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Eostre's Baskets #3
Rabbit Wars
After two months in Dubai supervising a construction project, architect Jefferson Fontaine returns home to find his boyfriend boffing the dog walker. Reeling, Jeff grabs his dignity and departs. The arrival of a mysterious wicker box and a letter requesting Jeff’s presence for the reading of a local entrepreneur’s will sends Jeff to his hometown of Crooked Creek, Colorado. The last thing he expects is to encounter an old flame who disappeared fifteen years ago.
After high school, Ashton Eiker hoped to start a future with the boy he loved, but his world crashed when Jeff refused to bring Ash along with him to college. Ash ran from the rejection, but returned to Crooked Creek a year ago, bringing his confectionary talents and opening a chocolate shop. When the great uncle of a childhood friend names Ash in his will, he could hardly anticipate getting a helping of his past in the mix.
Jeff and Ash jointly inherit the historic Jeremiah Rabbit House, and are forced to work together to meet the terms of the will or neither will have the mansion. It’s a battle of opinions, shared personal history, and present attraction, but the true prize isn’t the Rabbit legacy. It's the chance at something better.
After high school, Ashton Eiker hoped to start a future with the boy he loved, but his world crashed when Jeff refused to bring Ash along with him to college. Ash ran from the rejection, but returned to Crooked Creek a year ago, bringing his confectionary talents and opening a chocolate shop. When the great uncle of a childhood friend names Ash in his will, he could hardly anticipate getting a helping of his past in the mix.
Jeff and Ash jointly inherit the historic Jeremiah Rabbit House, and are forced to work together to meet the terms of the will or neither will have the mansion. It’s a battle of opinions, shared personal history, and present attraction, but the true prize isn’t the Rabbit legacy. It's the chance at something better.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2014
73 people want to read
About the author
Whitley Gray
19 books72 followersAfter years of reading straight-up mystery/thrillers, Whitley discovered romance. Inventing characters and putting them through paces in interesting ways turned out to be addictive, and along the way, Whitley discovered that two heroes is twice as nice. Stop by www.whitleygray.com and feed your fix for heat between the sheets with erotica and M/M romance.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 23, 2014
Very sweet story! Great chemistry between the MCs. Their communication skills were a bit...lacking, especially Jeff's, but maybe they'll get better at it with time and trust. I enjoyed the setting - small town, gourmet chocolate shop, rambling mansion to be restored, old friends/lovers reunited. I also liked the flashback scenes which were crucial to understanding Jeff and Ash's emotional baggage and state of mind.
I thought the story had awesome potential and felt that some of it was not realized. But it still makes for a very enjoyable story.
I thought the story had awesome potential and felt that some of it was not realized. But it still makes for a very enjoyable story.
April 12, 2014
"Jeff, it's not what you think." Why are those the words that always come out of a cheating SOB's mouth right when they've been caught, literally, in the act with their pants down? Presumably there isn't always a Jeff...I mean, it could just as easily be Tom, Dick or Harry, but the other five words? Oh yeah, that's a given. Nice way for Jeff to come home after being overseas in Dubai for the past seven months. Nothing says I love you quite like watching your boyfriend screwing the dog walker over the weight bench. Craptastic homecoming. I figured it could only go up from there, right? Jeff and I were both wrong about that.
Jeff hasn't been home to Crooked Creek, Colorado, much since he left fifteen years ago for college. He wasn't able to make it when his father finally passed three months before from Huntington's, a degenerative and hereditary neurological disease. Now he's returned when he and Ash, Jeff's previous best friend and boyfriend, are given the old Rabbit house and have eleven months to agree to a repurpose of the home and to use the money provided for restoration. Jeff has no clue why the last living Rabbit would leave the estate to Ash and him, and Jeff can't exactly express his happiness. Particularly since it appears Ash is still angry with Jeff even though it's been fifteen long years since that fight. It seems that Ash moved home and opened a gourmet chocolate shop and still, pretty much, wants nothing to do with Jeff. Well, boys, you've got eleven months to get it right, or the Rabbit estate becomes the property of the town. Along with the house, the will assigned Jeff and Ash three tasks they have to complete, together. Oh, joy.
Being back where Jeff grew up and seeing Ash brings so many memories to the surface, and some undeniable sparks that still fly between them. It doesn't take long for Jeff to realize Ash is the only man he's ever loved and being with him back home is where Jeff belongs. Unfortunately, the firm Jeff works for in Chicago as an architect, has a new assignment for him which will send him to Northern Iceland for the next twelve to fifteen months. Really? Seriously? On top of that, Jeff's ex-dog walker screwing boyfriend plagiarized a house plan of Jeff's and is passing it off as his own work. Wow.
I so enjoyed this book from an author I'm keeping my eye on. Jeff and Ash are good together and watching them become a team again after so many years was enriching. This is a sweet and loving story with a little drama but nothing seriously over the top. I also enjoyed the little bit of Swedish the author included as that is my second language and I don't often see it referenced in books. It's a good book about home, family, and remembering what's most important in your life. A good read that I can easily recommend.
NOTE: This book was provided by Loose Id for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Jeff hasn't been home to Crooked Creek, Colorado, much since he left fifteen years ago for college. He wasn't able to make it when his father finally passed three months before from Huntington's, a degenerative and hereditary neurological disease. Now he's returned when he and Ash, Jeff's previous best friend and boyfriend, are given the old Rabbit house and have eleven months to agree to a repurpose of the home and to use the money provided for restoration. Jeff has no clue why the last living Rabbit would leave the estate to Ash and him, and Jeff can't exactly express his happiness. Particularly since it appears Ash is still angry with Jeff even though it's been fifteen long years since that fight. It seems that Ash moved home and opened a gourmet chocolate shop and still, pretty much, wants nothing to do with Jeff. Well, boys, you've got eleven months to get it right, or the Rabbit estate becomes the property of the town. Along with the house, the will assigned Jeff and Ash three tasks they have to complete, together. Oh, joy.
Being back where Jeff grew up and seeing Ash brings so many memories to the surface, and some undeniable sparks that still fly between them. It doesn't take long for Jeff to realize Ash is the only man he's ever loved and being with him back home is where Jeff belongs. Unfortunately, the firm Jeff works for in Chicago as an architect, has a new assignment for him which will send him to Northern Iceland for the next twelve to fifteen months. Really? Seriously? On top of that, Jeff's ex-dog walker screwing boyfriend plagiarized a house plan of Jeff's and is passing it off as his own work. Wow.
I so enjoyed this book from an author I'm keeping my eye on. Jeff and Ash are good together and watching them become a team again after so many years was enriching. This is a sweet and loving story with a little drama but nothing seriously over the top. I also enjoyed the little bit of Swedish the author included as that is my second language and I don't often see it referenced in books. It's a good book about home, family, and remembering what's most important in your life. A good read that I can easily recommend.
NOTE: This book was provided by Loose Id for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
November 5, 2017
A violent father, a promising future, the crash and burn of his first relationship–-Jeff had a lot of reasons to leave his hometown. And very few reasons to return. That is until he catches his boyfriend ‘exercising’ the dog walker, and then finds out that his architecture firm is planning to ship him out to Chile within the month. After all that, yeah, he could do with a change of scenery–-and not of the South American variety. So instead he decides to head back to his hometown, take care of some unfinished business, and try to figure out what the hell to do with his life.
Ash is used to people leaving him. He may not like it, but it seems that it is the hand that life has dealt him. Though, after years of abuse, abandonment, and just plain shitty luck, Ash has found something that is finally just his. Something he can love. Chocolate. His odd creations are unique and delicious. And he even has his eye on opening the old chocolate factory in his hometown. Then life decides once again to upset his house of cards, bringing his first love back into town, and giving them both an equal stake in a house that they had both loved, growing up. But trying to not fall back in love, while trying to fix a past that was torn apart, is easier said than done. But even if Ash and Jeff can find a way back together, Jeff is only going to leave in a few weeks, anyways. Unless Ash can convince the man to stay.
Chocolate, Easter-bunnies, hot men falling back in love, chocolate–-what’s not to like? I admit I didn’t go into this book expecting to like it as much as I did. I mainly picked it up because I wanted something with an Easter flair to keep me company over the Easter weekend. I can’t say that I’ve read any Easter-themed books before, so I was not exactly sure what to be expecting, really. Chocolate, mostly. Lots and lots of chocolate.
And boy did I get that. I really wish that this book came with a sample platter of all of Ash’s chocolates because they really sounded delicious. Well, they could probably keep the white chocolate to themselves–but white chocolate isn’t real chocolate, so one can’t rightly expect it be the delicious food of the (probably diabetic) gods, that normal, real, chocolate is (I may have a bit of hate-on for white chocolate. Mostly because it is nasty evil pretend-chocolate and should not be allowed to exist/given to unsuspecting victims). I liked how the chocolate aspect was worked into the story. And Ash’s shop (even with bitchy shop assistant) was really cool. From the flashbacks, I wouldn’t suspect that this is where Ash would end up, but it really fits the grown-up Ash in the story.
Ash and Jeff clicked a lot faster than I thought they would. Though they certainly have the backstory to justify that entire angsty hate/love thing they have going on when they first meet back up. The flashbacks are used pretty well in showing us who they were as kids, falling in love, as well as building up nicely to the reason that both Jeff and Ash left their home town. Though sometimes I was not a big fan of how the flashbacks were worked into the story-–seemed a tad clunky–-they were really well done in context of framing the story. They help me believe that these two can feel so strongly about each other, after so many years, because you see all of the love, lust, and heat that was there before the big fight broke them up.
All of the family issues surrounding these two were relatable, as well as unique to themselves–-especially Jeff and his dad. I love the addition of Huntington’s disease to the subplot of this story. It is not something that shows up all that often (I’ve pretty much never read a story with it before) so I was thrilled to see a unique spin on the reasons that Jeff left town, and why his dad was so much of a dickbag. I don’t know a whole lot about Huntington’s (ok, all that I know it is from the subplot that was featured in the show House M.D.) but I always enjoy new story angles in my books. I do wish that it had played a bigger role in the story. It was on the edges of the plot, just hanging out a bit, but it never really made it to the center, and I think that something like that would have not been so easily shrugged off by both MCs.
I am, it can be said, not a big fan of the whole “disaster brings clarity” trope. You know, where one (or both) MCs get caught in a life or death situation and then they finally see the error of their ways, make a 180 in their personalities and everyone lives happily ever after. I find them really contrived. I mean, if you are not willing to tell someone you love them unless they defy death, that does not bode well for the relationship. I get that they are supposed to make the MC see the error of their ways, and show what they could lose…but I just don’t like them. It is a personal thing, I guess. Maybe I just want to see the guys make the hard choices on their own. To say, “I don’t know what is going to happen, whether we will have fifty years, or fifty days, but hell I am willing to try anyways. This may be the stupidest thing I have ever done, and you could very easily break me into a million pieces, but if I don’t do it I will regret it for the rest of my life.” And to say it because they mean it, and not just because they think the other dude is going to die on them. If you wait your whole life for a house to fall on someone so you can finally man up and tell them that you love them, you could very well end up old and alone.
I guess what I am trying to say it that I wish that Jeff and Ash would have stopped being asses before the whole house fiasco. There were signs that they were getting there, but I think this story would have been stronger, for me, if they had to make those hard choices on their own, and not let outside influences dictate their actions.
There was quite a bit I liked about this story, and for the most part it worked really well. Just there were some things that I have never liked, that show up a bit too much in this story. I loved the whole Jeff Ash reunion, what with the hate that morphs back into love, and competition they have going between each other was good. Maybe if the story had happened over a longer time frame I just might have believed it more.
3.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Ash is used to people leaving him. He may not like it, but it seems that it is the hand that life has dealt him. Though, after years of abuse, abandonment, and just plain shitty luck, Ash has found something that is finally just his. Something he can love. Chocolate. His odd creations are unique and delicious. And he even has his eye on opening the old chocolate factory in his hometown. Then life decides once again to upset his house of cards, bringing his first love back into town, and giving them both an equal stake in a house that they had both loved, growing up. But trying to not fall back in love, while trying to fix a past that was torn apart, is easier said than done. But even if Ash and Jeff can find a way back together, Jeff is only going to leave in a few weeks, anyways. Unless Ash can convince the man to stay.
Chocolate, Easter-bunnies, hot men falling back in love, chocolate–-what’s not to like? I admit I didn’t go into this book expecting to like it as much as I did. I mainly picked it up because I wanted something with an Easter flair to keep me company over the Easter weekend. I can’t say that I’ve read any Easter-themed books before, so I was not exactly sure what to be expecting, really. Chocolate, mostly. Lots and lots of chocolate.
And boy did I get that. I really wish that this book came with a sample platter of all of Ash’s chocolates because they really sounded delicious. Well, they could probably keep the white chocolate to themselves–but white chocolate isn’t real chocolate, so one can’t rightly expect it be the delicious food of the (probably diabetic) gods, that normal, real, chocolate is (I may have a bit of hate-on for white chocolate. Mostly because it is nasty evil pretend-chocolate and should not be allowed to exist/given to unsuspecting victims). I liked how the chocolate aspect was worked into the story. And Ash’s shop (even with bitchy shop assistant) was really cool. From the flashbacks, I wouldn’t suspect that this is where Ash would end up, but it really fits the grown-up Ash in the story.
Ash and Jeff clicked a lot faster than I thought they would. Though they certainly have the backstory to justify that entire angsty hate/love thing they have going on when they first meet back up. The flashbacks are used pretty well in showing us who they were as kids, falling in love, as well as building up nicely to the reason that both Jeff and Ash left their home town. Though sometimes I was not a big fan of how the flashbacks were worked into the story-–seemed a tad clunky–-they were really well done in context of framing the story. They help me believe that these two can feel so strongly about each other, after so many years, because you see all of the love, lust, and heat that was there before the big fight broke them up.
All of the family issues surrounding these two were relatable, as well as unique to themselves–-especially Jeff and his dad. I love the addition of Huntington’s disease to the subplot of this story. It is not something that shows up all that often (I’ve pretty much never read a story with it before) so I was thrilled to see a unique spin on the reasons that Jeff left town, and why his dad was so much of a dickbag. I don’t know a whole lot about Huntington’s (ok, all that I know it is from the subplot that was featured in the show House M.D.) but I always enjoy new story angles in my books. I do wish that it had played a bigger role in the story. It was on the edges of the plot, just hanging out a bit, but it never really made it to the center, and I think that something like that would have not been so easily shrugged off by both MCs.
I am, it can be said, not a big fan of the whole “disaster brings clarity” trope. You know, where one (or both) MCs get caught in a life or death situation and then they finally see the error of their ways, make a 180 in their personalities and everyone lives happily ever after. I find them really contrived. I mean, if you are not willing to tell someone you love them unless they defy death, that does not bode well for the relationship. I get that they are supposed to make the MC see the error of their ways, and show what they could lose…but I just don’t like them. It is a personal thing, I guess. Maybe I just want to see the guys make the hard choices on their own. To say, “I don’t know what is going to happen, whether we will have fifty years, or fifty days, but hell I am willing to try anyways. This may be the stupidest thing I have ever done, and you could very easily break me into a million pieces, but if I don’t do it I will regret it for the rest of my life.” And to say it because they mean it, and not just because they think the other dude is going to die on them. If you wait your whole life for a house to fall on someone so you can finally man up and tell them that you love them, you could very well end up old and alone.
I guess what I am trying to say it that I wish that Jeff and Ash would have stopped being asses before the whole house fiasco. There were signs that they were getting there, but I think this story would have been stronger, for me, if they had to make those hard choices on their own, and not let outside influences dictate their actions.
There was quite a bit I liked about this story, and for the most part it worked really well. Just there were some things that I have never liked, that show up a bit too much in this story. I loved the whole Jeff Ash reunion, what with the hate that morphs back into love, and competition they have going between each other was good. Maybe if the story had happened over a longer time frame I just might have believed it more.
3.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
September 22, 2016
Umm.... I thought it started well enough. Which was why I bought the book. But the more I read, the more I felt disconnected to the story. I get that Ash and Jeff had a history 15 years ago. And the moment they reconnect again, Ash was first cold at the lawyer's office. Then suddenly he's flirting during dinner. Then suddenly he's cold again the next day. I can understand the hot-cold dynamic because of their past history and possibly conflict of reconnecting but the way it was written wasn't very convincing. In fact, it was so confusing.
There were also multiple leads within the story that was left dangling. I mean, it felt like they were abandoned right after they served their purpose of moving the plot along. There was no resolution to it. Also, it felt like the story was finally just starting when it finished. Frustrating!
The only gripes I have are for the plot. The writing and editing was flawless.. Just expected more, y'know... =[
There were also multiple leads within the story that was left dangling. I mean, it felt like they were abandoned right after they served their purpose of moving the plot along. There was no resolution to it. Also, it felt like the story was finally just starting when it finished. Frustrating!
The only gripes I have are for the plot. The writing and editing was flawless.. Just expected more, y'know... =[
May 14, 2014
Madam Aus reviews Eostre’s Baskets: Rabbit Wars by Whitley Gray
http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...
REVIEW: I so liked Rabbit Wars but I think I seriously gained heaps of weight just reading this story. OMG I didn’t think I could drool about description of chocolate so much. Whitley Grey has given us a wonderfully sweet tale of revisited love. Jeff and Ash were each other’s first loves, but both had baggage and with misunderstandings and ego they went their separate ways.
The angst within the story is very low key, more about resolution of issues and uncertainty on where their feelings are, than any earth shattering secrets. It is all about reconnecting and re-forging a bond that should not have been broken. The story is written in a low key, there is no rush for the finish line, there is only a gentle and very caloric sweetness about it. There is a sense of coming home (and of Jeff fighting it), even the sex, whilst hot still has that finding the one that got away feel to it. Like discovering that what you remember is tainted by that last bad memory and finally you allow yourself to remember all the good and wonderful things.
I did have only a little bit that niggled for me, it left a bit too much unresolved for my liking. In any good story there are some things that can be left unresolved within the telling, such as a part of the inferred HEA or HFN that leaves us to imagine that even though our main characters are together and they face issues, problems etc, they do it together, and that in and of itself is fine. But without giving anything away I felt that I was left with a bit too much left up to me to conclude. It probably warranted an expansion of the story, and that truly was the only reason I took a ¼ of a point off.
This was not enough for me to not love what I read. It was good and great characters and chocolate….. Yummy reading…
http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...
REVIEW: I so liked Rabbit Wars but I think I seriously gained heaps of weight just reading this story. OMG I didn’t think I could drool about description of chocolate so much. Whitley Grey has given us a wonderfully sweet tale of revisited love. Jeff and Ash were each other’s first loves, but both had baggage and with misunderstandings and ego they went their separate ways.
The angst within the story is very low key, more about resolution of issues and uncertainty on where their feelings are, than any earth shattering secrets. It is all about reconnecting and re-forging a bond that should not have been broken. The story is written in a low key, there is no rush for the finish line, there is only a gentle and very caloric sweetness about it. There is a sense of coming home (and of Jeff fighting it), even the sex, whilst hot still has that finding the one that got away feel to it. Like discovering that what you remember is tainted by that last bad memory and finally you allow yourself to remember all the good and wonderful things.
I did have only a little bit that niggled for me, it left a bit too much unresolved for my liking. In any good story there are some things that can be left unresolved within the telling, such as a part of the inferred HEA or HFN that leaves us to imagine that even though our main characters are together and they face issues, problems etc, they do it together, and that in and of itself is fine. But without giving anything away I felt that I was left with a bit too much left up to me to conclude. It probably warranted an expansion of the story, and that truly was the only reason I took a ¼ of a point off.
This was not enough for me to not love what I read. It was good and great characters and chocolate….. Yummy reading…
March 27, 2014
I really enjoyed this story of a second chance at first loves. Jeff and Ash were friends who became loves. Both dealt with some difficult circumstances growing up. Jeff is a successful if sort of closeted architect. Ash has become a successful Chocolatier. They have not seen each other for 15 years - since Jeff went away to college - his ticket out of the small town and his difficult home life.
When Jeff walks into his lover cheating on him as he returns from months overseas and he's trying to decide what to do next, he finds a letter that he has been named as the beneficiary in the will of the great uncle of a childhood friend. Having no other plans, he decides to return home. There he discovers that Ash has returned and that they have been jointly named in the will.
I won't spoil the story, but there are things that Jeff needs to work through and decide if he's ever going to move on with his life and be happy. Throw in a conniving ex and a stubborn potential partner and Jeff has to do some serious soul searching.
This story was sweet without being too sappy and while there are definitely some tense moments, it's a fairly easy read that won't break your heart. I think this is the first story I've read by this author but I don't think it will be the last.
When Jeff walks into his lover cheating on him as he returns from months overseas and he's trying to decide what to do next, he finds a letter that he has been named as the beneficiary in the will of the great uncle of a childhood friend. Having no other plans, he decides to return home. There he discovers that Ash has returned and that they have been jointly named in the will.
I won't spoil the story, but there are things that Jeff needs to work through and decide if he's ever going to move on with his life and be happy. Throw in a conniving ex and a stubborn potential partner and Jeff has to do some serious soul searching.
This story was sweet without being too sappy and while there are definitely some tense moments, it's a fairly easy read that won't break your heart. I think this is the first story I've read by this author but I don't think it will be the last.
March 27, 2014
Hmmm, okay. This was sugar sweet with very little angst. Actually, it could have used some. Prior lovers, coming together again. One of them finally figuring out what it means to live life for himself. A couple of little plot points were hanging there that could have made this a little more interesting. Instead it fell a little flat. It was okay.
March 20, 2014
I loved this little story. The chemistry was great between the two MC's and I thought the concept was very sweet.
May 14, 2014
3 Stars
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
Jeff Fontaine returns home after working abroad to find his lover has not only been cheating on him in their personal relationship, but appears to be sabotaging him professionally. At a loss as to what to do with his life Jeff gets an unexpected delivery notifying him of the death of a friend, Mr Rabbit. He's requested to come back to his hometown in Colorado to hear the terms of the last will and testament. It's something Jeff has needed to do anyway. He hasn't been home since his father passed away. Jeff needs to get his father's home ready for sale and it's a good time to simply take care of everything. Jeff also receives a shipment of chocolates. They're in the style of the chocolates produced by the Rabbit family, however the family stopped producing chocolates long ago. Their presence is a mystery. What Jeff didn't expect was his former best friend and lover, Ashton Eiker, to be the other person listed in the will. They inherit the Rabbit house, which prompted Jeff to become an architect, and they have to complete three tasks within a year. Jeff and Ash don't really want to work together. They're both still hurt from their childhood break up. One mystery does get quickly solved. Ash is a chocolatier. He made the chocolates in the style of the Rabbit family, although he didn't deliver them to Jeff. Despite getting off to a rocky start Jeff and Ash quickly come to the realization they still very much care about each other. They find themselves working together easily on the tasks set to them by Mr. Rabbit's will. Things start to go bad when Jeff's now ex-boyfriend starts to become more elaborate in his workplace sabotage of Jeff. Jeff and Ash have to figure out how to stay together and fend off the people attempting to destroy Jeff.
This wasn't a bad story. I did feel the character had a regular internal dialogue that he would then later repeat in conversations with other people, giving that information to the reader twice. For the most part I just really felt this type of story is just better when it's written by Josh Lanyon. Hero returns home after boyfriend cheats, check; hero has to deal with deceased parent's affairs, check; hero and high school boyfriend realize they still love each other after all this time, check; big creepy but beloved house, check; and last but not least, mysterious chocolates, check. Josh Lanyon doesn't in any way own those scenarios, but he has written them frequently with excellence. Using the same scenarios, and so many of them at the same time, invites comparisons. Be the comparison fair or not, this story did not at all live up to it's predecessors.
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
Jeff Fontaine returns home after working abroad to find his lover has not only been cheating on him in their personal relationship, but appears to be sabotaging him professionally. At a loss as to what to do with his life Jeff gets an unexpected delivery notifying him of the death of a friend, Mr Rabbit. He's requested to come back to his hometown in Colorado to hear the terms of the last will and testament. It's something Jeff has needed to do anyway. He hasn't been home since his father passed away. Jeff needs to get his father's home ready for sale and it's a good time to simply take care of everything. Jeff also receives a shipment of chocolates. They're in the style of the chocolates produced by the Rabbit family, however the family stopped producing chocolates long ago. Their presence is a mystery. What Jeff didn't expect was his former best friend and lover, Ashton Eiker, to be the other person listed in the will. They inherit the Rabbit house, which prompted Jeff to become an architect, and they have to complete three tasks within a year. Jeff and Ash don't really want to work together. They're both still hurt from their childhood break up. One mystery does get quickly solved. Ash is a chocolatier. He made the chocolates in the style of the Rabbit family, although he didn't deliver them to Jeff. Despite getting off to a rocky start Jeff and Ash quickly come to the realization they still very much care about each other. They find themselves working together easily on the tasks set to them by Mr. Rabbit's will. Things start to go bad when Jeff's now ex-boyfriend starts to become more elaborate in his workplace sabotage of Jeff. Jeff and Ash have to figure out how to stay together and fend off the people attempting to destroy Jeff.
This wasn't a bad story. I did feel the character had a regular internal dialogue that he would then later repeat in conversations with other people, giving that information to the reader twice. For the most part I just really felt this type of story is just better when it's written by Josh Lanyon. Hero returns home after boyfriend cheats, check; hero has to deal with deceased parent's affairs, check; hero and high school boyfriend realize they still love each other after all this time, check; big creepy but beloved house, check; and last but not least, mysterious chocolates, check. Josh Lanyon doesn't in any way own those scenarios, but he has written them frequently with excellence. Using the same scenarios, and so many of them at the same time, invites comparisons. Be the comparison fair or not, this story did not at all live up to it's predecessors.
March 14, 2015
I am a sucker for second chance romance stories, and Rabbit Wars was a good one. 15 years apart. Outside forces trying to get them back together. Other outside forces trying to keep them apart. If you like second chance romance, give this one a try. Overall, I am of two minds when it comes to this story, so let us start out with the positive. Gray has an impressive grasp of the english language. This talent is something I often find lacking in modern literature, so I want to give credit when I see it. Additionally, while Rabbit Wars is written in third person, exclusively from Jeff’s perspective, you get a decent feel for Ash’s state of mind. Finally, Rabbit Wars kept me turning the pages, needing to know what happened next. One thought repeated in my mind as I was reading, it isn’t about the destination but the journey.
One the less positive side, I did have a few issues while reading this story. The biggest issue I encountered was that I was repeatedly jerked out of the story when a fact was just dropped in an otherwise fluid scene. These facts often provided necessary back story, but the way they were presented could have been improved. In contrast, there were a few scenes that were overly descriptive and wordy. One such scene was the when Jeff and Ash made love for the first time after their separation. Their falling into bed together seemed very abrupt, but then it took the better part of a chapter of foreplay to get to the “main event” (which was again very short and abrupt). It reminded me very much of a het romance love scene and not one I have come to expect in M/M.
Find the Full review at Prism Book Alliance http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
One the less positive side, I did have a few issues while reading this story. The biggest issue I encountered was that I was repeatedly jerked out of the story when a fact was just dropped in an otherwise fluid scene. These facts often provided necessary back story, but the way they were presented could have been improved. In contrast, there were a few scenes that were overly descriptive and wordy. One such scene was the when Jeff and Ash made love for the first time after their separation. Their falling into bed together seemed very abrupt, but then it took the better part of a chapter of foreplay to get to the “main event” (which was again very short and abrupt). It reminded me very much of a het romance love scene and not one I have come to expect in M/M.
Find the Full review at Prism Book Alliance http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
February 9, 2015
This is about Jeff, an architect that has just got back from Dubai and found his soon to be ex-boyfriend with another man. And Ash, his first real love that he left behind many years ago in a town that he thought he would never see again. After Jeff finds Deak the boyfriend and storms out of the apartment he heads to the office only to find a box of chocolates and a note from an Estate lawyer requesting his presences at the reading of the will of Dalton Rabbit. Since he is off for the next couple of weeks he heads to Crooked Creek, CO. A town he has been avoiding and memories he’d rather leave in the past. Ash has pretty much stayed in this town and now owns a sweet shop and became a chocolatier. He is both happy and nervous that Jeff is back. Can these two meet the demands of the will and life and still find out if life will give them a second chance?
This was my first Whitley Gray book, and over all I enjoyed it. I liked how both MC’s had a past and was able to overcome and reconnect. That Jeff was able to talk to Ash about his work issues and even though at first didn't want to, was able to listen. I liked that even with Ash’s hard childhood he was able to overcome and turn into such a great man. What I wasn't fond of was the flashbacks, for one – in general I’m not a flashback person and two you can’t really tell they are happening until your half way through and like, this doesn't make scenes… oh yeah. Flash back. However, I will be looking this author up for more great stories.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Crystals many reviews
This was my first Whitley Gray book, and over all I enjoyed it. I liked how both MC’s had a past and was able to overcome and reconnect. That Jeff was able to talk to Ash about his work issues and even though at first didn't want to, was able to listen. I liked that even with Ash’s hard childhood he was able to overcome and turn into such a great man. What I wasn't fond of was the flashbacks, for one – in general I’m not a flashback person and two you can’t really tell they are happening until your half way through and like, this doesn't make scenes… oh yeah. Flash back. However, I will be looking this author up for more great stories.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Crystals many reviews
January 29, 2016
2.75 Stars
A charming and sweet reunion love story albeit with too much loose-ends.
While I loved overall plot, the pace of the story and chemistry between the MCs, I got fed-up with Jeff's weaknesses. Personally it's his "not really out" that caused most of the troubles in his life and STILL he's taking it veery slooow to rectify it.
The flashback scenes were also a bit confusing: sometimes they were put in italic font, sometimes not. It's fortunate I'm quite in tune with the story already to recognize which one was from the past and which from present set.
The ending felt a bit rushed, what's with the ugly ex's and protective hopeful prospect's scenes, and the following incident. I don't know why the author decide not to go a bit further on those. It'd make much nicer closure for Jeff's shake. Perhaps, seeing it's part of a series, there's a length limit and the author simply ran out of pages. Who knows *shrugs*
But the upside of that would be: less drama. Ash and Jeff finally got back together, ready to embrace their happily ever after. ;-)
A charming and sweet reunion love story albeit with too much loose-ends.
While I loved overall plot, the pace of the story and chemistry between the MCs, I got fed-up with Jeff's weaknesses. Personally it's his "not really out" that caused most of the troubles in his life and STILL he's taking it veery slooow to rectify it.
The flashback scenes were also a bit confusing: sometimes they were put in italic font, sometimes not. It's fortunate I'm quite in tune with the story already to recognize which one was from the past and which from present set.
The ending felt a bit rushed, what's with the ugly ex's and protective hopeful prospect's scenes, and the following incident. I don't know why the author decide not to go a bit further on those. It'd make much nicer closure for Jeff's shake. Perhaps, seeing it's part of a series, there's a length limit and the author simply ran out of pages. Who knows *shrugs*
But the upside of that would be: less drama. Ash and Jeff finally got back together, ready to embrace their happily ever after. ;-)
April 20, 2014
This is one of those books that really captured my imagination. The MC's, Ash and Jeff, are wonderful. Their journey from coming of age as teens in their small community, finding love, then having it all fall apart and finding one another again is lovely. The wicker basket with the rabbit gave it a bit of a magical feel. It is definitely a feel good story with only minimal angst.
The only thing that could have pleased me more, is to know there would be more about these characters in the future. :-) I would love to see where Ash and Jeff take their relationship and what happens with the house and factory. There are some secondary characters that were intriguing as well - one I would like to see grovel a bit,grrr,Deak. I would also love to know more about Dalton Rabbit.
See, a very intriguing story. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
The only thing that could have pleased me more, is to know there would be more about these characters in the future. :-) I would love to see where Ash and Jeff take their relationship and what happens with the house and factory. There are some secondary characters that were intriguing as well - one I would like to see grovel a bit,grrr,Deak. I would also love to know more about Dalton Rabbit.
See, a very intriguing story. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
February 3, 2017
Jeff is forced to head to his home town by : acheating boyfriend; needing to sell his father's house; and a mystery bequest. He is assailed by memories of his first love Ash.
There are a few mysteries, mostly surrounding Ash - what they fought over, why he is back and why he visited Jeff's dad in hospice.
The plot was a good one, just never really fully developed for me - maybe because there were lots of flashback and they just started one sentence to the next so a bit confusing. Though as a depiction of how a memory would come out of the blue and hit you, then I guess it was accurate (just frustrating to read!).
The choc descrips had me wanting to find Ash and buy out his stock! However, I didn't really find the answers I wanted about Ash and wished there had been a few more chapters. 2.75-3*
There are a few mysteries, mostly surrounding Ash - what they fought over, why he is back and why he visited Jeff's dad in hospice.
The plot was a good one, just never really fully developed for me - maybe because there were lots of flashback and they just started one sentence to the next so a bit confusing. Though as a depiction of how a memory would come out of the blue and hit you, then I guess it was accurate (just frustrating to read!).
The choc descrips had me wanting to find Ash and buy out his stock! However, I didn't really find the answers I wanted about Ash and wished there had been a few more chapters. 2.75-3*
April 26, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
So, let me start off by saying that I think this might be the beginning to a series, but I’m not sure. That being said, I’m reviewing this book as a standalone because I can’t find any indication that there will be another book.
I liked this book a lot. And before you start in on me about my rating, let me tell you about it. Like I said, I liked the story. I liked Jeff and Ash. And I like the romance. But there are so many unanswered questions at the end of the story that I couldn’t help but be disappointed. I’ll get to that in a bit. Let me tell you about the high points of this book.
Read Crissy's review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
So, let me start off by saying that I think this might be the beginning to a series, but I’m not sure. That being said, I’m reviewing this book as a standalone because I can’t find any indication that there will be another book.
I liked this book a lot. And before you start in on me about my rating, let me tell you about it. Like I said, I liked the story. I liked Jeff and Ash. And I like the romance. But there are so many unanswered questions at the end of the story that I couldn’t help but be disappointed. I’ll get to that in a bit. Let me tell you about the high points of this book.
Read Crissy's review in its entirety here.
August 11, 2016
Title: Eostre's Baskets: Rabbit Wars
Author: Whitley Gray
Cover Artist: Syneca Featherstone
Publisher: Loose ID
Reviewer: Jay
Genre: Contemporary
Type: Romance
Pairing: Gay
Length: Novel
Heat Rating: ♨♨♨♨
Book Rating: ★★★★☆
Review at WoDF - Eostre's Baskets: Rabbit Wars
March 22, 2014
3.5 stars for this light, fluffy read from Whitley Gray.
April 6, 2014
Gosh, I hated Jeff! What a weak, selfish douchebag!
August 6, 2016
Super sugary sweetness, just what I was in the mood for.
August 26, 2016
3.4 stars.
Read
July 20, 2016DNF
I could not get into this book. The first chapter started out great but it went down hill after that for me.
I could not get into this book. The first chapter started out great but it went down hill after that for me.
December 3, 2014
3.5 stars--A cute story of reconnected lovers. A little slow-paced but still enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews