A Little More Hope

Hot Property #2

by Pauley J. Ray

After a vicious assault leaves him a virtual recluse, businessman Mason Wilder escapes to his friend’s beach house in the small seaside town of Melrose Bay to heal and come to terms with the shadow of the man he has become.

When Ashton Michaels, wanderer, surfer, loner, unexpectedly inherits a rundown shack of a house, he must decide: keep running from his disastrous past relationships or return to the place he loves, finally put down some roots, and learn to live life with all its consequences.

After a chance encounter with his elusive next-door neighbor, Ash can see Mason is hurting and it releases his protective, caring side and he knows he’ll do anything he can to aid the handsome, broken man in such desperate need of help.

Mason initially resists the offer of help from Ash, but the guy is persistent and for reasons he can’t figure out, Mason feels drawn to him. When Ash decides to keep and renovate his new home, impulsively Mason joins him and in the process of rebuilding the house, Mason begins to rebuild his life and confront his fears.
He must also learn to come to terms with his unexpected attraction to a man for the first time in his life. Ash is a solid, comforting, and caring presence and offers Mason everything he’s been searching for since his brutal attack.

Ash is falling hard for the quiet and troubled man he’s spending all his time with but is worried the past will only repeat itself and Mason will leave him all alone like everyone else.

Can Mason finally put his demons to rest to move forward with his life and will Ash be able prevent his fear of being left behind from ruining his chance at love?

ebook

Published July 18, 2023

About the author

Pauley J Ray has been making up stories in his head for as long as he can remember, and now gets to write those stories in his own LGBTQ romantic fiction, involving sexy, complicated, and flawed characters, searching for their happily ever after.

When not writing, he loves meeting up with friends, and can’t wait to get outdoors with his husband, hiking, camping and traveling to new and exciting places as often as they can.

He feels extremely lucky to be able to sit at his laptop writing every day and is never happier than when he's creating the heartfelt, angsty and passionate romance books he himself loves to read.

Reviews

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way Mason's suffering as a result of a mugging and his ongoing battle with his mental health as a result were really well depicted. How Ash understood and helped was very sweet. I personally wasn't a fan of the strong focus on the physical attraction between the MCs, particularly that part of Mason's bi-awakening. The growth of both MCs in the last part was excellent.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am happy to leave a voluntary review.

[DLB2572 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

I enjoyed this one even more than book one. I was hooked by this story right from the start. I couldn't put it down until I got to Ash and Mason’s HEA. I highly recommend this story.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Joyffree · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Under all the fear, under all the pain and hurt, I see you."

A Little More Hope by Pauley J Ray was a heartwarming, angsty, bi-awakening romance about finding love when you least expect it

"You need to do this for you Mason, not for anyone else"

The story follows Mason, who is left a virtual recluse after a vicious assault, and Ash, who is returning home after his Aunts death.
Two souls drifting who are about to collide

Mason escaped to his friend's beach house in the hopes of finding peace and healing, but instead, he finds himself drawn to his much younger next-door neighbor, Ash.
Ash who makes him smile.
Ash who makes him feel safe.
Ash who just feels right.

Ash is a helper. He can't help but assist someone in need and Mason is definitely in need. It can't hurt to offer his friendship while he is figuring out his future.

"What could possibly go wrong?"

I adored the cast in this story. Mason and Ash were easy to love and the secondary characters, the best friends were just as endearing
The storyline captivates from the opening scene
From the angst to the heart melts this has it all

"That's the spirit. Keeping it positive"

The sweet way Ash read and met Mason's needs.
The patience he showed to Mason as he found himself.
The smiles between them.
The little smirks and subtle touches.
The slow-build romance
The angst
The humor
The heat
Highly recommend!

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something deeply fitting about the image of rebuilding that’s so central here— Ash and Mason are each rehabilitating and renovating their lives, their senses of themselves, and a house to boot. There’s a nice balance of growth and progress with the idea of being anchored in existing foundations: in who each character is at their core and the strength they have to face their challenges, and in the bonds they’re crafting with each other. There’s care and respect in the way these characters’ feelings and experiences are depicted, as well as plenty of chemistry, emotional and physical, between them. All in all, an engaging read.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful hurt/comfort story with the beach as backdrop. I loved the way Mason and Ash were brought together as they worked on renovating Ash's house. Having that project to focus on gave them both a chance to gradually open up to each other and confront their pasts and move on together.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I loved the interactions between Mason and Ash and the way the author was sensitive about Mason's mental problems. I will definitely be going back to read the first book and look for more by Pauley J Ray.

[Elise H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ash and Mason build a nice friendship, but their relationship is too much, too fast. And Mason’s lack of doubts or struggles facing his new sexuality is weird.

[Misty]

*DNF*
(20%)