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Coming Home (Rock Bay #1)

by M.J. O'Shea (Goodreads Author)

3.88 of 5 stars 3.88 · rating details · 827 ratings · 122 reviews

Tallis Carrington ruled Rock Bay with his gang of jocks and an iron fist-until a scandal destroyed his family's name. Ten years later Tallis is dead broke, newly homeless, and on the walk of shame to end all walks of shame. He needs money and needs it fast, and Rock Bay is the only home he knows. But the people of Rock Bay haven't forgotten him-or the spoiled brat he used...more

ebook, 230 pages

Published April 9th 2012 by Dreamspinner Press

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Best M/M Romance Published in 2012

31st out of 583 books — 1,177 voters

Best Gay Romance Featuring Childhood Bully Becomes Lover

4th out of 30 books — 77 voters

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Apr 10, 2012 Arthur rated it 3 of 5 stars

3 stars

This book was getting a 5 stars from me, then it turned into melodrama at around 75%. It also felt like episodic. At several points I felt as if the story could have ended there, but then the next chapter came, with a new subplot. The author said in the dedication page that this book was something that she wrote and then put aside for a while. I wonder if that contributes to the episodic feelings.

And then, there are some inconsistent plot devices. (view spoiler)...more

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Aug 24, 2012 Nikyta rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: dreamspinner-press, bingo-challenge-r5, a-sweet-cute-read, angst, adbp, chefs-bakers, friends-or-enemies-to-lovers, closet-cases, contemporary, injury-recovery, gfy-ofy, series-serial, separated-for-a-bit, someone-bitch-slap-these-characters, working-together-in-some-capacity, m-m, published-on-amazon

I've always been a fan of M.J. O'Shea's books and Coming Home is no exception. This story had the perfect amount of sweet, intense and sexy to it. It's a bit angsty and a bit frustrating but overall I really enjoyed it.

One thing I loved about this book was how Tally used to bully Lex in high school. Lex hated Tally and Tally was a complete asshole to him. It was heartbreaking but years later when they finally meet again it's like a role reversal where Lex is the asshole to Tally. Lex is bitter...more I've always been a fan of M.J. O'Shea's books and Coming Home is no exception. This story had the perfect amount of sweet, intense and sexy to it. It's a bit angsty and a bit frustrating but overall I really enjoyed it.

One thing I loved about this book was how Tally used to bully Lex in high school. Lex hated Tally and Tally was a complete asshole to him. It was heartbreaking but years later when they finally meet again it's like a role reversal where Lex is the asshole to Tally. Lex is bitter and angry still about what Tally constantly did to him in high school but he's also attracted to Tally. Soon, Lex realizes Tally isn't the same teenager he was and understands that Tally has grown up, experienced the hardships of life and soon starts to like this new and improved Tally. I also got some perverse joy out of the fact Tally is broke and homeless while Lex has the money and good life.

The intensity between them is amazing because of the way Lex tries to come to terms with the new Tally and the old Tally. There's also the fact Tally is Lex's employee which makes Lex very uncomfortable. Another thing I loved is the mistakes Tally made in that town before weren't just forgotten but were actually held against him to the point he had to win everyone back, so to speak.

While I really liked the story and how it developed, I got frustrated by the last third or so of the book. Actually, I was more pissed off at Tally than frustrated. He acted like a complete idiot and asshole all over again and it really annoyed me. The way he treated Lex and essentially didn't give a shit about Lex's feelings when it came to Tally's "friends" really got on my nerves. I wished Lex would have made Tally grovel a bit more. As it was, that final conflict dampened my enjoyment of the story. However, while the conflict annoyed me, I will say that it satisfied my curiosity of whether or not Tally would revert back to his old ways if given the chance. Unfortunately, it also made me think less of Tally.

Overall, the story ended on a sweet note. I actually gave a goofy smile because the last scene is absolutely adorable. The passion between Lex and Tally is hot and sweet and the secondary characters made the story both fun and humorous. I'm looking forward to the sequel with Drew and Mason (even though Drew is part of the reason for the last conflict).(less)

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Sep 17, 2012 Nik rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: enemies-to-lovers, i-got-99-problems, m-m, sweet, made-me-work

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because the half is important. :P

I'll start by saying that I've enjoyed all the books that I've read by this author and this book was no exception. With that being said, I thought this was a slooooooooow starter. I felt like the little engine that could, chugging up hill. Granted, I understood why so much time was being taken to build the MCs together based on their history but, guh. Endurance is the key here folks. Don't forget to hydrate.

I liked both Tally and Lex. I...more

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Mar 15, 2013 Gwenith rated it 2 of 5 stars

2 Stars

ooh my, this one really did not work for me....

I have read unintended and I guess I was a little spoiled by that now that was the perfect book~

In this book there are some good bits, but...gosh, I don't like this book...

What happen, why this book did not work for me...well ,it was the way the storyline unfolds, I could not adapt. I did not buy the love affair and honestly, I think I was done after he (view spoiler) My other problem was a...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Ami rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-contemporary, mm-romance-or-erotica

Sometimes a story seems to be too short. Sometimes it seems too long. And this one, for me, falls to the latter category. Yes, I do like the idea of an ex-bully who is now down on his luck, and finds himself working for the man he used to bully.

However, I think this story can stop around the time when Tally realizes he loves Lex, and he is thinking of staying home this time around. Because the issues presented afterwards just feel ridiculous (only there for the sake of length) and superficial....more

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Mar 21, 2013 Elisa Ramblings added it

This is probably the third time I read about this scenario, the former bully from high school falling in love for the misfit he roughed up years ago. But everytime different authors managed to give the story their personal flavor. In this case, it’s also the story of a coming home, Tallis left small town home with few if none perspective in the future and nothing was easy for him; years after he is broke, and with the strong desire of being embraced from a family, even if the only family left is...more

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Jul 16, 2012 Jess rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: irritating-mc, slow-build-up

3.5 Stars

I absolutely loved the first half of this story. The getting to know the characters, the attraction, the tension. Then the revelation of knowing each other in school and why they acted the way they did. It progressed into this wonderful and delightful relationship that I really enjoyed watching grow.

Then the whole story went wrong for me. I couldnt understand why the author introduced this conflict that had no reasoning behind it, hell the characters didnt know why they were acting like...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Sophia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance

I think this story will easily be one of my favorite m/m romances because I found it such an enjoyable read for the plot, the characters, and even the author's voice (feel of the story).

It could have been this sad 'woe is me' type of tale because Tallis Carrington's life has hit rock bottom. He is forced to return to his home town from where he went from Crowned Prince in High School to social pariah. He now lives with his grandmother, drives a beater, and is forced through no one else hiring h...more I think this story will easily be one of my favorite m/m romances because I found it such an enjoyable read for the plot, the characters, and even the author's voice (feel of the story).

It could have been this sad 'woe is me' type of tale because Tallis Carrington's life has hit rock bottom. He is forced to return to his home town from where he went from Crowned Prince in High School to social pariah. He now lives with his grandmother, drives a beater, and is forced through no one else hiring him to take a job with someone who seems to look on him with pity and disgust. Hey, the whole town still remembers the past well and can't stand the sight of him with the exception of his former cronies. But Tally has some backbone in him and is determined to show everyone- including the handsome man he works for- that people can change and that change can be for the better.

Lex remembers the days when Tallis Carrington ruled the school and made him his favorite victim. Lex was tortured by Tallis' pranks and endured so much misery even while he looked on the golden boy as the most attractive guy who he fantasized about. Now that very same guy stands humbly in his coffee and bake shop asking for a job. Lex can tell that Tallis doesn't recognize him as the chunky freshman he used to bait for kicks and Lex can also tell that unhealthy attraction he had for the guy still exists. Against his better judgment, Lex decides to give Tallis the job.

They story continues at a steady pace with the dual plots of Tally growing and proving that he is changed and it is the gradual growth of a relationship between Tally and Lex. The story is no fairy tale with everything working out just once the guys get together. They both have baggage that they bring into the relationship, there are family issues, the past won't leave them be, and there is hate because of who they are. Can they build something strong enough between them that will weather the storms they face?

The story was told from both Tally and Lex's point of view. I really liked them both and was immediately sympathetic with both of them. I knew at the very beginning that Tally had been a real jerk and wounded Lex terribly with his bullying. Bullying can leave even deeper, longer lasting scars on the inside than just beating someone up and I was intrigued to discover how MJ would bring the bully and the guy he bullied together and make me like it. But it did work because she told present tense, but gave glimpses into the past. It helped that Tally owned to his past and was willing to accept the fallout from his past actions even while he worked hard to prove that he had changed.

Recommend to those who enjoy Small town Romances that slowly build!(less)

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Jul 08, 2012 Top 2 Bottom Reviews Interviews and More rated it 5 of 5 stars

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This is the first book I’ve read by MJ. O’Shea and it definitely won’t be my last! Once I started reading Coming Home, I couldn’t stop. I was immediately swept up into the lives of these characters and was fascinated by the story that they had to tell. Before I knew it, I had read the entire book and I’m not ashamed to admit, I wished for more! Since the blurb does an excellent job at describing the story, I won’t bore you by rehashing it. Instead, I thoug...more http://top2bottomreviews.wordpress.co...

This is the first book I’ve read by MJ. O’Shea and it definitely won’t be my last! Once I started reading Coming Home, I couldn’t stop. I was immediately swept up into the lives of these characters and was fascinated by the story that they had to tell. Before I knew it, I had read the entire book and I’m not ashamed to admit, I wished for more! Since the blurb does an excellent job at describing the story, I won’t bore you by rehashing it. Instead, I thought I would talk about why I loved this book and why it’s one of my favorite books I’ve read this year.

Both Tallis and Lex are well-written characters. They live and breathe off of the written page and it was so easy to picture them and the lives they had made for themselves. Throughout high school, Tally made fun of Lex. He ran around and was the ruler of other bullies at school, and Tally was generally considered a nuisance too many people. Because Tally is such an unhappy person, he acts out, making others miserable around him. Tally knows he’s a disappointment to his family and he knows if they ever find out the truth about his sexuality, he’ll most likely be disowned. And it’s Tally’s attraction to Lex that makes him act the way he does towards him. As soon as he can, Tally leaves town with the intention of living his life the way he wants and he never intends to come back. But life has a way of changing our plans, and years later, Tally finds himself returning home penniless and living with his grandmother.

Even though Tally did some cruel things as a teenager, I was glad to see how much he’s changed. There isn’t a day that goes by that he isn’t made aware of his past mistakes and after a while, I really began to feel for him. I enjoyed watching him show Lex and the townspeople how much he changed and I really saw him as a strong, redeeming character. Even Lex starts to see Tally for the man he is, instead of the boy he once was. I loved watching Lex and Tally’s relationship form into something truly beautiful to watch and in the end; I thought they were really made for each other.

Coming Home is truly a character driven novel that lived within me long after I finished reading the book. They are humanly flawed people who are easily relatable and I loved the journey they took me on as the book progressed. The chemistry between Lex and Tally was both intensely beautiful and sizzling hot! I loved watching the love and friendship they had for one another grow and nourish into something very special, and I hated to see the book come to an end. It has a permanent place on my keeper shelf and I look forward to reading it again and again. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author in the future and will actively be looking for more books written by her.
Highly Recommended!

Reviewed By: Gabbi(less)

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May 16, 2012 Nicci rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance

If ever there is story about redemption, Coming Home is it. Redemption doesn’t necessarily means the deserving party will receive some satisfaction watching the culprit brought down low. Nor will the redemption begin at the point where we think it should. Tally redemption starts long before he returns home. It starts the minute his father caused a scandal forcing Tally and his mother to leave home to save face. Everything Tally thought he was at that point in time, rich, spoiled, entitled, those...more If ever there is story about redemption, Coming Home is it. Redemption doesn’t necessarily means the deserving party will receive some satisfaction watching the culprit brought down low. Nor will the redemption begin at the point where we think it should. Tally redemption starts long before he returns home. It starts the minute his father caused a scandal forcing Tally and his mother to leave home to save face. Everything Tally thought he was at that point in time, rich, spoiled, entitled, those elements of him became lost.

Sometimes I wonder do the right character suffering due justice. It’s easy to blame Tally for his frat boy attitude. He was old enough to understand right and wrong. But things aren’t exactly black and white. There are underlying causes, and when those causes no longer exist, changes do occur. For what Tally did to Lex in their youth, though, it is truly unpardonable.

Tally does pay. He paid during his time in Seattle. He pays when he comes back home. He will have to prove to the residents of Rock Bay he’s new person under the same skin. As luck would have it, Lex gives Tally a chance by hiring him although a part of him wander if he’s doing the right thing. Tally has no idea Lex was the one he bullied terribly in school.

M.J. O’Shea creates well-drawn characters especially in Tally. His journey draws on sympathy and leaves a sense of justice. The relationship between Lex and Tally builds slowly as there are situations that must be addressed before they can move forward. Always there in Lex’s mind is the idea of the old Tally. Can he trust Tally with his heart and will he be around to the end.

The book, Coming Home drags some in the storytelling. The pace, however, picks up when Tally faces his past with former classmates, increasing the tension, which force Tally and Lex into confrontation about the past.

Coming Home is a wonderful read with nicely developed characters, a story touching on redemption, trust, past, and maturity. A book I would recommend to m/m romance readers and to others who might be interested in the sub-genre.(less)

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Apr 17, 2012 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance, glbt, m-m-romance

Bill Gates once said, “Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one.” Someone also once said, Karma’s a bitch. That’s a good one too, because when Tallis Carrington returns to Rock Bay, Washington, humbled and lower than he’s ever been in his life, he stares a former nerd called Karma right in the face. It takes a while, though, for him to recognize that his own special brand of Karma is really called Lex Barry, and Lex? Oh yeah, Lex is staring right back at him.

It’s been said you...more Bill Gates once said, “Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one.” Someone also once said, Karma’s a bitch. That’s a good one too, because when Tallis Carrington returns to Rock Bay, Washington, humbled and lower than he’s ever been in his life, he stares a former nerd called Karma right in the face. It takes a while, though, for him to recognize that his own special brand of Karma is really called Lex Barry, and Lex? Oh yeah, Lex is staring right back at him.

It’s been said you can’t go home again, that once you leave behind the narrow view of the small world of your youth and set out to explore the big wide unknown, returning again to the place you came from is impossible. You can’t relive the past, nor can you change it, nor can you deny that you yourself have changed in significant ways. But sometimes being able to go back home again depends on why you left in the first place, and sometimes fate and circumstance leave you with no better option; then, really, the best you can do is to go back to the beginning and try to make a clean start, even if that means living with your grandma, facing the wrath of half the town, and being forced to prove that you’re not the same person you were when you left.

Tallis knows as well as anyone that he dug himself a deep enough ditch to try to climb out of. Being the mayor’s kid gave him some cache, and attempting to keep a secret that would’ve ruined him if anyone had ever discovered it put a lot of pressure on him to be someone he wasn’t or didn’t really want to be. Bullying, picking on the weak, degrading and humiliating one boy in particular, a boy Tallis tortured mercilessly for no better reason than he was a reminder of who Tallis truly was, was the way he hid and the way he led those who chose to follow him. But there’s also a saying that goes something like the bigger they come, the harder they fall, and when a scandal rocks the small town of Rock Bay, Tallis falls with a resounding thud, leaving town in disgrace.

Lex owns the café and sandwich shop where Tally goes to apply (read: beg) for a job, mostly because it looks like it’s going to be his last chance in a town full of people whose memories are long and unforgiving. Lex was the perpetual victim of Tallis’s cruelty, so when Lex’s nemesis walks into his shop looking every bit as beautiful as he was in high school—but doesn’t know who Lex is—all those humiliating memories come crowding back in to remind Lex of how miserable Tallis and his gang had made his life. But sexy Lex is his own form of revenge now and yeah, he tortures Tally in his very own way.

Coming Home is a sweet and sexy and angsty story of redemption and second chances and the difficulty of coming out and overcoming intolerance and a sordid past in a small town. Atoning for his mistakes and proving to the one and only person who truly matters that he’s not the person he once was—that, in fact, he was never really that person to begin with, but wore that façade like armor to protect himself from becoming the victim of the very cruelty he dished out—becomes a mission that Tally accomplishes until his past comes back to insinuate itself in the present and sends Lex into self-preservation mode and Tally back to square one.

Sometimes actions really do speak louder than words—it’s not what you say but how you say it that really matters when you’re trying to convince someone you truly do love them. Tally makes a pretty solid statement to argue in his favor, and I loved that Lex heard that message loud and clear.
(less)

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Apr 16, 2012 L'marie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Y’all should know by now that I don’t really write reviews. I read and rate and sometimes I write a rant or ramble…so here goes. I was hoping to read a story exploring Lex’s feelings of falling in love with his high school bully. I find that whole concept very fascinating. I wanted to read a story about Tally’s redemption and winning Lex’s heart as well as the people of the town. (Bigot’s excluded). This should’ve been filled with so much angst. All I got was a story about how misunderstood Tall...more Y’all should know by now that I don’t really write reviews. I read and rate and sometimes I write a rant or ramble…so here goes. I was hoping to read a story exploring Lex’s feelings of falling in love with his high school bully. I find that whole concept very fascinating. I wanted to read a story about Tally’s redemption and winning Lex’s heart as well as the people of the town. (Bigot’s excluded). This should’ve been filled with so much angst. All I got was a story about how misunderstood Tally was in his youth due to his screwed up parents and that he’s really just a stand-up guy after all. Where was the “enemy” part of the story? How can Lex HATE Brock so much when Brock was a follower…of Tally? Tally was the actual bully. Tally was a nightmare to Lex in high school. Lex should’ve scorned him the minute Tally stepped foot in his coffeehouse or at least opened a can of whip ass on him, cursed him out or something. Lex only kinda sorta but not really fought his feelings for Tally. I felt that everything came a little too easy for Tally. It’s sad because the author reduced the bullying that Tally did as child’s play when it was initially introduced as serious events in Lex’s life.

The MC’s - Lex and Tally was an okay couple in the general sense. I ignored the use of baby/babe. I liked Lex’s character. He was sensitive and brave. He stood up to his bullies in high school even though he knew he was dead meat. The bigots in town couldn’t drive him away and his business was flourishing. He seemed like a really kind and compassionate man. So, yeah, I can see Lex eventually falling in love with Tally once Tally proved himself. I guess that’s why I was so disappointed that I didn’t see much of THAT struggle. I don’t know how I felt about Tally. (I know he looks like Zac Efron). I didn’t hate him, but I don’t know that I was rooting for him either. I just didn’t get that underdog feeling from him. I think it was because he didn’t really suffer enough. We were told that he was down on his luck but that’s it. It just seemed like his served coffee and he suddenly overcame his past and his family’s name.

The side characters – I really liked Tally’s grandmother, Lex’s BFF and his parents, Travis and the other girl (can’t think of her name) that was like a little sister to Tally. I thought the scene with Tally’s mom in the grandma’s house was pointless. We already knew his mom was a POS for kicking Tally out. So, I found myself more interesting in Brock and Drew more than Tally. I wanted to know more about their life. I was rooting for Drew. I have no idea exactly what I was rooting for with him…IDK, to come out of the closet and get a man. Drew had a crush on Tally back in the day and he had a current crush of Lex there’s so many ways that could’ve played out. And, Brock, why so angry? I really believe he was jealous of Lex and thought Lex stole Tally away. Brock seemed to have some not so friendly feelings towards Tally. Jealously and self-hate is a deadly combo. I think he was so deep in the closet that he almost reached Narnia. Did anyone else find it strange that Brock was hitting on underage girls and no one said anything? It seems like a known thing around town too.

(less)

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Aug 16, 2012 Heller rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, m-m

This was a good story that derailed for me in final hour. I could have done without the last third of the book and this would have shot up in my rating.

I really enjoyed reading about Tally and Lex. I wish that Lex had given Tally more guff for his treatment of him back in highschool, I thought he got off easy for some of the truly horrific things that he pulled back then. That being said I really liked the new and improved Tally that we got to see, it was just the flashbacks that were killer.

T...more

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Mar 03, 2013 Dumbledore11214 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: gay-romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 11, 2012 Terry rated it 4 of 5 stars

From an extremely unlikely beginning where Tallis Carrington returns to his home town ten years after leaving where through his extensive bullying and antisocial behaviour he was public enemy number one and despised by all the town. What stretches belief is that nobody would give him a job except for the person who was bullied most, Lex (who Tallis does not even recognise).
If you can get past the unlikely beginning then the rest of the book is a joy to read, well written with strong characters....more

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Apr 25, 2012 Valentina Heart rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: hearts-on-fire, glbt

This review was originally written for Hearts on Fire Reviews and can also be found there.

What happens when a bully grows up and all that seemed to matter suddenly doesn’t anymore? Or when a gay man finally sees the real side of his childhood tormentor, the one he’d secretly imagined while being bullied and insulted.

This is a story about appearances, where the deepest hurts hid beneath layers of self-made shields, about a boy who just wanted to be accepted and went about it in the wrong way.

Ta...more This review was originally written for Hearts on Fire Reviews and can also be found there.

What happens when a bully grows up and all that seemed to matter suddenly doesn’t anymore? Or when a gay man finally sees the real side of his childhood tormentor, the one he’d secretly imagined while being bullied and insulted.

This is a story about appearances, where the deepest hurts hid beneath layers of self-made shields, about a boy who just wanted to be accepted and went about it in the wrong way.

Tally had a difficult life with parents who always thought more about their self-image than about their child. He found the comfort he needed among other bullies and kept on pretending, while all he needed was a bit of love.

One of the people he tormented was Lex. So now, after years away, Tally takes his walk of shame, returning to a town where everyone hates him and most with good reason. He’s broke, jobless and staying with his grandmother while going round town looking for work. But despite him being different from the kid who townsfolk remember, no one is willing to give him a chance except Lex.

I loved a lot of things about this book. From the initial bit of mystery where Tally didn’t know who Lex actually was to the sexual tension between the men. I loved their dance at the beginning where they were so obviously right for each other but not quite at a place where they were willing to admit their feelings and wants, even to themselves. I also liked the deeper undertones where Tally had a hard life and where small town mentality pretty much ruined his life. I liked how he hid who he really was while all he really wanted was to be accepted and loved, by his parents as well as his friends.

Like I said, there are so many things to like about this book. But two hundred pages of it? – Too much even for me. The whole story moved kind of slow, and almost each conflict came from a misunderstanding or insecurity. I actually thought the conflict ideas were pretty good, but I needed the author to grip them and work them out, with ferocity and persistence, to make me feel the characters emotions and to kick me from the nice little place the story had lulled me into.

After some time the push and pull between the guys became tiring and I had to make myself finish reading. I still loved them, as well as the side characters, but their relationship, by the end, looked more like something they would have had in high school and not as grown men. Too many insecurities and not enough talk, so much so that I wanted to sit them down, slap them and make them discuss their ‘feelings’.

Despite all that, it’s not a bad story and I’m sure more than few people will love the exact things I had issues with. With O’Shea’s writing it’s not that difficult to get into the story and come out quite satisfied. (less)

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May 01, 2012 Snowtulip rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

3.5

This is one of those books that completely captured me at the beginning..I loved seeing Tally in a different context from high school, really enjoyed the sexual tension building up, and loved the initial stages of romance. It all kept me nice and happy in a warm fuzzy way.

About this time, the drama build up started (I do love drama), but for some reason I really had a hard time accepting Tally's actions (view spoiler)...more

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Jun 12, 2012 Deja Dei rated it 3 of 5 stars

Pretty solid contemporary romance, at least at first. It's well written, and the dynamic between the former bully and bullied is interesting.

What kind of ruined this otherwise enjoyable and relaxing read for me was (view spoiler)...more

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Jul 10, 2012 Monika rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-romance

When I started reading this book I wasn’t sure if this would be a book I could like. I’m not a big fan of redemption stories I really don’t see how someone who was traumatized by bullies could end up forgiving and loving that bully. But somewhere along the way I changed my mind and I fell in love with Lex and Tally.

This turned out to be a beautiful love story that was sweet but at times frustrating. I loved that it wasn’t an instant love with these two but a slow build that showed the great che...more

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Jul 07, 2012 Tonileg rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, romance, second-chances

Second chances romance is perhaps my all time favorite plot line in a story, and the high school/adult reunion is my a preferred variety. So this story peaked my interest right away. This is a real romance story with some sexy time, but it is about the evolving feelings and redemption of Tallis Carrington. James 'Lex' Barry is the key to Tally's redemption and healing the past to make a new future together.
There is lots of coffee making and sassy talk which made for a delicious read. I was surpr...more

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Apr 27, 2012 Deeze rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a fairly gentle read about the ex bully comming good. I liked Tally (when he wasn't being a pratt), and Lex.

The back story of Tally's father was not the big drama I was expecting and Tally's mothers part in the story felt too much like padding. Never really understood why she would return to a town she left just to try and control a son she clearly didn't want. Then she just vanishes again. Maybe we could of had a little more insight to Tallys youth to get the point across that his mot...more

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May 13, 2012 Tana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Coming Home

M.J. O'Shea is a fantastic author, the character developement and plot are well written. The words flowed so well that I couldn't put this book down.

This is a story of two men one was the bully and the other was the one being bullied. You see and feel the tension and the build up of a new romance starting. Can Lex forgive and forget and try to understand Tallis actions when he was younger. Can he see past his own hurt and forgive Tallis?

It was hard at time reading this.....as I did g...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Fiona rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rating: 4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. I am a big fan of redemption themes and MJ O’Shea explores that very well. Tally is a character you quickly grow to love as he struggles to redeem himself after a painful and damaging past. A past that he was both a participant and unwilling victim. Being held accountable for the sins of his father is a cross he is bearing with grace and humility. Owning up to his own mistakes, regardless of how difficult the process, is a rewarding journey to travel...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Lara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, enemies-to-lovers, lent

I think the ending to this book may be the most frustrating thing I have read in a long time. I loved Lex and Tally so much, and I felt like I truly knew who they were for 3/4ths of the book. Then out of nowhere they start acting like total idiots. And I know there had to be some drama from somewhere. This is m/m after all. I appreciate the angst, I really do. Yet I don't understand the need to completely throw out the characters you have made us love up until that point. It was hard to still se...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Candice rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, m-m

To be honest, I have no idea where to start. There were times when I wanted to rate this a 2 star for how much frustration it put me through, but I couldn't do that. I really enjoyed this, although I didn't like some of the actions.

This review will most likely be spoiler heavy (hidden, of course).

Let's start at the beginning, I guess. Tallis Carrington (Tally) is in a rough spot. He gets fired from his job, has an eviction notice on his apartment, and no money. He's not fond of being homeless no...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Tora rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed the first 40% of this book and then it rapidly became more and more frustrating. The introduction of the characters and the romance was sweet and engaging but as soon as they started sleeping together, it turned into melodrama.

The narrators repeatedly contradicted themselves and spent most of the book unsure of their own motivations which led to a very frustrated me yelling 'well stop being so stupid, then!' repeatedly at the page. The antagonists are cliches and the female cha...more

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Apr 05, 2013 Hans Hirschi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sometimes I read a book, I thoroughly enjoy it (and I think I'll read the follow-up as well), but it just doesn't have the umph to move me. You know like some stories do?

Coming home is about a lost young man who comes, tail between his legs, back to his native town to find love, unexpectedly. The story is all cute and the writing great, but it seems like a never-ending string of clichés about everything gay: the fag hag (here she's a dyke), the homophobic fatso at the country club, the evil moth...more

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Apr 12, 2012 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mm-romance, kindle-reads, enemies-rivals-to-lovers

I've loved all of MJ's work so far, and Coming Home was absolutely no exception. This was a lovely read, well written, and just the right length to make the story good. Lex and Tally were wonderfully crafted characters, and it was a pleasure to read their story. There were ups and downs, but in the end all I wanted was for them both to be happy, and that's something that MJ always delivers perfectly. There were some great secondary characters in this story too. And also, was it just me or was th...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Lauraadriana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: love-conquers-all, m-m, super-cute, loved-it

MJ O'Shea is the Queen of Sweetness in the Gay Boys In Love World...These boys were ADORABLE, sweet, cute and just GAH! super frustrating at times, but I rolled with it, I loved them so...

Tallis Carrington was the Big Man On Campus in Rock Bay, Washington during his High School days, his dad was the Major of his town and he pretty much ruled the school. He was also a bully and with his posse of cronies he would terrorize the kids that couldn't stand up for themselves, kids like Lex Barry. Who st...more

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May 02, 2013 Chris Jeffreys rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read the third book in this series first, and now I am going back to read the first two books.

This first book in the series is the story of Lex and Tally, two men who are destined to be together in a small town in Washington state.

This is a well-written love story, with just the right amount of suspense and angst. Even though I knew how the story was going to end (since I had already read the third book), I found the characters to be compelling and the settings to be realistic. Yes, there is...more

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Romance

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M M Romance > M M Contemporary

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About M.J. O'Shea

M.J. O'Shea has been writing romance since algebra class in sixth grade (when most of her stories starred her and Leonardo DiCaprio). When she's not writing, she loves listening to nearly all types of music, painting, reading great authors, and on those elusive sunny days in the Pacific Northwest, she loves driving on the freeway with her windows rolled down and her stereo on high.

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Coming Home (Rock Bay #1)

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