Collision Course (Florida Books, #2)

Jul 11, 2012 Lenore rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, freebies, rec-by-gr-friend, toppy-tops-power-bottoms-oh-my, toys, hh-doctor-nurse-life-sciences, 2012, by-golly-that-was-hot, pub-samhain, reviewed-by-yours-truly, sex-to-the-nth-degree, spank-me-i-ve-been-naughty, omg-you-almost-died

I think I've discovered a new favourite author.

K.A. Mitchell's stories are fluffy and not fluffy at the same time. I can't explain it. They have this "love conquers all" feeling but they're also a little angsty and have wonderfully flawed characters and are deliciously hot (the sex scenes are abundant and make your blood pressure skyrocket) and a tiny bit dirty (spanking, anyone?) and always finish on a positive, hopeful but HFN note that also lends them a certain degree of credibility lacking...more

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May 18, 2011 ~ames~ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-book, 2010-read, 2011-read, re-read, m-m

I was curious about Joey and Aaron from No Souvenirs so when this e-book was offered up for free from Amazon, you know I was all over that! Aaron has issues - many many issues. First, he raised his younger siblings. Second, he hates social workers. Third, he's not really one for commitment. And Joey is a social worker, loves being in love and is clumsy as hell. The last thing Aaron needs is to hook up with a social worker that he ends up having to watch over...and yet, that's what kind of happen...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust* rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: author-ka-mitchell, series-florida-books, ebooks, genre-erotic-romance, man-love, lgbt, read-in-2013

Posted on Under the Covers

COLLISION COURSE is my first full length novel by K.A. Mitchell. Though this is the second book in the Florida books series, I didn’t feel lost at all. Though I do still wish I started with book one, DIVING IN DEEP because the characters in that book do make some regular appearances. No biggie though because I plan on going back and reading it anyways (and continue the series!)

The first thing I loved about this book is the dirty sex. You will not find me complaining AT...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Stephanie M. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ka-mitchell, ongoing-series, 2008

2nd read: Wouldn't change my 1st review. Still perplexed at how Joey was manipulative and still don't see as being nothing but an asshole.
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1st read: 10/24/12
3.5 Stars

I liked the story and characters for the most part, but there was just too much sex. I knew it was going to be ridiculous at the very beginning when Aaron, the paramedic, shows up on an accident scene where there are serious injuries and instead of figuring out who needs help, he's scoping...more 2nd read: Wouldn't change my 1st review. Still perplexed at how Joey was manipulative and still don't see as being nothing but an asshole.
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1st read: 10/24/12
3.5 Stars

I liked the story and characters for the most part, but there was just too much sex. I knew it was going to be ridiculous at the very beginning when Aaron, the paramedic, shows up on an accident scene where there are serious injuries and instead of figuring out who needs help, he's scoping out Joey's bubble butt and thinking about fucking him. Ummm, I don't know if the author has ever been around men but when it comes to their jobs (especially one where lives are on the line), but a paramedic, when he rolls up on a multi-car crash is not thinking with the little head. He's going thru numerous situations in his mind to prepare himself for what injuries he may encounter. He's not going to stop and look at a guy's ass to admire it. I also found Aaron's attitude ridiculous calling Joey a wannabe dogooder because he was helping the woman of the minivan from bleeding out and also being mean and snarky about her kid in the back seat. Another unrealistic reaction. No paramedic is going to criticize someone for helping keep a person alive and keeping their child from freakout out until they arrive.

I also didn't get the whole deal about Joey being "a manipulating bastard" when it came to his relationship with Aaron. I was totally perplexed at that. Aaron pursued him, insisted he stay with him when he hurt his shoulder, and then out of the blue, for no reason at all other than seeing him sleep on the couch with his twin brothers, turns around and accuses Joey of manipulating himself into his life. WTF? Then later Joey admits to doing it? Again, major face palm here for me because I still didn't see what he did other than everything Aaron wanted him to do.

Overall, the story was good. No major angst or climax at the end either like in the first story. And wayyyy too much sex for my tastes. At least it was hot sex and inventive.(less)

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Apr 26, 2013 deirdre rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m

3 stars

This was a sexy read! Standing by my update categorizing this more as erotica than romance.
So much sex! This author can write some hot loving!
Eventually the MCs did move from just heating up the sheets to more of a relationship. BUT, i tend to read romance looking for more romance.
I liked this main couple. I especially liked Aaron. Well written responsible guy, Taking care of everyone around him. Hard exterior protecting himself.
Joey was a tad over the top for me. He is sweet, but almo...more

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May 19, 2011 Renee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, re-read

Boy, if you like angsty, character-driven m/m romances, this is the series for you. (I do, and it is for me!)

I loved Joey, Noah's ex and best friend in Diving in Deep, and it was great to see him get his HEA.

This was an opposites attract story. Joey is out-going, slightly flaky, and big-hearted. Aaron is taciturn, rough around the edges, and commitment-phobic. Yet, appearances aren't always what they seem, and I love seeing Joey settle down, and Aaron learn how to accept Joey into his life.

Re-re...more

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Dec 25, 2008 Ava rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm a huge fan of KA Mitchell. I loved Diving in Deep, and I loved this book, too. The book is long, but it was so good I stayed up until past 3am to finish it. The ending did seem a bit dragged out (I actually scrolled down to see how much longer it would go on), but I'm still giving this book 5 stars since everything else was so fantastic. And the scene with a drunk Joey and Cameron (Noah's boyfriend from Diving In Deep) trying to deal with him, is worth a five all by itself. Joey is just so a...more

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May 15, 2009 Elisa Ramblings added it

If you decide to read this book, plan it when you have time, since it's more than 240 pages long and probably you will not want to let it down till the end.

Joey is a spin off character from Diving in Deep: he was Noah's ex boyfriend and in that book he was in a new relationship with Mark, a leatherman with the body of a bear and the character of a teddy bear... despite the apparently happiness of that couple, when Collision Course begins, Joey has just moved in a new city and moved on his relat...more If you decide to read this book, plan it when you have time, since it's more than 240 pages long and probably you will not want to let it down till the end.

Joey is a spin off character from Diving in Deep: he was Noah's ex boyfriend and in that book he was in a new relationship with Mark, a leatherman with the body of a bear and the character of a teddy bear... despite the apparently happiness of that couple, when Collision Course begins, Joey has just moved in a new city and moved on his relationship with Mark. Mark is now ex boyfriend number ten... someone could think that Joey is a bit of a slut. And instead he is a social worker, a man who really likes kids, someone who always cares for the other, he probably wants so much a family... is it true? or maybe Joey is fearing commitment like he is accusing his new boyfriend to do? Despite his independent attitude, for me Joey has still some personal issues to resolve before he is ready to build something steady with a partner.

Yes since Joey is always ready to jump from an ex boyfriend to a new one, and he did so also this time; the lucky chosen is Aaron, a paramedic he meets when he is involved in a car accident, the first of a series of accidents that convince Aaron that it's better if Joey remains with him till he is not again in full health. But Aaron has a pretty bad past experience with social workers and he doesn't like when Joey tries to psychoanalyze him: if Joey wants to stay with him and share his bed, good, but when it's day everyone toward their different path and not mingle with personal matters (like if sex wasn't personal...). Joey is very good to convince himself that he can accept Aaron's rules and still doing is undercover psychological diagnosis, but when he is too involved it's not easy to be an impartial judge.

As I said the story is very long and so it's not easy to summarize all the nice things that made me like it. For example, I liked that Joey, despite his curiosity, didn't use his work influence to dig on Aaron's past before the man feels the desire to talk to him. Another thing I like is that the past is the past and Joey doesn't have a magic wand to undo all the previous mistakes and turn Aaron's family in a perfect fiction happy family. And I like that the book doesn't end when Aaron and Joey discover that they love each other, since love is not the cure for all the problems, and they still have to deal with the fact that they are two independent adult, with different behavior, that need to work out a way to live together.

There is also a lot of sex, actually Joey and Aaron begin their sexual marathon day first and go on, even when they are mad at each other, even when it seems that only when they are having sex they aren't arguing. Sex between them is always easy and good, and so it's for the reader, or at least for me that I didn't skip neither one of their encounters...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1605044148/?...(less)

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Nov 12, 2010 Trix rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-novels, abuse, angst, doctor, favorites

Reading the author's stories chronologically, I can see the subtle changes and in-depth portrayal of the characters in each respective book.

In what concerns Collision Course, at times I felt there was a bigger emphasis on the sexual relationship between the two males. But in time, even their physical interactions proved to be a way of communicating, sharing and experiencing feelings.

I loved Joye's casualness that hid insecurity and longing for true love. I admired Aaron's stubbornness and cut-of...more

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Jan 03, 2009 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: glbt-fiction, favorites

I read Collision Course at the end of a seriously crappy week and it was truly a pleasure to just loose myself in this book. The characters were compelling and the writing was tight and flowed beautifully. I can honestly say that there were no points where I drifted off to surf the net (which I often do when I am reading. Attention span=gnat) and I was throughly entertained with Joey and Aaron’s story.

This is a drama and a lengthy one at that. I am always impressed with K.A. Mitchell’s ability...more I read Collision Course at the end of a seriously crappy week and it was truly a pleasure to just loose myself in this book. The characters were compelling and the writing was tight and flowed beautifully. I can honestly say that there were no points where I drifted off to surf the net (which I often do when I am reading. Attention span=gnat) and I was throughly entertained with Joey and Aaron’s story.

This is a drama and a lengthy one at that. I am always impressed with K.A. Mitchell’s ability to write such meaty books that don’t drag. The writing always has a point and never seems to descend into mindless page filling fluff. Yay! The premise was cool and her characters were complex and likeable. I think Joey and Aaron might have to be one of my favorite pairings in recent memory! K.A. has also slipped in some seriously cool music, so I had a ready made sound track in my head. heh. Goldfrapp ?? Woot! I wondered at the end, was the theme in Joey’s head Strict Machine?

You might also want to read this with a fan handy as the sexual tension is off the chart. The instant and compelling attraction the boys have, that makes getting to a bed impossible, was so hot and absolutely worthy of much praise, like the Jake and Remi getting on knees scene. It wasn’t over the top, but sexy, varied and delectable.

It was so nice to see characters from one of her previous books, Diving in Deep, which I also enjoyed. I had a few sniggers at Joey and Noah and there endless navel gazing and am now jonesing for Doctor Jae Sun Kim’s story. Please!!!!

If you’re still not rushing off with credit card at the ready, perhaps the prequels over at K.A. Mitchell’s blog might convince you that this is must read material, or you can get the goodness at the Samhain site. Gorgeous summer night reading and I cannot wait for the next one.

Check out the warning below that the book comes with…
Warning: This love story may overheat readers or the devices used to read it. Explicit male/male sex scenes involving extra penetration, toys, and spanking.
http://sharrow.wordpress.com

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May 05, 2013 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've read a lot of K.A.Mitchell's books now and she, along with Douglas Black and Mercy Celeste, is one of my favourite M/M romance authors. I loved this story, and it may well be my favourite of Mitchell's so far.

Aaron and Joey make a great couple. I loved Joey's confidence. He is a really great character and I know he makes an appearance in two other books, both of which I really enjoyed too. Aaron is by far my favourite character though. Initially he is cold and slightly arrogant, but really...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Perv Pack rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance, contemporary-romance

So, we all know we like smut. Classy smut, of the fuck-me-senseless-up-against-the-wall, hair-disheveling-sexy-times kind, the one that rocks our socks off. The one that leaves us a little breathless, and with a bloom on the apple of our cheeks. That’s a given. It’s understood.

But what can really get me going is the wording, how an author can paint with words, and create a vivid picture for me, when his or her language is fast, correct and delirious. That just makes my day. This author knows how...more

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Oct 28, 2012 Charly rated it 4 of 5 stars

More sex than I expected, but overall a good read

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 7/10

PROS:
- I was hooked literally on page 1. Something exciting and dramatic happens at the VERY beginning of the book, and that scene serves to illuminate many of Joey’s character traits in a sweet, amusing way.
- Joey is quirky and cute, and Aaron has just enough of an OCD complex to make him interesting but not too annoying. They also behave in matter-of-fact, believ...more More sex than I expected, but overall a good read

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 7/10

PROS:
- I was hooked literally on page 1. Something exciting and dramatic happens at the VERY beginning of the book, and that scene serves to illuminate many of Joey’s character traits in a sweet, amusing way.
- Joey is quirky and cute, and Aaron has just enough of an OCD complex to make him interesting but not too annoying. They also behave in matter-of-fact, believable ways: I had to chuckle when Aaron drops Joey off after their first night together and Joey says quite cheerfully (I’m paraphrasing here), “You know, you’re great in bed, but a total jerk.”
- The sex is hot and plentiful, and in spite of the pervasiveness of sex scenes, I didn’t find them terribly monotonous. (see cons below also)
- Just like with this novel’s predecessor, Diving in Deep, the relationship in this book develops gradually from attraction to affection to love in a way that I thought was realistic and pretty normal.

CONS:
- On a few occasions I had trouble keeping up with the dialogue because the characters converse as though one or both of them are on speed.
- I didn’t have a problem with the AMOUNT of sex in the book, because after all, the relationship is based on nothing BUT sex at the start. It did irk me just a little that the characters sleep with each other so soon after meeting (as it always does), but the main criticism I have of the sex is that Joey…doesn’t quite have a FIXATION on what it must feel like to go raw, but he’s really curious. So it seemed to me like one of those things that would happen toward the end of the book once the characters have confessed their love for each other…but it doesn’t happen.
- There’s a big dramatic finish at the end that I felt was unnecessary. For one thing, the main story arc--two guys who are pretty determined not to fall for each other DO fall for each other--is already pretty much wrapped up. And for another, that final climactic scene doesn’t last as long as I thought it should; when it ended I turned the page and thought, “Wow. The ordeal is over? Just like that?”

Overall comments: I enjoy books that are mostly about the relationship and don’t focus a lot on plot, which is the case here. If you don’t like a really healthy dose of sex, though, you should probably stay away from this one, because there are easily ten separate sex scenes in this 260-page book.(less)

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Jul 18, 2012 Michael Booker rated it 4 of 5 stars

“Collision Course” by K.A. Mitchell

K.A. Mitchell’s “Collision Course” is a love story between Aaron Chase, a cynical, usually disgruntled paramedic and Joey Miller, an overly optimistic, free-spirited social worker. The story starts off with a bang—literally, as Joey is on a highway, driving toward Florida and witnesses a horrific, highway car crash. Being the “Do-gooder” that he is, he gets out of his car to help the situation, particularly aiding a young boy whose mother was severely injured i...more “Collision Course” by K.A. Mitchell

K.A. Mitchell’s “Collision Course” is a love story between Aaron Chase, a cynical, usually disgruntled paramedic and Joey Miller, an overly optimistic, free-spirited social worker. The story starts off with a bang—literally, as Joey is on a highway, driving toward Florida and witnesses a horrific, highway car crash. Being the “Do-gooder” that he is, he gets out of his car to help the situation, particularly aiding a young boy whose mother was severely injured in the accident. When the paramedics show up, the first things Aaron Chase sees is the carnage of the crash, and Joey’s incredible butt. Aaron has an immediate and very strong physical attraction toward Joey and clearly the attraction is mutual, because it isn’t too long before the two men are in the back of Aaron’s ambulance truck, going at it like crazy. They continue to have (a lot of) hot sex throughout the course of the novel and Aaron struggles with his ambivalent feelings toward Joey (the sex is great, but he doesn’t want to be attached and yet at the same time there is something about Joey, beyond the sex that compels Aaron to him), while Joey earnestly hopes that Aaron will be the last boyfriend he will have (he’s had over a dozen in the course of a few years).

This is the first novel that I have read by Mitchell. I’m not sure why, because her writing style, her eye for description and character depiction is excellent. The writing is crisp and clear and there is definitely a page-turning quality to the book. I did however, have a problem with the narrative, mainly the over abundance of sex scenes in the book. Not too soon after meeting, Aaron and Joey have a fiery sex session in the back of Aaron’s ambulance truck. It was one of the hottest, erotic scenes that I’d read in a while. The problem was that shortly after that scene, came another sex scene, and another, and another…in total there had to be well over a dozen sex scenes, all of them being over six pages long at least. Now, while the sexual interactions between Aaron and Joey do contribute to the overall progression of the story, I believe that the author could have alluded to some of the sex scenes, instead of describing every single one of them in full detail (although they are all really well-written). The book could have done more with focusing on the emotional aspects of Aaron and Joey’s relationship and how it develops. We do learn a lot about Aaron’s troubled upbringing in the foster care systems and how it affects his relationship with Joey (since Aaron does not trust people and Joey is a part of the social worker system that failed him and his family). Yet, we do not learn that much about Joey, other than he has a lot of ex’s, loves sex, and is a perpetual optimistic. I felt like there could have been more situations beyond the sex to focus on in their connection.

Overall, I do think this is a good book. There are some great snarky exchanges between Aaron and Joey. I really liked that Aaron was not the typical “perfect” hero of the story. He’s flawed and does not apologize for it. Joey is a great person, but has his own faults as well. Though this is traditional m/m romance, there is certain “realness” to the characters, their situations, and the way that they deal with those situations, which I found pleasing. My only real criticism is that some of the sex scenes be shortened/implied, so that readers could focus more on the characters and the plot. I would definitely be interested in reading another book about Aaron and Joey and I am also interested in reading Mitchell’s other works, because I think she is a really good author.

Michael S. Booker

Author of “Boys of Summer”

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Mar 10, 2012 Jessica Gray rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, m-m-romance

I picked this one up not realizing that it was a spin-off from Mitchell's Diving in Deep (and followed by No Souvenirs). But even without having read the first book, I was instantly engaged in Joey and Aaron's struggles. Both men are mature adults who know what they want when it comes to sex. The problem is that neither of them is willing to deal with what they need in terms of a relationship. Joey falls in love faster than blinking, and often falls out just as quickly. He's trying to fix that a...more I picked this one up not realizing that it was a spin-off from Mitchell's Diving in Deep (and followed by No Souvenirs). But even without having read the first book, I was instantly engaged in Joey and Aaron's struggles. Both men are mature adults who know what they want when it comes to sex. The problem is that neither of them is willing to deal with what they need in terms of a relationship. Joey falls in love faster than blinking, and often falls out just as quickly. He's trying to fix that after his last relationship went sour, but his best friend (and ex-boyfriend) Noah's happiness with his new love Cameron makes that hard to do. Is it wrong that Joey wants what Noah and Cameron have? Meanwhile Aaron doesn't want anything, or rather he wants to not be needed for one. He's finally done raising his siblings and does not need to fall for an accident-prone social worker like Joey. Social workers screwed up Aaron's life enough as a kid; he doesn't need one doing so now. But it's hard to resist when the two of them are like a match to a flame in bed, or the back of an ambulance, or wherever they end up naked.

Watching Joey and Aaron slowly build a relationship--almost without knowing that that is what they're doing--is a beautiful thing, especially when it's done through Mitchell's snappy, snarky prose. She's more than capable of writing men who act like grown men, but who are also each unique and individual. At first Joey seems somewhat flighty and Aaron is a bit of a jerk, but as they begin to see through each other's outer shells, so do the readers, so we fall in love as they do. Mitchell has the needed balance of sex and softness and drama and humor to make her novel work as a romance. And for readers who like their stories a little spicier, Mitchell adds just a touch of eroticism through a bit of spanking. Not so much as to turn off readers who aren't interested in BDSM, but enough to add an extra bit of spark to the embers glowing between Joey and Aaron.

I'm sorry I haven't read more of Mitchell's work before now, but I'll definitely be rectifying that situation as soon as possible!(less)

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Jan 18, 2012 KatiD rated it 4 of 5 stars

Joey Miller meets Aaron Chase on the scene of an accident. Joey is a "do-gooder" who stopped at the accident to assist the female driver, and is in the process of calming her little boy when Aaron, a paramedic, shows up. The moment Aaron sees Joey he's attracted, but minutes later, when he finds out Joey is a social worker, he's put off. Social workers made his life and the lives of his siblings hell when he was a kid, and he's really in no mood to get involved with another. For his part, Joey i...more Joey Miller meets Aaron Chase on the scene of an accident. Joey is a "do-gooder" who stopped at the accident to assist the female driver, and is in the process of calming her little boy when Aaron, a paramedic, shows up. The moment Aaron sees Joey he's attracted, but minutes later, when he finds out Joey is a social worker, he's put off. Social workers made his life and the lives of his siblings hell when he was a kid, and he's really in no mood to get involved with another. For his part, Joey is intrigued by Aaron. When they meet up again later that night in the hospital, they end up having sex in the back of Aaron's ambulance. It's the beginning of a very complicated love story.

Joey is good at falling in love. He does it a lot. And despite multiple warnings by Aaron, he can see their life together. Aaron has no real interest in a serious relationship. And yet, he can't seem to stop himself from taking care of Joey. When Joey injures himself in a fall, Aaron moves him into his house to help Joey take care of himself. And despite his injury, Joey and Aaron can't seem to stop touching each other. Their attraction is very strong, and their chemistry is incendiary. But Aaron knows in his heart that Joey is going to want more, and he's just not willing to give it to him. But slowly, Joey continues worming is way into Aaron's life. He meets his family, he's there when Aaron gets home, he's becoming what Aaron thinks about all the time. And Aaron doesn't want it. But the closer they get, the more drawn in Aaron is, and it's his quandary that presents much of the tension of the book.

The book is full of amazingly descriptive and sensuous love scenes. Scenes that really propel the relationship between the characters. They have a definite connection, but Joey can be manipulative. He doesn't really see it that way, but when he's called on it, he realizes that he'll need to make some changes to stay with Aaron. Joey is the light in the novel. He's sweet, flamboyantly gay, and really has an open heart that makes the reader fall for him immediately. Aaron, on the other hand, is difficult. He's closed off, and Mitchell is smart in that she gives us only drips and drabs of what is going on in his head. He's kind of a closed book, one who we learn as we see him take action. Either with his family, who he absolutely adores, or how he takes care of Joey. He woos us (and Joey) with how hard he works to make things good for those he loves. He really epitomizes the actions, not words character. He's all kinds of gruff and cranky, but at the same time, takes tender care of those he adores. It's a heady and conflicting combination that had me both wanting to smack him upside the head, and cuddle him at the same time.

I had only a few niggles with the story, the biggest being that Joey's ex-boyfriend was heavily featured in the book. I'll have to research it, but I'm guessing he got his HEA before Joey did, and this was a "revisit beloved characters" thing. Since I hadn't read the previous book, I found it quite distracting, but not enough to detract from my enjoyment.

This is a wonderfully written book. I really understand why so many people recommended it to me. Believe me, it will not be the last by KA Mitchell that I read.

Final grade: B+(less)

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Jul 07, 2010 Styles rated it 4 of 5 stars

I presume you know what the book is about. I'm letting you know what I liked or disliked about it.

Well, I absolutely loved reading this book. Some authors really stand out and Ms. Mitchell certainly does to me. No constant repetition, no goofy attempts at writing creativity. Just simply a well written piece with a great story and the ability to make me think about the characters while I'm not reading.

I was surprised and still am about how much Aaron disappointed me. I was surprised at the critic...more

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Aug 13, 2009 Jenre rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, contemporary, romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. How do you know that the book you are reading is something special?

For me it's by one of two different ways of reading. I either cannot put the book down; have to finish it; read to the exclusion of everything until it's over and I surface, blinking into the world or I savour the book by reading it in chunks; taking my time; thinking about the book when I'm not reading it; wake up in the morning to the happy thought that I've more of the book to read; feel sad when it's done, like I've lost a go...more How do you know that the book you are reading is something special?

For me it's by one of two different ways of reading. I either cannot put the book down; have to finish it; read to the exclusion of everything until it's over and I surface, blinking into the world or I savour the book by reading it in chunks; taking my time; thinking about the book when I'm not reading it; wake up in the morning to the happy thought that I've more of the book to read; feel sad when it's done, like I've lost a good friend.

I read this book the second way, taking over three days to read it - which is very unusual for me.

I wanted to write a review on this great book, spread the word and tell everyone what a wonderful experience reading this book is. However, after spending a couple of days with bits of a review going round my head, I've realised that I can't write a review without including spoilers, can't describe why I loved this book so much without discussing major plot and character developments and I don't want to do that.

Instead, I'm going to talk about two things in this book which struck me as unusual and which added to my enjoyment of the book as a whole. I think I can do this without giving anything away.

Firstly, the characters.

Like most books, Mitchell introduces us to the characters of Aaron and Joey early on and as a reader, I was left to make judgements about them. Nothing unusual there. However, as the book progressed I realised that the first impressions I got of these characters were actually not quite right. It's not that the characters changed or developed away from my initial assessment of them, but rather that my assumptions about them were wrong, and proved to be wrong later in the book. I hope I'm describing this in a way you can understand! It's actually a bit like real life when you meet someone new for the first time - you make very quick assumptions based on their looks and what they say to you at that first meeting. However, when you get to know someone better, they can be quite different from that first impression. This just blew me away when I realised what Mitchell had done. It was so clever and very unusual.

Secondly, the sex.

I've mentioned before how I get very bored with books which contain multiple sex scenes and can even get to the point of exasperation, wondering whether the book will ever get back to the plot. Well, in this book the sex was central to the plot. Each sex scene (and there were numerous) was written to show either something about one of the characters or something about their growing relationship. At no point did I feel bored or fed up with all the sex, in fact I found myself looking forward to the next sex scene to see what would be revealed next. Again, I was amazed when I realised what was happening.

I urge anyone reading this to go out and buy this book. Even now, three days later, I'm still thinking about parts of it - again the sign of an outstanding book. I'm giving it a grade of 'Excellent', but to be honest, Collision Course goes beyond that grade.(less)

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Jan 28, 2012 Peyrac rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, m-m

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. What a crude and pottymouthed book!

Once again K.A. Mitchell's basic idea isn't bad, it's the execution which is so dire.

This book could have been solid, or even downright good, the idea is so definitely: a paramedic who raised his 4 siblings after his mother vanishes and his father goes into prison has issues with social workers, and meets such a one he falls in love with, a guy who is accident-prone and on the lookout for "the" man in his life.

From there things decline sharply. As before there...more What a crude and pottymouthed book!

Once again K.A. Mitchell's basic idea isn't bad, it's the execution which is so dire.

This book could have been solid, or even downright good, the idea is so definitely: a paramedic who raised his 4 siblings after his mother vanishes and his father goes into prison has issues with social workers, and meets such a one he falls in love with, a guy who is accident-prone and on the lookout for "the" man in his life.

From there things decline sharply. As before there is way too much too unsexy sex in this book, it's non-stop, unrelenting, repetitive, with the feel of watching a very cheap gay hardcore in an infinite loop. After a while the penisses and the semen and always similar accounts of thrusting just give a headache. There are exactly three sex scenes which the plot demands, the hook-up, a spanking scene and one in which, finally, the "femme" partner tops the macho one. They are also the sole sex scenes which are mildly sensual, all the rest are quite superfluous and do not add anything to the book. Nothing.

What is way more enervating, especially now in the second Mitchell book I read as it gets really really old, is how vulgar and potty-mouthed this author is. Each page contains umpteen f-bombs, and at least half a dozen further obscenities. They aren't a turn on, they are blatantly turning off. What is more, it seems the author believes that males or gay males talk like that. After a third of this book, and having the other one of hers under my belt, I got the impression that the author watches gay hardcore and thinks that's how gay men behave and are like. And that's a take down on (gay) men which is pretty arrogant.

What exasperates enormously is the unfortunately so very common inequality between the partners, that badly written M/M (by female authors) features: Aaron is the big, bad-ass, gruff, physically stronger, more muscular and BDSM-style (well allegedly) dominant, in short the manly man who never is on the receptive side of sex right up to the end, and Joel on the other hand, who is too befuddled and insecure to walk straight and behaves like a girl, complete with the ability for calming toddlers and changing diapers and wanting babies, so obviously the female, and of course he is the receptive partner during sex. All this is a huge turn-off as it so little represents what takes place between gay couples.

Don't buy if you want something a slightly bit more cultured than what you can read on any toilet door. (less)

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Aug 07, 2009 Nichole (Dirty H) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, 2009

Collision Course is a sequel of sorts to Diving in Deep, in that it is the story of Joey, a secondary character from Diving in Deep. You do not need have to read that one first, though; in fact, I discourage it. I was not a fan.

This one is so much better.
On page 20, when they had yet to have a conversation and didn't really even know each other's names but still decided to have a quick blow job in the parking lot and then sex in the back of an ambulance, I said, "Oh, great, here we go again." My...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Tutu rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: loved-it

This is my third re-read and the first time I’m writing a review for it so my way of seeing Collision Course might be a bit different than everybody’s. Just a little heads up!

Collision Course is one of my favorite m/m books out there. It has the perfect mix of sweet and spice that a story needs. Might be a bit spicy for some :D, but believe me, it’s worth it ;)
This story also has one of my favorite m/m pairing to date. Aaron and Joey are meant for each other, they just don’t know it right away....more This is my third re-read and the first time I’m writing a review for it so my way of seeing Collision Course might be a bit different than everybody’s. Just a little heads up!

Collision Course is one of my favorite m/m books out there. It has the perfect mix of sweet and spice that a story needs. Might be a bit spicy for some :D, but believe me, it’s worth it ;)
This story also has one of my favorite m/m pairing to date. Aaron and Joey are meant for each other, they just don’t know it right away. Alright, so maybe Joey knows it, but, with his track record you tend to not take his word for it.
The thing about them, at first glance anyway, is how different they are from each other. But, they have one thing in common, which brings them together: they love sex and they click really well in bed. Which is why this book has so many (and I mean a lot) sex scenes. The sex is not just gratuitous porn though. Through their sex life you get to see their relationship develop from a one shot hook up to two people who truly love each other and express that through sex also. And seeing their feelings develop is truly a sweet ride.

Onto the MCs, Joey is a true sweetheart. A bit of a manipulative sweetheart, but a sweetheart nonetheless. He’s sweet, cute, funny, has a huge heart and wantS to make his part of the world a better place. He tends to manipulate his way to this, but luckily Aaron is there to keep him in track. He’s also very determined, aware of his worth and doesn’t let the pricks of the world put him down. His resilient attitude is really great and I love how the author managed to avoid converting him into a whiny twink. The greatest thing about Joey is that he manages to bring a smile to your face every scene he’s in and thus, you cannot help yourself, alongside Aaron, from falling in love with him.

Aaron on the other side is a bit of a prick. Alright, he’s a colossal asshole but……………not to the people he loves. For them, he would do anything. And even if on the surface he seems a prickly SOB, in the end Joey manages to turn him in a closeted sweetheart. For Joey only though: D.

And, what’s to be really appreciated of their relationship is the fact that they know each other, the good and the bad and work with that. They don’t look at each other as Mr. Perfect but love each other for who they are. Even if that may be Mr. Big Prick( no pun intended) and Little Mr. Manipulative :D

P.S.: one thing was frustrating though: (view spoiler)
(less)

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Jul 21, 2012 Librarian Kate rated it 5 of 5 stars

I just re-read this after transferring it into my Calibre library (so I could catalog it, of course...) and I remembered that I really liked this story, but I'd forgotten that I love it. I agree with the reviewers who think it's a bit melodramatic, but the contrast between the "fix everyone" personality of Joey, and the "mistrust everyone" attitude of Aaron, makes for such a wonderful contrast and opportunity for that "I hate to love you" dynamic that I just go along for the ride.

K.A. Mitchell...more I just re-read this after transferring it into my Calibre library (so I could catalog it, of course...) and I remembered that I really liked this story, but I'd forgotten that I love it. I agree with the reviewers who think it's a bit melodramatic, but the contrast between the "fix everyone" personality of Joey, and the "mistrust everyone" attitude of Aaron, makes for such a wonderful contrast and opportunity for that "I hate to love you" dynamic that I just go along for the ride.

K.A. Mitchell does two things particularly well here - the gradual "reveal" of both characters' pasts that affect their personalities and ability to connect with each other, and very generous helpings of smokin hot smexiness.

I get really frustrated with authors who start out with "oooh, I have a dark and mysterious angsty past... ok, here it is" that creates no tension or desire to keep reading - and also with authors who withhold the details of said angsty past until you frankly just don't care anymore and you're tired of watching for the "reveal". I thought that in Collision Course I got just enough at various key points of the story to get a satisfying "aha!" moment, but thinking "hmmm, there must be more to this, I must keep reading".

And the liberal application of nekkid (and not-so-nekkid) sex could have gotten tedious and repetitive (even for a smut junkie like me) but almost every scene advances the plot a bit, tells us a bit more about the characters and their developing relationship, and is fan-worthy (ok, central air-conditioning worthy) in its sweaty, athletic, enthusiastic sexy hawtness. I think I must insist that in my next life I be reborn as a gay man in one of K.A. Mitchell's stories... damn, those guys get some good nookie!!

I love Joey and Aaron's imperfections: Joey is adorable, but he can be really whiny and a total princess (which Aaron calls him on); and Aaron is a bit TOO saintly and long-suffering in his noble quest to save his siblings, and needs to give it a rest and get a life (which Joey calls HIM on).

And the inclusion of Noah and Cameron from "Diving in Deep" makes it a lot of fun, but not required, to have read the stories in sequence - "DiD" makes a fine prequel if you read CC first. Highly recommend both!(less)

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Jul 06, 2012 Cindi rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: series, kindle-free, m-m, 2012

I will start right off by saying that I probably should not have read this book. I did not like the first in the series, Diving In Deep at all. Actually, the two mains in that book, Noah and Cameron, will probably go down in my m/m reading history as one of my least liked couples ever. But there is another series by this author that I read where I couldn't stand the first book but loved the second one so I went into this hoping that would be the case again. It wasn't. Not even close. Normally I...more I will start right off by saying that I probably should not have read this book. I did not like the first in the series, Diving In Deep at all. Actually, the two mains in that book, Noah and Cameron, will probably go down in my m/m reading history as one of my least liked couples ever. But there is another series by this author that I read where I couldn't stand the first book but loved the second one so I went into this hoping that would be the case again. It wasn't. Not even close. Normally I love when characters from the previous book are introduced in the others. I obviously did not like revisiting with Noah and Cameron and of course they were in this book quite a bit. But I could get over that and I did.

I loved Joey. Everything about him. I don't remember him much from the first book (he's Noah's ex) so I didn't go into this one with my mind already made up about him. I got a kick out of his silliness and the fact that he was such a klutz. Though the instances where the klutziness came out were never his fault that I saw. Joey has been in 10 different relationships, each of which he walked away from before he could get hurt. He didn't just walk away. He left the area completely, usually ending up in another state. From what I saw, he probably should have moved a few states away from Noah as well but that's just me. And later on from Aaron too.

Joey meets Aaron (a paramedic) when Joey stops to help victims of a car accident. Aaron is an ass right off the bat. His personality did not improve as the story went on. Because of his family's past, Aaron is against social services and all who work for them which causes problems because Joey works as a social worker for the organization that Aaron despises.

This was basically a sex-fest. If it wasn't on every page it was every other one. You know, I have no problem at all reading sex scenes but when sex is used as an excuse to not address issues...... and it's done constantly..... it gets old pretty quick.

Also, the relationship didn't work for me. The author tried to make it where Joey was the bad guy with any issues that arose in the relationship but what I saw was Aaron being critical and mean. Hateful is the word that comes to mind. And what does Joey do? Blame himself for Aaron's attitude and not stand up for himself. In the real world Joey is the type of person I would say "Run, run, far, far away from this bastard..." to. I saw no redeeming qualities at all in Aaron and I did look. He raised his siblings but didn't do a good job in teaching them morals (view spoiler).

I tried to like this. I really did. But I obviously didn't. I saw Joey as too good of a character to be stuck with a bastard like Aaron. But that's just me.(less)

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Oct 27, 2011 L-D rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: doctor-emt-vet, m-m, romance, musician-rock-stars-bands, lend-tony, series, mc-is-a-super-douche

In Diving in Deep we met Noah's ex-boyfriend, Joey Miller. Joey has had many boyfriends, but has yet to find "the one". At the scene of an accident, Joey meets paramedic, Aaron Benjamin Chase. Aaron thinks Joey is adorable, but is immediately turned off by the fact that Joey works for social services. As a teenager, Aaron grew up protecting his siblings from social services when his mom ran away.

In Diving in Deep we also met Cameron, Noah's long-time love interest, and total douche. Yes, I said...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Lilia Ford rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-contemporary, mm-erotic, uber-alphas, favorite-mm

A new favorite. There's an awful lot of sex here (all fantastically well written). All too often that translates into a less than convincing portrayal of the actual relationship. Not so here. This really is one of the more convincing depictions of how a real-life relationship develops--the pacing, the uncertainty, the awkwardness of moving from "just sex" to driving each other to a doctor's appointment to meeting family and friends.

Though the chemistry between Aaron and Joey is undeniable and v...more

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Jul 04, 2012 Tonileg rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, m-m, romance, seriously-damaged-h-h, erotica

The scene opens with a big car accident and Joey 'Cotton-candy hair' jumps out to help with first aid and a cool collected mentality. Right away you love Joey as he works with the little three year old to get information whist simultaneously assessing the unconscious mother/driver in the front seat. Aaron Chase is a Paramedic that arrives on scene and immediately has a lust attraction for Joey that he calls 'Do-gooder'. I love calling people by their job names, like Mr. Chicken or Mrs Veggie at...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Becky rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, read-in-2011

This is a hard one to rate. I liked the emotional intensity. I liked Joey. I liked Aaron (although sometimes he didn't feel like a fully actualized character to me). But I had some real problems with the story, too.

Joey and Aaron spent the whole story doing one of two things-- sniping at each other or having sex. Or sometimes sniping at each other while having sex. The sex wasn't necessarily meaningless titillation. Usually we learned something about one or both of the characters, or they learne...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Tiya Rosa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, asshole-mc, panty-creamer, auto-buy-author, angst-buffet

I went on a K.A. Mitchell bender - if four books in two days is considered a bender - recently and breezed through her first two Florida books and both her Ohio books. Based on this cute little tidbit that gives you an insight on how busy my social life is (view spoiler), I believe I'm qualified to mention some things to expect when picking up a K.A. Mitchell book.

1. Angst. And more angst. And if you feel like you've enough angst, there will be some more. Think a...more I went on a K.A. Mitchell bender - if four books in two days is considered a bender - recently and breezed through her first two Florida books and both her Ohio books. Based on this cute little tidbit that gives you an insight on how busy my social life is (view spoiler), I believe I'm qualified to mention some things to expect when picking up a K.A. Mitchell book.

1. Angst. And more angst. And if you feel like you've enough angst, there will be some more. Think angst buffet with angst for dessert.
2. Sex. Usually in equal if not more amount than the angst. Different positions, interesting locations, with some pretty hot dirty talk thrown in. Most of the time, I just skim through the sex parts so I can wallow in more angst.
3. Asshole. One of the MCs is always an insensitive asshole with a tendency towards serious douchebaggery. This all helps feed the angst.
4. Awww inducing HEA. The ending is always pretty satisfying. The asshole usually crawls or begs and realizes how much of a tool he's been, the non-asshole will get what he deserves, and you'll be left hugging your Kindle and telling yourself the angst was worth it.

Collision Course covers all the four expectations. There was so much angst what with Aaron's issues with his bringing up his siblings and Joey being alternately a doormat and being totally you-go-girl, the sex got to a point where you skim to get to the orgasm and continue with the story, Aaron fit the asshole bill to the T, and the ending had you burping and asking for more.

The fact that I know what I'm getting when I pick up a Mitchell book is a good thing, IMO. It saves me from unnecessary disappointments and therapeutic rants. I know that, when I'm in the mood for a shitload of angst and some awesome albeit excessive male-male sex, a Mitchell book will bring it.

And this is not saying that the books are mediocre pieces of Kindle filler. K.A. Mitchell is one of the most genuine voices in male-male romances. In my view anyway. Her dialogues flow naturally, her characters flawed and believable, and the issues and angst (however much I mock them) serve a purpose in the story. She doesn't shove a problem between her MCs just so there can be a problem. The guys are well developed enough that you understand where they're coming from even when they're being an asshole about it.

So to close, this is a pretty great m-m romance read filled with angst, lots of man lovin', and an HEA that you can get behind. As long as you're in the mood for any one of the mentioned expectations, this book will definitely deliver.(less)

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May 09, 2011 Bee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: abuse-hate-bullying, kindle, light-bdsm, likes-it-rough, need-urban-dictionary, passion-erotica, romance, m-m

Joey and Aaron meet when a car accident happens right in front of Joey. Aaron is the paramedic that arrives first on site and Joey, being a social worker, helps out with a kid involved in the accident. Both men are immediately attracted to one another. Joey instantly get a feeling that Aaron is the one, but Aaron doesn't believe in love, and he HATES social workers. They start seeing each other and Joey's accident prone self leads to him ending up with his arm in a sling and Aaron inviting Joey...more

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Jan 11, 2011 Stephen Osborne rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've not had good luck choosing erotica novels. Usually they leave me cold. I come away thinking they were too long, had too much sex in them, or were just pretty damn dull. And to be honest, usually you know how they'll end up, so you're just waiting around for the two main characters to realize they're in love and end up together. Luckily, for the first time, I've found one I actually (for the most part) enjoyed. Some reviews I read complained that the character of Aaron was too unpleasant in...more

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