LEARNING TO LOVE
FELICE STEVENS
M/M ROMANCE
AUDIO RELEASE: 07.14.17
COVER DESIGN: Reese Dante
NARRATOR: Derrick McClain
BLURB
After 10 years away from home, bad boy caterer Gideon Marks has a lot to prove. Getting the holiday catering job at his childhood synagogue is the first step in demonstrating to everyone he didn't turn out to be the failure they predicted. What he doesn't count on is Rabbi Jonah Fine, his high school nemesis and secret crush, stirring up old feelings Gideon thought long gone and secrets he's buried deep for years.
An unexpectedly passionate encounter shocks Gideon, but he pushes Jonah away, convinced he isn't good enough to be in a relationship and would never be accepted by Jonah's father. But Jonah hangs tough - he won't allow Gideon to hide or run away from life again. And when it comes to love, Gideon learns the most important lessons aren't always taught in school.
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/bo…/show/29632344-learning-to-love
AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2weRJAQ
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2wevxad
Learning to Love left me with a lot of mixed feelings. Their story was good but at times i wanted to smack Gideon upside the head, he annoyed me some what. Then other times i just wanted to hug him because he was obviously hurt and a little lost and held all this against everyone. Gideon Marks chip on his shoulder left him feeling he had to prove to people that he had made something of his life. After losing his mother and grandmother in a car accident Gideon was raised by his alcoholic, emotionally abusing father. But while trying to prove himself he could never see that the people around him were proud of him.
When Gideon returned to his home town he never expected to find his childhood crush as the new Rabbi; Gideon isn’t ready to deal with Jonah and no matter how much Jonah tries to get close to Gideon, Gideon tries his hardest to push him away. Good thing Jonah isn’t a quitter and he’s determined to have Gideon, the man he’s always loved.
When Gideon returned to his home town he never expected to find his childhood crush as the new Rabbi; Gideon isn’t ready to deal with Jonah and no matter how much Jonah tries to get close to Gideon, Gideon tries his hardest to push him away. Good thing Jonah isn’t a quitter and he’s determined to have Gideon, the man he’s always loved.
Jonah had a lot of walls to break down with Gideon. As well as his own struggles with taking over from his father. But his love was strong enough for the both of them when Gideon was struggling to except that his feeling were true. I really would have like Jonah's POV i think it really would have help the story more. Mainly due to the fact that like i have said Gideon's behaviour at times grated on me. I would have liked more from Jonah to balance it out. All in all it was an interesting story that ended with a HEA.
EXCERPT
“How did you know where to find me?”
“I didn’t. But when I went to your apartment and discovered you weren’t home, I thought to myself, ‘Where would a chef be early on Saturday morning?’”
Pleased he’d thought so carefully about me, I bit my lip to keep from smiling, then muttered with my head down, “Lucky guess on your part.”
“I’d like to think so,” said Jonah, his voice as soft as the breeze. My eyes met his, the hurt from our last conversation shimmering bright in their depths, causing a throb within me of a longing I’d never known existed. “Or maybe it was fate.”
He smiled then plucked the paper bag of rugelach out of my clutches, rummaged through it until he found an apricot one, and bit off half.
“Well, if you’re that hungry, I guess you can come home with me, and I’ll make you an omelet,” I grumbled but couldn’t stop the small grin tugging at my lips. “But I planned on browsing a bit more through the market first.”
“I’d like that.” Jonah walked beside me, and we meandered past the stands piled high with colorful peppers and squash. We strolled in silence, but every few steps I’d sneak a glance at him, expecting Jonah to speak. Instead he remained irritatingly, cheerfully silent.
I sampled some hot mulled cider and licked my lips. Spending so much time with Jonah gave me new insight. I’d always thought him superior and judgmental; perhaps I had been wrong in my assessment. He captivated me with the humor in his speech, warmth in his smile, and that unmistakable flare of desire in his eyes. Goddamn it, I wanted him.
I extended the paper cup. “Do you want a sip?” Its heady cinnamon scent remained one of my most favorite things about the fall season. To my shock, instead of answering me, he bent down and kissed me on my lips, lapping at their sticky sweetness. He stepped back, but I put a restraining hand on his wrist.
“What’s going on? Why are you really here?”
The honesty in Jonah’s face took my breath away.
“Do you really have to ask, after the last time?”
My body refused to listen to the war inside my head, kindling a deep need I couldn’t understand. I took a step forward, but unlike me, Jonah didn’t retreat. He stood firm, and I stood close enough to almost touch. Close enough to smell him.
“I’m not who you want; can’t you see that?”
“You don’t have any idea what I see when I look at you, Gideon.”
I wanted to yell back at him, No, you have no idea who I am, but I couldn’t bring myself to ruin the moment. I had no clue who Jonah thought I was, but I wanted to be that man if only to be able to have him always look at me like this. Like I was special. Like I was his. The sun beat hot upon my shoulders, and I held his gaze while contentment poured over me like a warm summer rain.
Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. While life is tough, she believes there is a happy ending for everyone. She started reading traditional historical romances as a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn't until she picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth's court that her interest in romance novels was renewed.
But somewhere along the way, her reading shifted to stories of men falling in love. Once she picked up her first gay romance, she became so enamored of the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion there was no turning back.
Felice lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Her day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. Although she practices law, she daydreams of a time when she can sit by a beach and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be some angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/felicestevens/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/FeliceStevens
Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/felicestevensauthor?ref=hl
Newsletter: http://felicestevens.us8.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=d43061d90bf2256eb322ed69f&id=586ac8fa57
GIVEAWAY
I don't really have a favorite narrator but I like a man reading the story more than a woman by far.
ReplyDeleteheather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com
You're welcome, Thanks for stopping by very much appreciate you taking the time.
DeleteI've really enjoyed Kate Russell's audio books :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Thanks for stopping by very much appreciate you taking the time.
Delete