#Contemporary, #GRRC, #MM, #Military, #Romance

THE GUY FROM GLAMOUR is the first book in The Guy series, and we start off with a tragedy. Dean is in the army, serving as a Night Stalker, when he finds out his sister has been killed in a car accident, leaving behind a thirteen-year-old daughter, Nikki. He leaves Afghanistan and heads to the US where he meets Anthony. Anthony is Nikki's school Guidance Councillor and also the son of the couple who has been looking after Nikki. The story is basically about Dean, Nikki, and Anthony. They figure out what they're doing, how to work together, and what expectations they should, or shouldn't, have.

I was completely engrossed with this story, loving every word of it. I loved how Dean has his 'tutoring' with Anthony, plus Nikki's easy acceptance of them as a couple. All the characters in this book, whether main or secondary, add something to the story. The pacing was perfect, and I found it very hard to put down.

I definitely want to return to Glamour as there are simply so many characters I want to pair up! Loved this as a first book, and can't wait to read more. Highly recommended by me. 

I don't know maybe I was having a bit of a Scrooge complex at the time but apparently when I listened to this one the other day it worked a whole hella' lot better on audio. So, I'm just going to tip my hat to K.C. Kelly and credit the fine job he did with the audio and my obviously improved disposition and call it a day...and really, I'm thinking maybe I've taken leave of my senses because..."What the hell folks? Christmas stories in June? FFS...I can't even...I have no excuses but it's a thing I did...yeah, there's one more Christmas story to come. Happy Summer!

'Secrets of You' is the last book in Skylar M. Cates 'Sunshine and Happiness' series and while this is my favorite couple from this series and I had thought that maybe have had some time and listening to the audio version I might warm up to this one  a little more than I had when I originally read the book I have to confess that sadly that has not happened. 

River and Morgan are the fourth pairing in this series and while they are my favorite pairing sadly their story didn't really work much better for me than any of the previous ones in this series. 

Once again after listening to the audio book and looking back at my original review from nearly a year ago, I find that not a lot has changed for me so I'm just going to borrow some highlights from that earlier review to explain why things aren't working for me...

Morgan has been through such a scary experience when he was attacked behind a club in a previous book but he's learning to deal with his fears and thankfully he was rescued by a mysterious stranger who didn't hang around once he knew Morgan was safe. While Morgan doesn't remember a lot of what happened because he was drugged it was still an incredibly scary experience and he's dealing with it with the help of his friends and his therapist. Morgan's also had a crush on River since the minute he first saw him.

River's dark and brooding and when things get to be too much he jumps on his Harley and he rides. No good-byes, see you laters, I'll be back...he's just gone. He disappears...he runs it's his back-up plan when he can no longer deal. That is until he realizes he's tired. Tired of being alone, of running, of all the dark and bad that's in his life. But mostly River just needs to learn to forgive himself. He's got things in his past. Memories that won't let go of him, things that he blames himself for but maybe...just maybe if he'd open up and talk to someone...he'd gain a better perspective on things and maybe he'd see that while he wasn't totally without blame, he also wasn't responsible for some of it.

 

I was sure if anyone's story was going to make me gush it was going to be River's. He's been my favorite since the beginning. I can't help it, I like me a dark, brooding man of mystery in my books it just pushes all my hot buttons and River does that...his story...not so much.

 

When you get down to it this should have all worked for me. I mean seriously worked and yet somehow...I just didn't connect. River and Morgan should have had me crying and laughing and melting into a puddle of goo on the floor...it was all there and it just never happened. So I'm thinking it's me, that's right for whatever reason I'm just not connecting with these stories anymore and sometimes things happen that way.

 

'Secrets of You' was about letting go of the past and looking for a future, learning to forgive yourself and accepting that who you are is ok and it's who you're meant to be. it's also about really loving someone for the first time and knowing when to stay, when you've only ever run.

Michael Stellman did the narration for this story and this one was by no means a first time listen for me with this narrator...actually it was more like my eighth or ninth audio book narrated him. He's also the narrator for a series that's an absolute favorite of mine. So all things considered I can honestly say that I have no issues with the narration of this book it was well done and a solid performance. At the end of it all it's just a case of 'it's not a bad story, it's just not the story for me'.

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An audio book of 'Secret's of You' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Anthony Carrino loves his big, gregarious Italian-American family, even if his sisters are interfering, and his dad, the local sheriff, knows everything going on in town. He’s happy as a middle school guidance counselor. Despite helping kids and their parents fix their problems, Anthony can’t manage to get his own love life right. If only everyone would stop calling him the “nice” guy. 

Dean Pierce doesn’t do relationships. A tough-minded military man, he is dedicated to his job as a Night Stalker, flying Chinook helicopters and not speaking much to anybody. He certainly doesn’t want to deal with a mess of emotions. But when tragedy strikes, Dean finds his hands full with his troubled niece, her irresistible guidance counselor, and a meddlesome family, which includes a rather large puppy.

Review

A pleasure of a romance. 

Anthony is the kind of hero I love. He knows himself, he is kind, and he goes after what he wants.

Our other hero is more of a work in progress but he gets there and is so there for Anthony that once he arrives, we get such a lovely Happily Ever After.

All the secondary characters are great including the middle schooler. 

A good time is had by all.

Aaron Weiss knows how to escape. Years ago, he ran from a romantic disappointment and impulsively joined the Army. Now, he’s forced to take a medical discharge and readjusting to life at home proves a challenge.

Jesse Ross knows how to hide. He realizes he’s an oddball, and that he’s an outsider within his own family. He also knows his secret love since childhood, Aaron, only wants his good-looking, favored older brother. Yet Jesse could never completely abandon his intense feelings for Aaron. Over the years, Jesse was a faithful pen pal to him. Still, he's shocked to his core to find Aaron on his doorstep.

As long-buried secrets and past hurts take center stage, the two are overwhelmingly drawn to each other. But it’s their future that may force them to risk everything.

Review

I  liked this romance well enough that I bought the rest of the series. Loved forever romances are a treat. 

Jesse is a great artist hero and I love who he is as a kid. Aaron took a long time to get a clue but when he did it was worth it.

Both our heroes need to work on communication but it is a fine romance with lots of great details.