, family-owned businesses, everything is within walking distance, and it's all surrounded by forests. My inner sap was very pleased.

But you know what made my inner sap really jump for joy? Rex! He embodied the words 'husband material'. It's possible he was a bit too perfect, but I'm not complaining. The man is sweet, caring, hard-working, and incredibly sexy. If he ever comes to life, I call dibs. So, the romantic setting and the irresistible love interest made for a really good story.

What knocked this book down a star was the POV. The book is told from Daniel's perspective. While I liked it at first, I became increasingly bored in the second half. Daniel's running, and repetitive, inner monologues were annoying. He went from being edgy, to being a bit of whiner.

I think the main problem was that this book is too long for the story it's telling. A low-drama and fairly low-angst romance doesn't need these many pages, and stretching it out meant that repetition was bound to happen. 300 pages, if not less, would have been more than enough to tell Daniel and Rex's love story.

So 3 stars from me. I liked it and for the first two-thirds this book was 4 stars, but after that I was just waiting for the end. I'd recommend 'In the Middle of Somewhere' for MM readers who like a long slow-paced romance.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic debut novel from Roan Parrish!

What I loved:

* Rex - I loved EVERYTHING about that man! He may have been a tad too perfect (read: unrealistically so), but you won't hear me complaining. Every time I thought he'd shown us the best of him, Roan peeled back another layer and I was toast.

* the super steamy sex. These guys had great chemistry together and HOLY GOD was Rex thorough in the bedroom! ...and in the shower ...and against (multiple) trees. If you read this book and say that you don't want a bed partner as attentive as Rex, I'll call you a filthy liar.

* how central the relationship between Rex and Daniel was to the book - no extraneous bullshit, no melodrama, just two guys struggling and falling in love at a realistic pace.

* while being inside Daniel's head for the entire novel could get a bit wearing at times, I really enjoy watching the growth of his character over the course of the book; I felt like it was two steps forward, and one step back, so that the eventual growth and happiness felt hard won and well-deserved.

* Ginger - I liked her caring, take-no-prisoners approach to life

What I didn't enjoy so much:

* the book was FAR too long and I felt like this hurt the story's pacing. This was a story that could have easily been told in 300 pages instead of 370.

* first person, present tense isn't a favourite of mine. I get that this is a stylistic choice and that it's the way that the author felt comfortable writing, but as a reader, I found myself physically cringing for the first few pages until I relax into it a little bit...

* the fact that the epilogue focused on Daniel and Ginger. I really wish that the books had finished with our two main characters in a room, together and happy. In fact, if Parrish had ended things after the Christmas present exchange - when Daniel is looking around the cabin and thinking that life is pretty much perfect - I would have been blissfully happy.

* the set up for Colin's book. I really don't care to read about that d-bag. Leo and Will, on the other hand? I'm looking forward to it.

[Renée · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread October 2016

Original review:
4.5 stars!

I was worried. For two reasons. First - the hype. When there's a lot of hype, it's easier to be let down. Second - Daniel came across as a tad exhausting in the first few chapters. But I needn't have worried.

This is the debut novel of Roan Parrish and bravo! This story is simple perfection. There is no suspense, murder, mystery, police, etc. And that was the perfection of it. It was just a love story. And I ate that shit up!!!!

Daniel moves to the middle of Bumfuck, Nowhere for a job and meets Rex in this sleepy little town. The whole story is THEM! And the length...I am a book-length whore. The longer the better (usually), and especially when I'm enjoying a story. This was 350 pages of yummy goodness! The pacing was perfect - it never felt too long or rushed in any word.

The simplicity was everything here, guys. I can't explain it any better than that. The way Parrish writes was so poignant in places that I found myself rereading paragraphs and dialogue because it was so well-stated. It was just SUCH a beautiful love story. Told entirely from Daniel's POV, but I never once felt like I didn't know exactly what was going on with Rex after the first quarter. And the steam? Holy shit. It was HAWT, but so touching too because of the writing. It was woven so perfectly with the couple themselves.

I will definitely be looking out for this author in the future. Like I said, it's not a story that will knock your socks off because of all the "happenings" but it will stay with you for a while, nonetheless. I will definitely be rereading this.

[Cory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rex, take me! Seriously, because I am in love with you!

I'm assuming there will be a second book because I really want more regarding some things that were left open ended.

That being said, I really enjoyed this one. I loved the relationships between Daniel/Ginger, Daniel/Leo, and Daniel/Will. Daniel is a hard one to figure out. He's pretty abrupt and harsh, but underneath all of his sarcasm is someone who really just wants acceptance and is insecure about it.

Thank goodness he met Rex. Hot, sexy, shy, and a lover of old movies. Oh how I loved Rex! And do you know what Rex was really, really great at? I'll give you a hint, it rhymes with his name. Let's see....what is it that Rex was so good at doing.....oh yes, SEX! That man could push me against a tree and have his way with me any time he wanted. Did I mention that I loved him??

I definitely want a follow up book as I want to read more!

[aleksandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

I’m obsessed with small town romances, where one of the main leads from the big city falls in love with small town character. Honestly, this book had a huge potential to be my favorite mm romance, even though I don’t think nothing will beats "Everything for You" by Chloe Liese.

I liked the story because the characters were realistic, and the book was showing their struggles, which some of them I could relate to. I love escaping from reality and read books where everything is ending perfectly, but sometimes I need to read something more raw and real.

"He’s fucking perfect and I have no idea how I got so lucky. All I want is to cling to the way he’s looking at me for a few seconds longer before the illusion that I’m someone worth spending time with is shattered.lucky."

The plot was a bit boring, and even if the side characters were kinda interesting, I’m scared to read books about them because, one of them is a homophobic asshole, and Will is annoying me. I love the main character's best friend, Ginger, at this point I think I need her in my life.

I think that the author has a problem with overusing words like "um", "uh" and "huh". If it’s happening one or two times in a book when it’s needed I like it, but here it was really overused. "Uh" was used at least 100 times.

The ending was pretty bittersweet for me. I highly recommend reading the second book as you will find out what happens to Daniel and Rex. It’s good so it’s worth continuing.

[Drusilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

reread 11/2024

still perfect 😍🫠🥰

first read

Patience is required with this book. The relationship between Daniel and Rex develops very slowly, even though they become intimate almost immediately and this is not a big deal for either of them. Unfortunately, Daniel's past is marked by almost no love, so he has trouble believing that he is really worth as much love as Rex gives him.

No one has ever touched me like this. Cared for me like this. It’s like Rex thinks of my body as something he’s responsible for. Something precious.

Just relax. No big deal, right? Just relax. Years of experience have taught me that it is a big deal, though. If you relax, you’re unprepared for what might happen next. If you relax, someone can sneak up on you. If you relax, you can’t react quickly enough.

The story is beautifully written. At the beginning I was a bit annoyed by Daniel's permanent babbling, but fortunately that fades and you can really empathize with him.
When it did end after so many pages, I was a bit confused. Because that is not an end, there is still so much open and I would like to know how it continues with these two. So no cliffhanger, just such a feeling that one has just warmed up to the story and the characters are somehow now part of my everyday life. Strange thing, don't know if something like that has ever happened to me before.

[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

**** Wonderful, amazing, extraordinary story !! ****
This will be one of the year's best M/M romances!
*** Our main character is from Philly, Daniel, a tattooed smart guy in his PHD program. He's job hunting for a teaching job in Holiday, Michigan, when he hits a dog with his car, and carries the poor animal to get help.
Daniel


Help comes in the huge muscled man, Rex,

who then takes him to his home and fixes the dog. This is quite a sexy encounter, but Daniel must return home after his interview. Daniel has many issues from his upbringing, and we get the thoughtful internal ramblings of this troubled guy. We see his reasoning, his thought process, and it's a delight to really understand him so thoroughly. We watch from inside his head; musings that watch him heal as he moves along. Fascinating.

The sex between these men is super erotic, very sensory, exciting and loving, but intensely passionate, too ! Loved these superb characters, Rex is supremely wonderful, Ginger is a fun bundle, and the ancillary folks are interesting also.
Daniel's family is awful, but there's only so much you can do with what you are dealt in the game of life.
There are surprises, awakenings, and heartfelt discussions.

I could go on and on... but I'll just recommend this to everyone !!
ENJOY !!!
===============
This glorious tale is a stand alone.
===============

[Nick Pageant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great BR with Alona!

I enjoyed this book a lot. The characters are endearing across the board and the whole thing is very well written. Very soapy plot, lots of fun.

P.S. I LOVE REX!

[Kade Boehme · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, basically all my three stars are because Rex was amazing. But the book was so looooong. Like, I LOVE a good long book with meat on its bones. And the story was good, I'll give it that. And I'm def kinda biased because present tense is not my fave because... Well it's tedious and feels a little boring. So the first part of the book was exactly that. I did a lot of skimming. Too much of the author proving how much they know the Philly punk scene, too much extraneous detail at times. And the Colin situation. Saw that coming. And def won't read a book about him.

But. The writing itself was solid. And like I said, Rex was just the shining light in this book. He was just all the perfection--though maybe too much so. Idk.

I liked the book. I did. It just was one I put down a few times so... If that's telling.

Def look forward to more by this author tho. Parrish has the chops.

[Gustaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

This book is so very long. And so very slow. I mean extremely slow. But it's perfect. Just the way it is. A long, slow book shouldn't work for me but when it comes to this author, I'm totally there for a long and slow read. Told entirely from Daniel's point of view I should've been bored, but I didn't even feel that I was missing something. It's so well written. The words are so beautiful.

I fell in love with both Daniel and Rex. And the long road that was their journey to a life together. Sure, some things wasn't answered. I'm going to have to read the second book asap.

I also loved, Daniel's love for The Secret History. It's one of my favorite books.

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Tough, tattooed, city boy Daniel finds himself in the middle of nowhere northern Michigan interviewing for a job as an English professor at small Sleeping Bear liberal arts college. While the interview goes well, the return trip to his hotel does not and he soon finds his car crashing into a tree to avoid hitting a dog. Rex, a shy, carpenter who is built like a god and, according to Daniel may or may not be a serial killer, appears from the woods to offer his assistance and brings both Daniel and the dog to his cabin in the woods. Not the greatest of first meetings, but Daniel is drawn to the intense Rex against his better judgment and spends the evening at the cabin. One thing leads to another, the two men share a kiss, but Daniel wakes up to an empty house. Flash forward six months and Daniel is on his way to start his new job in Michigan and worrying about possibly running into Rex again, but really hoping he does.

I really enjoyed this novel. It was so well written, with great dialogue, I can’t believe it’s the author’s first book! The relationship between the men starts off slowly, but it is quickly apparent the two opposites are just what the other needs. The sexual chemistry is undeniable, but both men are fumbling when it comes to the other parts of having a relationship. As Daniel is trying to settle into his new life, there is still the possibility that he will be moving on if a job at another school opens up in his area of expertise. Rex is a talented carpenter, with a penchant for old movies, but at times feels like he isn’t good enough to keep up with Daniel’s education and intellect and has a fear of losing yet another person he cares for. As their relationship slowly progresses they deal with jealousies and misunderstandings while trying to navigate the minefields of their pasts, one of which comes to a head when Daniel suddenly needs to return home to Philadelphia and Rex goes with him.

There are some great secondary characters including Daniel’s best friend Ginger, Leo (who is apparently a young Daniel), Rex’s best friend Will and even Daniel’s hateful brothers and apathetic father. I am glad to see this is a first in a planned series of books. There is no cliffhanger here, but there are definitely some story lines that have more to them for both the main and secondary characters. I’m definitely looking to read more from Roan Parrish in the future.

Review originally posted at Sinfully...Addicted to All Male Romance.

[Meep · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread - had to brace myself to face Ginger, I like Rex a lot. Found the book a quick read when you skip everything pertaining to Ginger!
--
Re-read - I still like the book but Daniel is a bit much in comparison to Rex's solid calm and Ginger is FAR too omniscient, her name is mentioned 306 through the book, the epilogue consolidates this as the Ginger-Daniel show which kills the romantic vibe.

-- --
Audio for this is very engaging too.
None of the voices felt forced and there's the right amount of expression.

-- --
Lets just accept Rex is the perfect (fictional) man and move on ;)
Seriously though; big strong, handsome, skilled with his hands, skilled with his hands, big heart, big everything, gentle, caring, protective, built own cabin, saved cute doggy, really sees people. Yum. Thorough in the bedroom (and in showers, and against trees..) And his sex talk, hot damn!

Daniel while I liked the -poor, sexy, hard-working, inked, professor- he needed to get over himself at times; a big part of that is the choice of first person, present tense. I struggled with the first pages then settled into the flow but it's not a favourite pov choice for a long fic and wont suit everyone. Here it meant too much time mired in Daniel's insecurities. Realistic progress, but it did make the story feel repetitive at times.

Ginger though barely present is somewhat omniscient. She's great, a very colourful character, but leave the little chick outta the nest already, he's a grown arsed professor now! I both loved her and wanted to hear less from her! I liked Leo and Will.

It's a long slow story; at what felt like halfway I realised I was only at 12%! But I very much enjoyed the slow getting to know each other and building trust, more about Daniel coming to terms with himself than any outside issues, almost a coming of age story. The focus is very much on the main couple, there's a warm feel whenever the two get together. Insta-attraction but feelings are far more complicated and slow to be defined. Enjoyable watching them get to know each other and seeing how well they fit together. I was happy the whole time reading.

There's some drama after the 70% mark, I'm not convinced we needed that, or Daniel's resulting monologue. it seemed an excuse to get him back to Philly and introduce Rex to the douchery of his 'family' I kind of resented the intrusion of Colin's issues there at the end (although I'm curious about his book). Also could have done without the epilogue; the story actually ends at a really good moment, then the epilogue dilutes that and turns the end feels more to Daniel-Ginger than Daniel-Rex as it should be. And while I love the 'home is with you' vibe got to admit I'll be disappointed if they leave the cabin, wish that part had been decided. It's a mix of these things late in the story that stole a star, and I'm still debating adding it.

Had a few niggles, none of consequence;
-Windows being painted shut mentioned twice at length (stuffy, no air con., carbon monoxide risk...) then later he leaves his window open a crack to air out his room.
-There's a snow storm but next morning Daniel is prepared to walk home with no reference to snow, then or for several chapters.
-The repeated 'people judge me for my tatts' - boo-hoo, own them, love them, or don't get them!
-Nightmares that came from nowhere; them and their conflict revealed then forgotten in a page.

But overall a really impressive debut book and one I will re-read. I look forward to the sequel, it's going to be interesting to see how such a negatively portrayed character can become sympathetic. I'm expecting some angsty conflict and hope the emotions are explored. An author I'll be looking out for.

[Elsbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

BR, July 11th with Susan and Julie

I really, really loved this book!!! It was beautiful ♡♡♡

This is a story focused mainly on the character developments…

Daniel Mulligan is the youngest of a family of boys. All his brothers and father care about is cars and sports.. Daniel has always been the outcast because of being gay and wanting different in his life. He graduates from college and needs a job saving money to continue his career.

Daniel



He is interviewed for this job as a English professor at a college in a small town in Michigan. Driving back home he hits a dog and after he goes searching for help it is where he meets Rex Vale. Rex takes him home, offers him food, a shower and a bed. After some kissing, Daniel finds himself alone in the cottage the next morning.

After 6 months, Daniel returns to the town Holiday. He is offered the position at the college.

He has not been able to get Rex out of his mind. Of course their pathes meet again and their reunion “ends” up against a tree.. This is the beginning of a slow progression of their relationship.

Their sex encounters were scorching hot!! I have never read anything like that.. I adored Rex in worshipping Daniel’s body and soul!!!

I loved that there was no angst other than Rex being worried about Daniel leaving him because everyone always left him.

Rex

"All I can hear is what Will just told me and Rex saying he can help me. It’s like there’s a screaming in my head that is Rex pulling the gate down, just like Will said."

“Please don’t be all helpful!” I blurt out. “Don’t slam the fucking gate down and pull away!”

No unnecessary misunderstandings.They were able to talk things out like grownups quite quickly. The only thing I missed a bit was Rex’s POV cause I really wanted to get in his mind… Boy, I would really like a boyfriend like him….

“Live with me. Here, for now. Then, wherever. As long as you’re with me, I won’t care where we live.”

“I can build something else. Something just for us.”

“I came here because I didn’t have anywhere else to go. Didn’t have anyone. And now…. As long as I’m with you, I’ll be home.”

Highly recommended….

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first impression: This book is long! But in a good way.
Roan Parrish managed to turn a rather straightforward plot into a truly mesmerizing study of two deeply touching characters finding love where both men were afraid to actually commit to each other for fear of the other man's rejection.

Daniel, a recently graduated high school English teacher and devoted academic from a blue collar family, accepts his first teaching position in a sleepy small town in snowy Michigan where he literally runs into the handsome, shy carpenter Rex, who lives alone in the woods, doing odd jobs all around the town.

Sparks fly and an intense affair ensues that both guys don't want to read too much into. After all, Daniel is just on his way through, building up references for his CV in order to find more prestigious teaching jobs, intending to leave the small high school in Rex' hometown behind rather sooner than later.
And Rex is insecure about being with the well-educated English teacher. He's just a simple carpenter, after all. Certainly it's just his 'lumbersexual' look that keeps Daniel attracted for now.

It takes quite a while for both guys to see behind the other's facade and discover what it really is that draws them together.

Daniel and Rex are both awesome characters. The heavily tattooed English teacher who swears like a jailbird and the calm, ingoing carpenter with a weakness for Hollywood classics fascinated me immensely. I dedicated a full week to sharing their journey, never rushing through any of their scenes, taking my time with them like enjoying a glass of wine.

And boy, does this book have some of the hottest sex scenes ever! I found myself taking notes, people!

The author's skills not only show in the amazingly well drawn MCs, though. What really surprised me about this book were the life like side characters, giving the lives of both Daniel and Rex a wonderful complexity that many other books lack. I want to hug Ginger, Will and Leo (and kill Daniel's brothers) for making this story not only a fantastic read, but an outstanding reading experience that will stay with me for a long time.

If this isn't 5 star material, I don't know what is ;-)

[Jamie]

dnf 15% - There was just way too much boring internal monologue for me. Someone would say something then Daniel would have four paragraphs of internal monologue before he responded. I found myself scanning the page for the quotation marks so I could just skip to the dialogue, but I realized if I'm already skimming at 15% that's probably my sign to quit. Also this book is 450 pages, I just can't imagine being stuck in Daniel's rambling thoughts for that long.

[Susan]

DNF at 29%

I was pretty much bored out of my mind, because. Nothing. Happens.

[BookSafety Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.

I’m really struggling with putting my thoughts in order, or in words that would make any sense. Roan Parrish is a master at creating complex characters, and whatever she writes always feels a little magical. The places in her books are always so vivid in my mind while reading, and the characters feel like *real* people. There wasn’t really a lot happening in terms of plot, but the MCs individual journeys (god that sounds corny) never stalled, so it didn’t feel slow, even though the book is lengthy.

It’s finally sinking in. I live here now. I live here in this tiny town. Everyone knows each other and I’m a stranger. They’ll want to know me. Know about me. And then maybe they’ll hate me.

I almost want to say Rex and Daniel had a hard fought HEA. There wasn’t anything overly dramatic happening, no awful breakup, but the way they both had so much to work through both individually and together to be able to have a good and healthy relationship was a lot. They were both flawed and made mistakes along the way, but thankfully they were able to communicate. Eventually.

It broke my heart to hear about and see how Daniel was treated by his family. It added that little something extra to the book that I appreciated, even though it was awful.

“Too good to be true?” Rex asks, stroking my hair away from my face. “No,” I tell him. “Just good.”

Rex is another one of those characters that I want to wrap up in a blanket and take care of forever. Such a sweet and kind man.

There’s no secret that I love external drama and action/suspense, but this book was beautiful no matter what. I listened to the audiobook, and it was fantastic. I might’ve thought the book was a bit too long if I read it, but it was perfectly narrated, so it flew by.

Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Small town, tattooed professor, lumberjack chic, size difference, city boy vs country boy, homophobic family, chance encounter, hurt/comfort

⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Homophobia
Verbally abusive family
Death of a parent
Mentions of beatings/hate crime
Death of a side character (past, recalled)
Past trauma
Learning disability
Injured animal
Car accident

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: It can seem like there will be at a couple of points, but it never results in any trouble or drama.
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single POV
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile