Closing the Loop

by Jane Davitt

A week on a tropical gay cruise is just what Lee needs after a bad breakup and a Canadian winter. It’s a shame his ex is on board, but Lee is sharing a cabin with Cole, a hot lawyer who — as luck would have it — is actually from Lee’s city. So when Cole unexpectedly awakens Lee’s kinky side, Lee begins to dream that they can actually take their shipboard romance home with them. But Cole is keeping secrets involving a troubled young man on board the ship. And Lee, after his recent brush with betrayal, finds it difficult to trust Cole when he says Justin isn’t a rival. Then he learns the truth and is also drawn into the tragic story. His dream vacation is in danger of turning dark, but he’s determined to navigate Cole and himself to a safe harbor before their blisteringly hot romance is lost at sea. Word 39,800; page 153

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, BDSM, Romance, LGBT, Adult

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2015

About the author

Retired from pro writing, pretty much. Any books where the rights are with me I've put up at A03, along with all my fic, which I'm still writing.

[Free reads and my fanfic are here:
Jane Davitt at AO3]

Thank you to all who read my books. It meant a lot.

Reviews

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not even Canada and a gay cruise could save this book for me.

The chemistry between the MCs was nonexistent; the dialogue was stilted; and there was an odd juxtaposition of drama (the suicidal nephew), melodrama (the over-the-top bitchy, vindictive ex), and BDSM-lite (some spanking, hints at deeper play to come).

I generally like Jane Davitt's books, but this one was a no-go for me. Fortunately, there is a HEA, but I lost interest before I got there.

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 4 out of 5]

a review by The Blogger Girls.

I ended up enjoying this one quite a bit. There are a number of coincidences that bring Cole and Lee together. I really wasn’t too sure what to make of Cole at first. He gives an impression of being a rather hoity toity somewhat stiff guy, but it doesn’t take long for us to see behind that mask, thanks to Lee.

Lee is looking to hook up, enjoy his trip, despite the fact that his now ex insisted on going. Thankfully, he has an opportunity to room with someone else. That someone ends up being Cole, the guy he met when Cole tried booking the cruise through Lee’s travel agency. Cole is there for very different reasons though. He is not looking to hook up and party, and honestly, Lee really isn’t either, even though he thinks that’s the best way to go about things.

Lee and Cole spend a little time getting to know one another and hit it off. They definitely have differences, but in the bedroom, they totally sync. Lee feels free to explore his fantasies, something he was always afraid his ex would throw back in his face. And Cole ends up letting himself go and enjoy the fun as well. Something neither ever really explored before, they found they really liked doing with each other. There isn’t anything too heavy here, mostly sexy dirty talk and a tiny bit of spanking, which I found kind of refreshing.

Cole’s issues and reason for being on the cruise brought another element to the story. It was a bit frustrating to see how it affected Lee at first, but once he was in the loop, so to speak, things were much better.

I can always count on an enjoyable story from Ms. Davitt, and this one didn’t let me down in that department. While I was not blown away by the story, I found it to be a great afternoon read. If I had that kind of money to spend, I’d definitely be adding gay cruise to my bucket list.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

To celebrate the release of Closing the Loop, Jane Davitt is giving away a signed print copy of Lucky Strike. The contest is not limited to U.S. residents.

Stop by On Top Down Under Book Reviews and leave a comment for a chance to win! Contest ends on May 30th.





Review can be found at -

[Ed Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read. I didn’t love it like I have the other books by Jane Davitt. I think part of the problem was I didn’t like Lee very much. He just came across as being a little snotty.

[Veronica of V's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee is a travel agent in Toronto due to depart on a gay-theme Caribbean cruise with his boyfriend of three years, Ryan, when he learns that Ryan isn't quite as committed to fidelity as Lee would have hoped. They break up, with Ryan still planning to hit the cruise and rub Lee's face in his debauchery.

Lee acquires a last-minute upgrade and ends up sharing the Presidential Suite with a gorgeous black Englishman, Cole, who is a civil rights attorney. Lee had met Cole back in Canada when he helped book his ticket, and his initial attraction is only magnified in close quarters. Cole isn't down for messing around--he has his eyes on one person in particular on this boat, and it isn't Lee. Though, Lee is an excellent second. (Cole isn't sexually attracted to his quarry, it's a troubled relative he's trying to assist)

Cole does find Lee attractive, but he's not a sharing guy and the cruise isn't his vacation. Still, they spend a bit of time together, and their attraction simmers. Expect some candid sexytimes and a "bit of rough" with a very alluring pair of leather gloves and a well-warmed backside. The end gets rocky when Cole has to get his relation off the boat suddenly, and Lee is left wondering...what now?

We wonder alongside him for a bit, but the end is HEA all the way. I liked both Lee and Cole, they were interesting and compelling. I wanted then to find their happiness, and was glad when that happened.

[Sunny · Rating 2 out of 5]

The sexy times were hot, but the story and characterizations didn't work for me.  I didn't connect with or care about the characters. Near the end, Lee made me so angry, I almost dnf.

Also, Justin's story was too depressing; all that sadness felt unnecessary, manipulative.

[Anke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't really work for me. No chemistry and the switch between suicidal nephew and kinky sex - yuck.
Sorry book, I wanted to love you more.

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.


Just as he’s finally ready to take a romantic Valentine’s Day gay cruise, travel agent Lee Jones discovers that his partner Ryan not only wants to have sex with other men while on the cruise, he’s already done so right under Lee’s nose. It’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back, and Lee dumps him, not needing to continue to put up with Ryan’s self-centered ways.

When he finds out Ryan is still planning to go on the cruise and share their room, a room Lee paid for, it just adds insult to injury, and Lee puts out the extra bucks to get half of the only other room available—the Presidential Suite. It turns out the other half is occupied by Joseph Cole, a gorgeous lawyer who was on the wait list due to Lee’s own work. Cole had come into the office during the previous week, wanting to get a spot on a fully booked cruise so Lee put him on the waiting list. As far as Lee is concerned, this is a win:win situation. Cole is hot, virile, wealthy, and just the thing to help Lee forget Ryan.

But Cole isn’t interested in the cruise so much as he’s interested in a young man on the cruise, and Lee is continually disappointed that he’s not the center of Cole’s attention. When Cole and Lee discover they have a bit of a kink for leather and spankings, they spend a night creating memories that Lee knows he’ll never forget. But, yet again, Cole’s attention wanders to the young man the next day.

Pushed to the limit, Lee confronts Cole and finally gets the answer. The young man is Cole’s nephew and is recovering from the death of his partner. Unfortunately, over the next few days, his behaviors interfere with the budding romance between Lee and Cole, and when a near-tragedy occurs, Cole has to leave the cruise to escort the boy home, and he departs, Lee loses all hope for any future contact. What happens next is not something I’m about to detail in the review due to spoilers, but it ultimately leads to a very definitely hopeful future for these well-matched men.

I enjoyed this story very much. The author allows the characters to explore their kinky side to the point where the story might be classed as light BDSM, yet she also gives them life beyond the bedroom. Their shared enjoyment of various activities, topics of conversation, and life circumstances all combine to make their compatibility very evident, despite the mismatch in their careers and economic status. . Their personalities are well-developed; their attraction to each other is believable; and the story is interesting and fun.

If you love contemporary M/M romance, you should enjoy this. The BDSM is light, so those who normally aren’t attracted shouldn’t have any major issues with it. Those who like it will enjoy the leather and spanking kink, and those who just want to find a good book to read at the beach should look no further.

[Vanessa theJeepDiva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun in the sun with the man you love should have been Lee’s dream getaway. Instead he is forced at the last minute due to an unwanted (but much needed) breakup to find new cabin accommodations or give up going on the trip all together. It doesn’t take Lee long at all to realize that the new cabin (away from the retched ex-boyfriend) has perks that have never been mentioned in any vacation brochures. Cole is everything that anyone could ever want in a man and he seems to reciprocate some of Lee’s lusty desires.

In the end I truly needed Lee to go on a cruise that he enjoyed thoroughly from beginning to end. Ryan and Cole both ruined his dream cruise vacation. While one was expected and the other was needed I was left wanting something different for Lee where his vacation was concerned. Cole did however come through for Lee and give him the happily ever after that matched their relationship perfectly.

From the description alone I was expecting more sex and more kink. I was expecting an erotic romance. The sex and kink was implied more often than fleshed out in every detail while enacted. That said this was by no means a sexless book. Cole and Lee get up to plenty of fun and sexy. It was just a touch lighter that what I had expected.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, rounded down for now (may round up later. I'm still weighing it).

Review Now Available @ Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

Edit:
After writing my review I decided to round down. I'm just too eh about the book to round up to four.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this be a rather strange concoction: gay cruise; instant lust/love; kink; suicidal student; and an obnoxious ex are all thrown together for "fun" in the sun. Of the MCs, Lee is annoying and Cole seems too good to be true. At least there is a HEA.

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

What took me so long to read this one? It's a fun, easy story with a sweet romance, and a nice dash of Davitt's wonderfully well written BDSM scenes. Very nice.

[Lois - Who Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Lee's boyfriend suggests that they use their upcoming cruise vacation as an opportunity to sleep with other men, Lee finally opens his eyes and kicks Ryan out. Unfortunately, Ryan still has his ticket and plans on going on the cruise. Now Lee has to share a room with Cole – not that sharing a room with Cole is a terrible hardship.

Even though Cole has a very serious reason for being on-board, Cole and Lee have some impossible to ignore chemistry flying back and forth. I absolutely loved that these men were playing at D/s. Neither of them would make one of these roles a life choice, but sex games are altogether different.

“Such a good boy.” Cole's kiss was light, casual, inflaming Lee's senses more than a passionate assault on his lips. “Now pour me a drink before we head out. A small whiskey. We can watch the sun go down on the balcony.”

“Do I get a drink, too?”

Cole glanced back, the leash sliding free of is hand when he walked away. “Water if you're thirsty, by all means.”

He framed an objection but swallowed it unspoken. He'd asked; Cole had answered. If he didn't like the answer, that was tough. But his his fleeting resentment was telling. He wasn't cut out to obey every command. He didn't get a submissive thrill from being denied a drink at all. Not one little bit.

Watching the sunset from his knees – leash once again in Cole's grip – didn't suck through.

There are some rather angsty parts of this book, but overall a good read.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

3.25 stars

Closing the Loop is a fast-paced read with a decent balance of passion, angst, and humor. Unfortunately, it also struggles to maintain a sense of realism and one of the main characters isn’t consistently likable. Let’s hit the high points first. The plot is, save one exception I’ll talk about later, fairly well paced and as a result the narrative never feels bogged down. Jane Davitt is a strong writer with a distinctive flair for giving the reader a nice blend of romance, kink, and emotion without any one aspect devouring the other. It’s one of the reasons I’m usually quick to pick up a book with her name on the cover.

In Closing the Loop we’ve got one enjoyable character and one that falls far short of expectation. Joseph Cole is wealthy, well educated, and clearly devoted to his chosen profession as a civil right lawyer, almost to the exclusion of a personal life. Yet he’s just as devoted to his family and doesn’t hesitate to do what he must in order to secure passage aboard the Amarillo, where he tries to keep his nephew from harm. These traits give the impression of a selfless, private man who deserves to have a little fun in his life. I enjoyed experiencing both his initial reluctance to unwind and eventual acceptance of letting go.

Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty average book for me. I liked the chemistry between the two characters together but separately they didn't do much for me. Cole seemed very uptight and stilted. Lee seemed rather stupid at times with his choices of boyfriends and expectations of Cole. I'm not sure why the ex was included in the cruise since he really never made much of an impact and he seemed over the top stereotypical ex asshole. I enjoyed the two together in bed but the rest of the book just seemed "Meh" to me.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. Even though I am a sucker for a cheating ex plot, this one was just ok.

[Ay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book. Nice guys. I really enjoyed the way they consciously communicated with each other.

[Heidi Dover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a light fun read, but nothing much deeper. the set-up stretched my suspension of disbelief, and I never really felt the instant connection between them (esp on Cole's part, that wasn't very deeply shown or explained, imho). Ignore all that and it's a decent light read.

[ItsAboutTheBook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review can be read at It's About The Book

2.5 stars

I expected to like this book more than I did. I just couldn’t connect to or like the characters. I’d expect a gay cruise to be a tad bit more fun to read about but neither guy was on it to hook up or join in the festivities. Which would have also been fine IF I enjoyed the guys falling in love. One is on the cruise to watch his suicidal nephew. That story line may have been meant to add some depth and conflict between the couple for the story, but for me it was just a downer that took away from the couple. Maybe if I’d actually felt any real pain from his sad situation it would have had more of an affect on me. Lee was supposed to be rooming with his boyfriend but they broke up right before the trip. However the boyfriend is still going and taking up half of their room. He also told Lee he’d be screwing half the boat in the room Lee paid for. Despicable little man! Forcing Lee to upgrade and share a suite with a stranger who just happens to be the older hunky guy named Cole he tried to get on the cruise weeks before. Cole denies Lee’s very forward initial advances despite them having to share a bed, but a few hours spent together changes his mind and Lee has Cole bent over the bathroom sink in no time!

Now about the sex. There’s a ton. Some may like that. There’s some spanking and D/s play as the guys explore their kinky freedom on the seas. Honestly there was just too much sex for me personally. I just need more than sex to enjoy a book. But that’s my preference. Lee, who says he usually bottoms, gets super toppy and screws Cole. I think huh…younger smaller man is going to dominate the older bigger guy. Cole even says he needs somebody to take over so he stops thinking so hard. Okay. Then things change. After 24 hours together Lee learns he likes Cole to dominate him. He also likes it a little rough. And that’s kind of where things stay after that In the bedroom.

I found Lee to be pretty annoying. He’s very needy one minute and dramatic the next. At times he was pretty ridiculous with his expectations of Cole considering his sole purpose for being on the boat was to watch his suicidal nephew. Cole was portrayed as this rich handsome lawyer who was just too good to be true. I just didn’t get them as a couple or ultimately care if they stayed together after they got off the cruise. Cole not texting Lee back because he lost his phone and never got the texts wasn’t realistic to me. Cole has all this money, I’m sure he went out and bought a phone the next day. He would have gotten those texts then. Seemed pretty dramatic to wait two weeks for them to connect again. Of course Lee had to lecture and yell at Cole after he whined and pouted for the two weeks when Cole finally contacts him. Even though he’d wanted him to. Then he instantly forgives him and wants sex. Even Cole’s reasons he listed for wanting Lee back was mostly listing graphic sexual things.

Soooo…if you’re wanting a sex filled book with some other things thrown in you might like this. There’s definitely insta love/lust. Opposites attract. I just think it lacked depth. The characters weren’t likable and one dimensional. The story was rushed and boring. For me this book felt like a list of things that just never quite came together. Hell the miscommunication aspect wasn’t even well done. If I hadn’t agreed to review it, I would have DNF it for sure.

[liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book a few weeks ago, and I’m still not over the disappointment. I loved Ms. Davitt's Life Drawing but Closing the Loop was not for me.

There were some clever lines and evidence of the writing style I liked previously, but there was far more OHMYGOSHWHAT’SEVENHAPPENING moments. I don’t make a habit of quoting books in my reviews, as I think most things need context. That said, I’m providing quotes here to illustrate my extreme displeasure.

First, an example of something that made me smile:

“Gay cruises. Whoever invented them deserved a rainbow-shaped medal.”

And then there’s this little gem which takes place after Lee’s near drowning experience in the sea while giving a blow job:

“After a few swallows of water to wash away the salt -- and with it, regrettably, the oddly similar but richer taste of cum -- he felt better.”

I think my eyes bugged out of my head. I know I reread this and lines preceding it several times to be sure I got it right. First, the least sexy blow job ever in public wherein Lee has nearly choked to death ON THE SEA WATER and was then tumbled by a wave. Then came some minor hysteria, because least sexy blow job led to unsexy choking and near vomit. We’re meant to believe Lee not only tasted Cole's cum (ew, spelling), but that it has a much richer taste than salt water. Ladies and gentlemen and people of any gender, I object. I can suspend disbelief for many things, even sexual things I find not sexy, but this goes too far. I have been tumbled by the ocean, and I have had the less than thrilling salt water sinus wash that’s part of that deal, and I am telling you, NO WAY is it “richer” than cum (gag, spelling).

This is only one of several unbelievable sexual encounters between these two leads. There’s another on and against a bathroom countertop that I’m convinced would have caused irreparable damage to at least the counter. And I’m a fan of all kinds of kink even when it’s not my kink, but I expect the author to sell me on why the character’s find it sexy. There was a moment of foreplay with the much-discussed gloves in this book that had me squicking out loud. Not the reaction I hope for when reading sexy times.

Beyond the sex, this book has stilted dialogue and immature miscommunication drama. While Cole is supposed to be The Older Man, it’s still frustrating to find his lover Lee behaving as if he’s an hormonal teenager. Their relationship is difficult to invest in. What does Cole see in Lee? And Cole isn’t the most forthcoming dude either. For someone older and supposedly wiser, he mucks up pretty well too.

All around, I was terribly dissatisfied with this book. The others I have by this author will certainly be read, as I so enjoyed Life Drawing, and I’m willing to give Ms. Davitt's other works a chance. Sadly, Closing the Loop won’t be reread or recommended by me.

Copy of book provided by publisher. Review first posted to All About Romance.

[Jojo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lee has broken up with his cheating ex and is going on the gay cruise they had planned. To avoid the scumbag ex, he upgrades to a presidential suite. Only he has to share it with Cole. A smoking hot lawyer who is the one person on this cruise who isn't looking to hook up. Lee sets out to change that and some kink and some drama and a couple of "awwws" ensue.

This book is a short novella. I liked it. I didn't love it. The opening part felt rushed. Too much exposition and a really strange pace to it. I think a good deal of it could have been left as back story that was revealed once they were on the boat. I don't know. I just know I was skimming a little. Once Lee and Cole are together, I was all about it. I really love how hilariously self aware Lee is. He knows what he's about. He makes some bold moves. I liked that. There was one scene where he could have let drama move around him and avoided potential conflict that could have lead to misunderstanding and hurt... instead, he confronts it face on. It doesn't work out. But at least he wasn't passive. I still don't see how this is the guy who let his ex treat him the way he did. And Cole is self assured and hot and really a good person.

There is a whole story line involving Cole's reason for being on the cruise and his relationship with another passenger. But that was mostly background noise to me. It was a good story, but it mostly served to show Cole and Lee and how they reacted and moved around each other and through a crisis. It worked well for that. And it was a heart breaking little side story.

Now, about the kink. I actually really enjoyed it. Neither of them was really kinky before this cruise. And they were sort of working through it together. I liked that they weren't in the lifestyle or going to be. They didn't fall into set roles. They were just two guys who realized that together they liked playing with control and some pain and were really open to it. And it was hot.

So yeah, nice book. Not great. But good.

[The Novel Approach · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars ~ Lee is a travel agent who’s having a particularly boring day, when a lovely gentleman comes in, wanting to book a gay cruise—one that Lee happens to know is sold out since he’s on it. He gets the man on the waitlist and thinks that’s it, which is too bad. But Lee has a boyfriend, so nothing to be done about it anyway.

Except that later that night, Lee doesn’t have a boyfriend anymore. He throws his cheating BF out with his belongings, and does what he can to change his accommodations on the ship since he booked the BF’s ticket in the BF’s name and can’t change it. Of course, when he upgrades to the open suite, his roommate turns out to be none other than Cole—the gentleman he’d got on the waitlist. Hot damn, Lee thinks! This could be a great vacation.

But things get off to a bit of a rocky start, and then there is some sort of secret that Cole is hiding. I don’t want to spoil, so just suffice to say there is a lot going on with a family situation that Cole has to deal with, and that Lee is suspicious of Cole along the way.

As Lee and Cole get closer and explore their kinky sides, the family drama heats up as well. This drama takes center stage and upsets the rhythm of this newfound relationship. When Cole has to focus on his family situation, Lee is quite unhappy.

Closing the Loop was a pretty interesting story, although I felt the relationship developed a bit faster than normal—but vacations where you spend so much time with other people can be very intense in the moment, for sure. I did enjoy Lee and Cole together, and liked watching them work through the issues that came up, but I would have liked a little more of the story after the cruise because I didn’t fully connect with Cole. He’s definitely reserved, but I would have liked to see more of his personality and how he and Cole related in the real world.

Reviewed by Sadonna for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...

[Samington · Rating 1 out of 5]

Christ, Lee was a whiny, needy, narcissistic little toadstool. Self-absorbed, callous, nosey, demanding, petulant, and stupid. I spent most of the book (when I wasn't yawning) hoping he would fall over the railing of the ship and be dragged into the depths by the weight of his own big head.

Even beyond his worthlessness, the book was just bad. The plot was nothing to write home about-- as other reviewers have pointed out in more depth, the original premise is an obvious, paper-thin device to get the two MCs in extended close contact; no one with any sense would actually agree to such a scenario-- and Cole was a bland hunk who vacillated between being tediously straitlaced and weirdly sexual as the plot required. Plus, the way he spilled Justin's dirty laundry to Lee, a stranger he'd known for three days, was inexcusable. Add in pointless drama from the world's most cliché ~evil ex and a tooth-grindingly stupid misunderstanding in the last act, and you get this atrocity. No thanks.

[Zoe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hm, that wasn't really what I was expecting. Though it wasn't bad at all, the book somehow felt unfinished. Like it was only the first try of this story and needed to be fleshed out a little bit more, like there were some pages missing in between that were waiting to be filled in later. Just when I thought, things would really start rolling, it all ended really apruptly in the second third and that was a bit confusing. I think I understand the reason for this regarding the concept of the overall story, but I didn't really like it nevertheless.

I liked the two MCs, though I didn't really connect with them. And somehow they felt a bit tame and kind of a little...boring in their views and actions (and I don't mean the sex here ;-) (Although I'm used to a little bit more steam from Jane Davitts other books :-P)

I really like a lot of Jane Davitts books but this one felt a bit off for me. But maybe it's just me. Will try the next one again for sure.

[A.B. Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find it interesting that the things I like about Jane Davitt's books are things that turn some readers off. She steps outside traditional mm romance boundaries, and I hope she continues to do so. For example, one of her main characters is a third generation Brit and the color of his skin is a non issue. The other character gets dumped by his boyfriend and instead of being emotionally distraught is kicking himself for not seeing the signs earlier. Perhaps their rational behaviour doesn't press emotional buttons, but I appreciate that. If you read her books, that is a common characteristic. Where most writers would turn right, she turns left. I think this leaves some readers off balance. I enjoy the different scenery.

[Gigi]

Poor GR friend reviews.

[Sadonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Full review available at The Novel Approach

[Florebunda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cruise. Bed sharing. Yum.

[Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars


The Sexy times were hot but the insta-love /lust the gay cruise ect. Lee's whining and Cole's perfection it just didn't work for me.
I liked the HEA.