This was NOT what I was expecting and I'm SO sad that this one didn't work for me as much as the previous ones in the series which were AWESOME. They were not what I was expecting in a good way considering "Johnnies" is a company which makes Porn.. I just had a hard time connecting with the story or rather with Vern and Reg and from what happened until I stopped I think it won't work for me further on.
I've read the previous installments two years ago, and though I remember I loved them, I don't remember too many things. It quite annoyed me frankly to have all those characters I remember yet I don't remember ENOUGH to feel comfortable with the setting. With Reg and Bobby, frankly I don't remember anything about them. So in a way it was like starting anew.
While I wasn't sure which of the previous ones was my favorite NOW I can finally say THIS one is! I have to say John never made a good impression on me. I mean, it's not about him building a porn company, it's what he did to screw everything up or rather snort it up his nose while forgetting everyone around him including the man he proclaimed to be in love with - Dex. Yet getting his side of the story which is NEVER about diminishing guilt was very enlightening. He had a very long journey to go to become a whole man, seeing himself and his WORTH and not just self accusing of all the things he done wrong or failed to achieve.
A hell of an emotional ride but SO worth it. I LOVE Ethan/Evan and and Jonah is SUCH a sweet guy! They deserved each other, they both had very difficult lives for different reasons but what connected them has nothing to do with that. They meet at the Pet shop Tommy ("Tango") started working in and conversation just flowed from there. But while Ethan doesn't want more than a friend it's clear he is falling for Jonah, and Jonah, well, he is quite clear with how much he wants Ethan and nothing of the things Ethan thinks will keep him at bay works, not even the big secret - what he actually does for a living..
Another emotional ride, but not as crushing as the previous one in the series. I liked both Dex and Kane in the previous installment and was happy to get to know them better in this one. I gotta say, these two together are not what you would expect, Dex is a smart guy and I'm not saying Kane is stupid (I might get hit by Dex ;)) but he is "slower" and he doesn't always get social clues (such as sarcasm). Yet they are actually perfect for one another, they somehow complete each other and while a lot of "smart people" look down on "less smart people" Dex isn't like that at all, he saw Kane for who he really is and appreciated his good qualities, dismissing his "bad" ones..
This book was SUCH a ride, an emotional one. I think a year ago (maybe a bit more?) I wouldn't have been able to read it, too many issues would have bugged me enough to put it aside or not even giving it a chance so actually I'm really happy I've broadened my horizons and I'm able to read more genres and concepts I was uncomfortable with in the past.
The book starts almost at the end point chronically, we get to Chase's breaking point where he realizes he can't keep on living the way he has all his life. We met Chase in the prequel of Donnie and Yandro, and even if you haven't read it (it's not necessary, it gives background information about Donnie and Chase's friendship and the forming of his relationship with Yandro) it's obvious he is so deep in the closet he can't even see there IS a closet. He has a girlfriend he lives with and plans on finishing his engineer degree and provide for her and the family they will build together. When he finds it hard to save money for a house while studying and working low pay jobs he stumbles upon a job in the Gay Porn Industry. "Johnnies" is actually a very nice company, with a great manager, who actually cares about his employees, the guys are also great, they have a lot more going on than doing porn (which will naturally be explored in the next books in the series). "Johnnies" gives Chase (known as "Chance") an opportunity to explore his true wants and needs even if only in the physical aspect. Until he meets Tommy ("Tango")..
Sweet romance novella. I liked it but can't say I loved it. On the one hand it was SO DAMN SWEET, on the other hand, though I loved Donnie's childish innocence it was also a bit of a "turn off" for me. I could and couldn't see was Yandro found in him.
