What do you think?
Rate this book
Whistle Blower
Money can’t buy happiness. Jacob Nussbaum knows this better than anyone. He's a corporate lawyer deep inside a huge New York firm, where he works overtime, sacrifices any chance at a personal life, and has been selling his soul for years. With a secretary as his only friend, he trudges on, until his whole world is blown apart by a manila envelope of photos—evidence that one of the firm’s partners is the dirtiest lawyer in one hell of a filthy business.
In search of the truth, Jacob travels to a small northern Wisconsin fishing resort. There he meets Ben Anderson, a brutally lonely man, who knocks him off his feet. Ben prompts Jacob to reevaluate his life. He’s a dozen years older than Jacob, still recovering from the death of his long time love, and doesn’t want to leave anyone a widower. But a jaded New Yorker on a soul-searching mission might be just the man to convince the grieving Ben that it's never too late to begin again.
In search of the truth, Jacob travels to a small northern Wisconsin fishing resort. There he meets Ben Anderson, a brutally lonely man, who knocks him off his feet. Ben prompts Jacob to reevaluate his life. He’s a dozen years older than Jacob, still recovering from the death of his long time love, and doesn’t want to leave anyone a widower. But a jaded New Yorker on a soul-searching mission might be just the man to convince the grieving Ben that it's never too late to begin again.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2016
1 person is currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Dev Bentham
25 books127 followersDev Bentham believes in the transformative power of true love. She’s the author of many gay romances, including Moving in Rhythm, August Ice and the Tarnished Souls Jewish Holiday series.
Over the years, she’s lived in way too many places and had far too many jobs, but she’s finally settled in frozen northern Wisconsin where she draws on her former lives to write enduring love stories in which wonderful men find each other. Her restless feet take her globetrotting whenever she gets the chance, but most of the time she’s tucked up in her office in the woods dreaming about romance.
Over the years, she’s lived in way too many places and had far too many jobs, but she’s finally settled in frozen northern Wisconsin where she draws on her former lives to write enduring love stories in which wonderful men find each other. Her restless feet take her globetrotting whenever she gets the chance, but most of the time she’s tucked up in her office in the woods dreaming about romance.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 3, 2016
Dev Bentham's books have a strong sense of place. In August Ice, Antarctica becomes another MC, the gorgeous but cruel mistress. In this book, an island in Northern Wisconsin serves as a catalyst, and a prison.
Two years after the death of his partner, Ben is still grieving, which isn't excessive considering more than two decades of friendship and love. Ben lives on an isolated island, shepherding tourists to and fro the mainland. Jacob catches Ben's eye because he doesn't belong.
Suspecting corruption at his law firm, Jacob visits the island hoping to confront a man who may have played a role in some underhanded dealings related to an environmental case. The man cancels his trip at the last minute, but Jacob stays.
This story is seeped in melancholy. August Ice had the same broody essence. Both Jacob and Ben are complex characters, but I never felt the passion between them.
Even though Bentham excels at writing captivating prose and interesting (often Jewish) MCs, her sex scenes feel flat and uninspired.
Ben and Jacob spend much of the story apart. Ben worries that at 50 he's too old for Jacob, who is 33. After all, Ben's partner was 17 years older and Ben lost him far too soon.
Nothing is really resolved until the last couple chapters, and considering the obstacles Jacob and Ben have to overcome, the ending seemed rushed and tentative.
Whistle Blower is strangely depressing. I needed more romance, more LIGHT, but I would recommend for a quiet, contemplative read.
Two years after the death of his partner, Ben is still grieving, which isn't excessive considering more than two decades of friendship and love. Ben lives on an isolated island, shepherding tourists to and fro the mainland. Jacob catches Ben's eye because he doesn't belong.
Suspecting corruption at his law firm, Jacob visits the island hoping to confront a man who may have played a role in some underhanded dealings related to an environmental case. The man cancels his trip at the last minute, but Jacob stays.
This story is seeped in melancholy. August Ice had the same broody essence. Both Jacob and Ben are complex characters, but I never felt the passion between them.
Even though Bentham excels at writing captivating prose and interesting (often Jewish) MCs, her sex scenes feel flat and uninspired.
Ben and Jacob spend much of the story apart. Ben worries that at 50 he's too old for Jacob, who is 33. After all, Ben's partner was 17 years older and Ben lost him far too soon.
Nothing is really resolved until the last couple chapters, and considering the obstacles Jacob and Ben have to overcome, the ending seemed rushed and tentative.
Whistle Blower is strangely depressing. I needed more romance, more LIGHT, but I would recommend for a quiet, contemplative read.
April 6, 2017
**4.5 stars** I loved that story, the MCs, the plot and the writing.
Jacob, a 36 year-old New Yorker, is totally dedicated to his job as a lawyer, vowing he would never have to survive anymore on food stamps. And he did well, but wonders if he has not sold his soul and feels more lonely than ever. So, when signs of corruption of one of his fellow partner end up on his desk, he can’t look away. He decides to track down a retired lawyer, who could confirm this corruption, down to a resort located on an island in Wisconsin. There, he meets Ben, the 50-year-old and widower owner of the resort. Ben is very attractive, a good listener and Jacob is surprised to confide in Ben and gets more and more attracted to him.
But they have so many differences to tackle : age-gap, location, jobs, circles, and most of all, Ben is still grieving his former partner of 20 years, 20 years in being together, but also 20 years of age difference. But there are 2 things that unite them : the huge sense of emptiness in their life and a deep attraction between them.
I truly enjoy Dev Bentham’s writing. I was totally enthralled by August Ice and this book was no different. The characters are well fleshed out and the romance is there, and I could feel the loneliness and inner conflicts of Jacob and Ben through and through. But it was worth it and I’m glad they got their HEA, which, even though happened like a wall suddenly crumbling down, didn’t feel rushed at all to me.
My only niggle : Ben ex-partner was a bit too present. And it’s not enough steamy, even though it didn’t really bothered me that much.
My second read from this author and not the last one !!
Jacob, a 36 year-old New Yorker, is totally dedicated to his job as a lawyer, vowing he would never have to survive anymore on food stamps. And he did well, but wonders if he has not sold his soul and feels more lonely than ever. So, when signs of corruption of one of his fellow partner end up on his desk, he can’t look away. He decides to track down a retired lawyer, who could confirm this corruption, down to a resort located on an island in Wisconsin. There, he meets Ben, the 50-year-old and widower owner of the resort. Ben is very attractive, a good listener and Jacob is surprised to confide in Ben and gets more and more attracted to him.
But they have so many differences to tackle : age-gap, location, jobs, circles, and most of all, Ben is still grieving his former partner of 20 years, 20 years in being together, but also 20 years of age difference. But there are 2 things that unite them : the huge sense of emptiness in their life and a deep attraction between them.
I truly enjoy Dev Bentham’s writing. I was totally enthralled by August Ice and this book was no different. The characters are well fleshed out and the romance is there, and I could feel the loneliness and inner conflicts of Jacob and Ben through and through. But it was worth it and I’m glad they got their HEA, which, even though happened like a wall suddenly crumbling down, didn’t feel rushed at all to me.
My only niggle : Ben ex-partner was a bit too present. And it’s not enough steamy, even though it didn’t really bothered me that much.
My second read from this author and not the last one !!
May 2, 2016
There's something corrupt happening in Jacob's law office and he unwillingly has the beginning thread to unravel it. Before he can blow the whistle and expose the corruption, he's going to have to get his facts straight, and that means going to a remote fishing resort to track down an old colleague.
An old colleague that's notorious for cancelling.
Stuck in the middle of nowhere for the weekend, Jacob has never been more out of his element.
That awkwardness starts to ease when he meets Ben, the resort owner, who wears his loneliness and grief like a second skin. He's still reeling from the loss of his partner of 25 years who died two years before. When he meets Jacob, there's no denying they're both attracted to each other, but neither is looking for a relationship.
Surely, they can keep it casual, right?
Maybe not. Because there's a connection there that neither can deny, and a friendship develops that neither was expecting. And it remains just as strong, regardless of time passing or the distance between them.
Soon enough, Jacob has to hide the fact that he wants more. He's breaking all the rules when it comes to remaining unattached, but he doesn't know how to stop the feelings that keep growing for Ben. Ben is struggling as well, and trying to stick to his guns. After all, he's too old for Jacob, and he'll be damned if he puts Jacob through what he went through. He's not going to let Jacob watch him eventually die.
There's this whole corruption plot to the story line that to be honest, didn't hold my attention. Mainly, because I'm a sucker for finding new love after the death of an old one. You know, that moment of hope, where they realize they can love again? Yeah, I'm all over that. Coupled with Jacob's realization that life is more than the hours you put in at work, and it's like I'm wearing blinders.
Everything else falls to the wayside - corrupt lawyers, a mystery to solve, and information to seek out - none of it could hold a candle to these two men. Ben and Jacob have a beautiful connection and fantastic chemistry. I seriously wanted more of these men.
But they're not without their baggage. Make sure you have tissues, because Ben will do some serious tugging on your heartstrings. He's in the final stages of grieving, and I'd be impressed if you can get through it without your eyes misting because of it. There's also the age gap that Ben just can't see past, even when it's a non issue for Jacob.
And Jacob is not immune either. He's struggling to make some changes in his life, and he's increasingly disillusioned with his career choice.
All in all, things got wrapped up rather neatly and quickly (too neatly, in fact) but this is still a lovely read. I would have loved an Epilogue, but I'm sure I'll have no problem imagining these two together in their future, with their HEA.
There's a slow burning romance at the heart of this story, and along with the author's fantastic writing, you'll find it an easy read.
Sometimes, when the dust clears, the path is a simple one.
An old colleague that's notorious for cancelling.
Stuck in the middle of nowhere for the weekend, Jacob has never been more out of his element.
That awkwardness starts to ease when he meets Ben, the resort owner, who wears his loneliness and grief like a second skin. He's still reeling from the loss of his partner of 25 years who died two years before. When he meets Jacob, there's no denying they're both attracted to each other, but neither is looking for a relationship.
Surely, they can keep it casual, right?
Maybe not. Because there's a connection there that neither can deny, and a friendship develops that neither was expecting. And it remains just as strong, regardless of time passing or the distance between them.
Soon enough, Jacob has to hide the fact that he wants more. He's breaking all the rules when it comes to remaining unattached, but he doesn't know how to stop the feelings that keep growing for Ben. Ben is struggling as well, and trying to stick to his guns. After all, he's too old for Jacob, and he'll be damned if he puts Jacob through what he went through. He's not going to let Jacob watch him eventually die.
There's this whole corruption plot to the story line that to be honest, didn't hold my attention. Mainly, because I'm a sucker for finding new love after the death of an old one. You know, that moment of hope, where they realize they can love again? Yeah, I'm all over that. Coupled with Jacob's realization that life is more than the hours you put in at work, and it's like I'm wearing blinders.
Everything else falls to the wayside - corrupt lawyers, a mystery to solve, and information to seek out - none of it could hold a candle to these two men. Ben and Jacob have a beautiful connection and fantastic chemistry. I seriously wanted more of these men.
But they're not without their baggage. Make sure you have tissues, because Ben will do some serious tugging on your heartstrings. He's in the final stages of grieving, and I'd be impressed if you can get through it without your eyes misting because of it. There's also the age gap that Ben just can't see past, even when it's a non issue for Jacob.
And Jacob is not immune either. He's struggling to make some changes in his life, and he's increasingly disillusioned with his career choice.
All in all, things got wrapped up rather neatly and quickly (too neatly, in fact) but this is still a lovely read. I would have loved an Epilogue, but I'm sure I'll have no problem imagining these two together in their future, with their HEA.
There's a slow burning romance at the heart of this story, and along with the author's fantastic writing, you'll find it an easy read.
Sometimes, when the dust clears, the path is a simple one.
I love you. It's as simple as that.
February 9, 2016
I enjoy Dev Bentham's previous stories that I ended up buying this one without even looking at the blurb. Only looking at the title
Whistle Blower
I thought it would be something very suspenseful, about a corporate spy and such. Well, turned out that the story instead offered a lovely relationship that built between a 36-year-old corporate lawyer/partner Jacob Nussbaum and a 50-year-old Ben Anderson whom Jacob met when he traveled to a small fishing island
There was a quite strong feel of loneliness from both men. Jacob spent all of his time working, he didn't really have friends much less boyfriend (his latest left him because he was too much into his work). Jacob's best friend was his office secretary. Meanwhile Ben lost his own partner to cancer two years previous. Ben still kept his partner's clothes and hadn't really ready to fully move on.
Those feeling didn't drag the story down though, at least for me. I thought it made the story rather quiet and contemplative, especially when Jacob and Ben were spending time just the two of them at the island, either Ben teaching Jacob to row, or when they were hiking together.
And while together they were opening up about themselves and grew closer. Jacob told Ben about why he visited the island -- Jacob had a moment of epiphany, questioning about his own soul while doing his job, and he went there to talk to a witness -- and about his lonely life while in New York City. While Ben told Jacob about Manny, his partner, whom he had been together for 25 years.
The obstacle of their relationship came from the fact that they lived apart and the age-gap between them. Ben thought that Jacob was too young for him, he didn't want Jacob to have to feel what he felt right now, being left alone because the possibility of Ben died first (Ben's deceased partner was 17 years older than Ben).
I loved the story very much!! I loved the progress of the two men into the relationship. Maybe because of their age, it also felt mature. I loved the different feel between the small fishing island where Ben lived, and the city where Ben came to visit Jacob.
There was one conversation that just struck me to the very core, I had to highlight it.
This is probably my most favorite read from Dev Bentham to date. Sometimes not reading the blurb at all pays off well :)
There was a quite strong feel of loneliness from both men. Jacob spent all of his time working, he didn't really have friends much less boyfriend (his latest left him because he was too much into his work). Jacob's best friend was his office secretary. Meanwhile Ben lost his own partner to cancer two years previous. Ben still kept his partner's clothes and hadn't really ready to fully move on.
Those feeling didn't drag the story down though, at least for me. I thought it made the story rather quiet and contemplative, especially when Jacob and Ben were spending time just the two of them at the island, either Ben teaching Jacob to row, or when they were hiking together.
And while together they were opening up about themselves and grew closer. Jacob told Ben about why he visited the island -- Jacob had a moment of epiphany, questioning about his own soul while doing his job, and he went there to talk to a witness -- and about his lonely life while in New York City. While Ben told Jacob about Manny, his partner, whom he had been together for 25 years.
The obstacle of their relationship came from the fact that they lived apart and the age-gap between them. Ben thought that Jacob was too young for him, he didn't want Jacob to have to feel what he felt right now, being left alone because the possibility of Ben died first (Ben's deceased partner was 17 years older than Ben).
I loved the story very much!! I loved the progress of the two men into the relationship. Maybe because of their age, it also felt mature. I loved the different feel between the small fishing island where Ben lived, and the city where Ben came to visit Jacob.
There was one conversation that just struck me to the very core, I had to highlight it.
Jacob grunted. “I’ve thought that about myself. It’s funny to think of New York as a solitary place, but even though there are people everywhere, and it’s never silent, it’s easy to be alone. I go to work, stay late, and come home to sleep. That’s about it.”
Ben nodded. “It’s the same everywhere, isn’t it? You’ve got all those cultural events—some of the world’s finest museums, theater, music—and you probably don’t ever go unless you’re entertaining someone from out of town, just like I don’t fish or hike or paddle a kayak on my own.”
This is probably my most favorite read from Dev Bentham to date. Sometimes not reading the blurb at all pays off well :)
February 5, 2016
If the category workplace mystery - analogous to murder mystery - existed, this book would be a great example of what that looks like. Corruption in governments, large corporations, and even international sports organizations exists and is more or less well known since regular accusations and cases are well covered by the press. I admit that I am not very familiar with law firms and their potential dark machinations, so this book was fascinating for that reason alone. Lawyers are supposed to help uphold the law and make sure justice prevails, but they are also human beings and just as susceptible to crookedness as the rest of us. The other great things about ‘Whistle Blower’ are that it has wonderfully complex characters, an interesting plot with lots of twists, and a moral dilemma that is not easy to solve. Add a deliciously slow-burning romance between two men who are an entirely unlikely match, and I was one happy reader.
Jacob may have reached partner level in his firm and be financially secure, but the price he pays for staying at this level is considerable. Long workweeks, following corporate policy and billing to ensure they make a profit, no personal life, and no friends other than his personal assistant, Seong. He has never really thought about doing anything else, but when the manila envelope arrives with photos of an environmental disaster caused by one of his firm’s multimillion-dollar clients, Jacob’s world begins to unravel. He isn’t sure what is going on at first, but his curiosity is piqued, and he begins to dig for details, ending up in a northern Wisconsin fishing resort during his investigation. The decision he has to make about staying true to himself and doing the right thing by exposing one of his colleagues on the one hand and staying silent to keep his career intact is not an easy one.
Ben is a very different man. About fifteen years older than Jacob, he has lost his lover to cancer and is more than reluctant to start a new relationship. The thought of making someone else go through losing him has stopped him so far. Jacob may be a jaded New Yorker, a city boy on a mission to find the truth, but he gets to Ben in a way that makes it hard for Ben to resist. Opening up and becoming vulnerable (again) is not easy, but Ben is so lonely that I kept hoping he’d be able to let go of his worries and dive in again.
‘Whistle Blower’ is a good mystery about a couple of things. Who keeps sending Jacob information? How corrupt is his boss? Can Jacob uncover it all before it's too late? But it is also a journey for Jacob and Ben - both as individuals and as a couple. Jacob challenges the way Ben thinks about relationships, and Ben prompts Jacob to be honest about what is going on at work and enables him to deal with the mess. The addition of quirky secondary characters like Jacob’s assistant, Seong, and Ben’s sister-in-law, Miriam, provides depth and relief from the tension.
If you like stories about corruption and those who feel a calling to fight it, if a slow-burning romance between men who don’t seem to be a good match are your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that is suspenseful, a little out of the ordinary, and full of emotion and passion, then you will probably like this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Jacob may have reached partner level in his firm and be financially secure, but the price he pays for staying at this level is considerable. Long workweeks, following corporate policy and billing to ensure they make a profit, no personal life, and no friends other than his personal assistant, Seong. He has never really thought about doing anything else, but when the manila envelope arrives with photos of an environmental disaster caused by one of his firm’s multimillion-dollar clients, Jacob’s world begins to unravel. He isn’t sure what is going on at first, but his curiosity is piqued, and he begins to dig for details, ending up in a northern Wisconsin fishing resort during his investigation. The decision he has to make about staying true to himself and doing the right thing by exposing one of his colleagues on the one hand and staying silent to keep his career intact is not an easy one.
Ben is a very different man. About fifteen years older than Jacob, he has lost his lover to cancer and is more than reluctant to start a new relationship. The thought of making someone else go through losing him has stopped him so far. Jacob may be a jaded New Yorker, a city boy on a mission to find the truth, but he gets to Ben in a way that makes it hard for Ben to resist. Opening up and becoming vulnerable (again) is not easy, but Ben is so lonely that I kept hoping he’d be able to let go of his worries and dive in again.
‘Whistle Blower’ is a good mystery about a couple of things. Who keeps sending Jacob information? How corrupt is his boss? Can Jacob uncover it all before it's too late? But it is also a journey for Jacob and Ben - both as individuals and as a couple. Jacob challenges the way Ben thinks about relationships, and Ben prompts Jacob to be honest about what is going on at work and enables him to deal with the mess. The addition of quirky secondary characters like Jacob’s assistant, Seong, and Ben’s sister-in-law, Miriam, provides depth and relief from the tension.
If you like stories about corruption and those who feel a calling to fight it, if a slow-burning romance between men who don’t seem to be a good match are your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that is suspenseful, a little out of the ordinary, and full of emotion and passion, then you will probably like this novel.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
March 12, 2017
"Some men were meant to be alone. Much as he wished it weren't true, he'd become one of them."
Jacob Nussbaum receives one helluva wake-up call when anonymous photographs appear on his desk, indicating that one of the firm's top lawyers bribed the opposing council in a devastating chemical spill case (think "Erin Brockovich"). Jacob decides to track down the now-retired opposing council, Carl Halverson, who is scheduled for a week of fishing at the remote Wildcat Island Resort in northern Wisconsin. When Jacob arrives to confront Halverson, he meets owner and proprietor Ben Anderson, a 50 year-old hard-bodied Brad Pitt look-alike with the saddest blue eyes.
Turns out Carl "The Cancellation King" Halverson is a no-show, and Jacob's unplanned vacation has him rethinking the job he has lived and breathed for the past 15 years. The growing attraction he feels for Ben also makes him aware he has been alone for far too long. Jacob's muscular olive skinned beauty reminds Ben of his partner of 25 years, Manny. But after helplessly watching Manny die from cancer at the age of 67, Ben does not want a younger lover to have to watch him die.
The attraction between Jacob and Ben is a delicious slow burn, and it ignites into some very hot and oh-so-sweet sex scenes. Bentham portrays their emotions and sensuality so beautifully. I think part of the steam in Whistle Blower is two men who have experienced love and loss, but find something in the other that they didn't really know they were longing for.
As the story continues, each man must decide what really matters. Do they dare to make wrongs right, dare to push beyond their pasts, and dare to love again?
I felt, at times, the pacing of the story was a bit off. There are several too-convenient plot devices to bring Ben and Jacob together, and while the "whistle blower" theme holds the book together, it is very much a subplot and the culmination seemed a bit rushed. The ending, while definitely a well-deserved HEA, came together around 95% and for a couple who had really struggled with some big issues, it all wrapped up a bit too suddenly and easily.
This is my first Dev Bentham book, and I look forward to reading more! As a fellow Midwestern, I can attest that her descriptions of a northern woods resort are spot-on, and the complexity of her characters is a definite strength.
Reviewed for
ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press (via Gay Book Reviews) in exchange for an honest review.
Jacob Nussbaum receives one helluva wake-up call when anonymous photographs appear on his desk, indicating that one of the firm's top lawyers bribed the opposing council in a devastating chemical spill case (think "Erin Brockovich"). Jacob decides to track down the now-retired opposing council, Carl Halverson, who is scheduled for a week of fishing at the remote Wildcat Island Resort in northern Wisconsin. When Jacob arrives to confront Halverson, he meets owner and proprietor Ben Anderson, a 50 year-old hard-bodied Brad Pitt look-alike with the saddest blue eyes.
Turns out Carl "The Cancellation King" Halverson is a no-show, and Jacob's unplanned vacation has him rethinking the job he has lived and breathed for the past 15 years. The growing attraction he feels for Ben also makes him aware he has been alone for far too long. Jacob's muscular olive skinned beauty reminds Ben of his partner of 25 years, Manny. But after helplessly watching Manny die from cancer at the age of 67, Ben does not want a younger lover to have to watch him die.
The attraction between Jacob and Ben is a delicious slow burn, and it ignites into some very hot and oh-so-sweet sex scenes. Bentham portrays their emotions and sensuality so beautifully. I think part of the steam in Whistle Blower is two men who have experienced love and loss, but find something in the other that they didn't really know they were longing for.
As the story continues, each man must decide what really matters. Do they dare to make wrongs right, dare to push beyond their pasts, and dare to love again?
I felt, at times, the pacing of the story was a bit off. There are several too-convenient plot devices to bring Ben and Jacob together, and while the "whistle blower" theme holds the book together, it is very much a subplot and the culmination seemed a bit rushed. The ending, while definitely a well-deserved HEA, came together around 95% and for a couple who had really struggled with some big issues, it all wrapped up a bit too suddenly and easily.
This is my first Dev Bentham book, and I look forward to reading more! As a fellow Midwestern, I can attest that her descriptions of a northern woods resort are spot-on, and the complexity of her characters is a definite strength.
Reviewed for
ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press (via Gay Book Reviews) in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2016
Jacob Nussbaum is 36 y/o and a partner in a corporate law firm. He’s worked tirelessly for his position, and his pay, but has recently received photographs from an anonymous source that implicate a fellow partner in a scheme to rig corporate payouts. He’s not sure how to deal with this; the implication that his firm is not dealing fairly with claimants–by buying off the opposing attorneys–is a real ethical problem for him. He decides to investigate on his own, and travels to the Northwoods of Wisconsin to track down an informant. While staying at the remote Wildcat Island Lodge to await his quarry, Jacob’s stymied by the postponement of arrival of the man he’s after. Having nothing else to do–imagine a slick Manhattan lawyer at a hunting/fishing retreat (talk about fish out of water!)–he requests lessons to learn sculling from the innkeeper, Ben.
Ben is 50 and still grieving the death of his lifemate, Manny. He fell for Manny, a man twenty years his senior, when he was just 23, and though Manny died two years ago from lung cancer, Ben cannot move on. He’s attracted to Jacob but refuses to entertain getting into a relationship again–and NOT with such a younger man. He could never bear the guilt of leaving a younger partner behind, as he rather feels Manny did. Still, Ben’s starving for companionship, as is Jacob. In the course of the week’s stay, Ben and Jacob develop a closeness that allows for the companionship they both crave. Jacob even confides in Ben regarding his investigation, and Ben is eager to help him connect with his flighty cancellation-prone guest.
Their night together is not enough and yet too much at the same time. They agree to keep in touch via email, and Ben promises to alert Jacob if his informant makes another reservation. As the weeks and months pass, both men find solace in their solitude by email. I really loved the slow burn here. And, how the awkwardness is real and still easily dispelled when Jacob returns to Wildcat Island. All is not easy and there are several reconnections and separations, for real–if hard to digest–reasons. Ben is so against making Jacob a mourner for him. Jacob has finally found a man he could seriously love–and they live 1000 miles apart. But geography is temporary as Jacob demonstrates and the resolution to the ethical crisis seemed written in the first chapter, with Jacob’s grave distaste.
This is an excellent low-ish steam romance with confident, compassionate mature men who are both fantastic. There’s not a word I’d change, not a scene I’d skip in the whole blessed book. There are sexytimes, but they’re more centered on the emotional context than the nitty-gritty details, and just as many are discussed in flashback as occur in real time on the page, hence my low-ish steam comment above. Complete sexual tension, complete desire, tons of guilt on Ben’s part–at first–but being with Jacob is a complete revelation in his staid life.
Ben is 50 and still grieving the death of his lifemate, Manny. He fell for Manny, a man twenty years his senior, when he was just 23, and though Manny died two years ago from lung cancer, Ben cannot move on. He’s attracted to Jacob but refuses to entertain getting into a relationship again–and NOT with such a younger man. He could never bear the guilt of leaving a younger partner behind, as he rather feels Manny did. Still, Ben’s starving for companionship, as is Jacob. In the course of the week’s stay, Ben and Jacob develop a closeness that allows for the companionship they both crave. Jacob even confides in Ben regarding his investigation, and Ben is eager to help him connect with his flighty cancellation-prone guest.
Their night together is not enough and yet too much at the same time. They agree to keep in touch via email, and Ben promises to alert Jacob if his informant makes another reservation. As the weeks and months pass, both men find solace in their solitude by email. I really loved the slow burn here. And, how the awkwardness is real and still easily dispelled when Jacob returns to Wildcat Island. All is not easy and there are several reconnections and separations, for real–if hard to digest–reasons. Ben is so against making Jacob a mourner for him. Jacob has finally found a man he could seriously love–and they live 1000 miles apart. But geography is temporary as Jacob demonstrates and the resolution to the ethical crisis seemed written in the first chapter, with Jacob’s grave distaste.
This is an excellent low-ish steam romance with confident, compassionate mature men who are both fantastic. There’s not a word I’d change, not a scene I’d skip in the whole blessed book. There are sexytimes, but they’re more centered on the emotional context than the nitty-gritty details, and just as many are discussed in flashback as occur in real time on the page, hence my low-ish steam comment above. Complete sexual tension, complete desire, tons of guilt on Ben’s part–at first–but being with Jacob is a complete revelation in his staid life.
February 5, 2016
Review by The Blogger Girls.
Jacob has devoted his life to his career, but his life is pretty empty. When he receives information that implies his firm has been making shady deals, his investigation leads him to Ben, who runs a fishing resort on an island in Wisconsin.
Ben is still grieving the loss of his partner of 20+ years two years after his death. He secludes himself on the island and runs the resort he and his partner owned with the help of his sister-in-law. He gets by with the occasional casual hookup with resort guests but has no interest in anything serious.
Jacob is at the resort to confront someone about the allegations he hopes will take down his current law firm. Unfortunately, or fortunately, that man has a habit of cancelling his vacation plans. Jacob and Ben hit it off, become friends and a casual hookup relationship begins. They carry on, meeting up whenever a chance at meeting up with the “suspect” occurs.
Jacob realizes what is missing from his life, but Ben is determined not to enter into a relationship with someone so much younger. He was much younger than his partner, and having to watch him suffer illness and die was too hard. He is adamant about this not happening with Jacob and him.
This was a really sweet, yet sometimes sad story. My heart broke for Ben and everything he had and lost with his partner. Ben and Jacob really were perfect for each other, and it was easy to forget the age difference. These guys had a very mature feel to their relationship, which I found very refreshing, even if Ben was a bit stubborn about things. The mystery surrounding the shady dealings was interesting in an Erin Brockovich sort of way, but it was their growing relationship that stole the show for me. I ended up really enjoying this story and will definitely be looking for more stories from this author in the future.
January 20, 2016
Jacob is a corporate lawyer who had loved his job until recently when he finds out that one of his partners at the law firm is dirty. On his investigation he meets Ben who owns the lodge Jacob is staying at. Ben lost his partner two years ago and since then he has been grieving and keeping to himself.
I thought this book had it's sweet moments along with the painful moments too. I felt so bad for Ben after losing his partner who he had been in love with for so many years. There is a lot Jacob and Ben go through in this book before they can admit their feelings for each other. I loved the way that Jacob was there for Ben but did not push him. There is also a age gap in this book too and I have to say I loved it!
I thought the way this author wrote these characters and this story was just so beautiful and sweet!
So I will leave this review with... I really loved this book and would recommend it!
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
I thought this book had it's sweet moments along with the painful moments too. I felt so bad for Ben after losing his partner who he had been in love with for so many years. There is a lot Jacob and Ben go through in this book before they can admit their feelings for each other. I loved the way that Jacob was there for Ben but did not push him. There is also a age gap in this book too and I have to say I loved it!
I thought the way this author wrote these characters and this story was just so beautiful and sweet!
So I will leave this review with... I really loved this book and would recommend it!
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
February 18, 2016
This was a great read. I really love the writing style of this author, understated but totally gripping. Now I'm waiting for her next book!
February 7, 2016
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I had never read anything by this author and the blurb caught my interest.
Ben is a 50 year-old widower whose long-time partner, Manny, died a couple of years ago at age 74. Ben lives in their lake resort which he operates with the help of Manny’s sister. He’s a lonely man who’s resigned to being single for the rest of his life. He is not celibate, but he does not actively pursue romantic interests either. When Jacob, a hot younger lawyer shows up at the resort aiming to get information from a regular at the resort, the two get close and begin a sexual relationship with the mutual understanding that it can’t be anything more. After all, Jacob is only there for a few days before he returns to New York, and neither of them want to commit to anything more serious than that.
The story is told in dual POV. From Ben’s POV, we get beautiful nature descriptions of the lake and surrounding nature. I felt transported there. Ben teaches Jacob how to use the scully (still don’t know exactly what that is but I pictured a canoe in my head and I guess that’s close enough for me to get the idea). There are so many scenes of the two of them bonding in the lake, as well as a pretty atmospheric setting when they’re caught out in a storm. Ben is very aware of the 14-year difference between them and he feels strongly about putting someone through what he went through with Manny, who had been 20+ years Ben’s senior. He keeps his emotional distance but everything in him screams that he wants to love again and give himself to another person.
Jacob’s life in New York is very monotonous and empty. He is partner in a corporate law firm, makes gazillions, and lives in a luxurious apartment that looks like a model home instead of an actual home. The case that drove him to the resort has Jacob wondering about the morality if his profession and whether he should be doing something more meaningful with his life. All this internal debate is described very well and I felt as though I got to know Jacob very well.
I loved that for the first half of the book or so they took things slow. This book isn’t a sex-fest and the few sex scenes that are included are relatively brief and not very inspiring. My main niggle with the pacing was that I was waiting for things to peak emotionally at some point but it never happened. It felt very flat throughout. The second part of the book has more information about the case and talking with informants, which I admit to skimming though because I didn’t care about it that much. There is a bit of couply angst (“I’m too old for you, no you’re not, let’s not be together, but we can work things out!) but I was either too disappointed by then to appreciate it or it just failed to mess with my emotions as much as I’d hoped.
Overall, this is a well written book, with beautiful prose, and well developed characters. The romance started out with a lot of promise but failed to deliver for me. I would recommend it –it’s good quality writing after all. It just didn’t work for me all that well.
ARC of Whistle Blower provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review. See this review at Gay Book Reviews.
Ben is a 50 year-old widower whose long-time partner, Manny, died a couple of years ago at age 74. Ben lives in their lake resort which he operates with the help of Manny’s sister. He’s a lonely man who’s resigned to being single for the rest of his life. He is not celibate, but he does not actively pursue romantic interests either. When Jacob, a hot younger lawyer shows up at the resort aiming to get information from a regular at the resort, the two get close and begin a sexual relationship with the mutual understanding that it can’t be anything more. After all, Jacob is only there for a few days before he returns to New York, and neither of them want to commit to anything more serious than that.
The story is told in dual POV. From Ben’s POV, we get beautiful nature descriptions of the lake and surrounding nature. I felt transported there. Ben teaches Jacob how to use the scully (still don’t know exactly what that is but I pictured a canoe in my head and I guess that’s close enough for me to get the idea). There are so many scenes of the two of them bonding in the lake, as well as a pretty atmospheric setting when they’re caught out in a storm. Ben is very aware of the 14-year difference between them and he feels strongly about putting someone through what he went through with Manny, who had been 20+ years Ben’s senior. He keeps his emotional distance but everything in him screams that he wants to love again and give himself to another person.
Jacob’s life in New York is very monotonous and empty. He is partner in a corporate law firm, makes gazillions, and lives in a luxurious apartment that looks like a model home instead of an actual home. The case that drove him to the resort has Jacob wondering about the morality if his profession and whether he should be doing something more meaningful with his life. All this internal debate is described very well and I felt as though I got to know Jacob very well.
I loved that for the first half of the book or so they took things slow. This book isn’t a sex-fest and the few sex scenes that are included are relatively brief and not very inspiring. My main niggle with the pacing was that I was waiting for things to peak emotionally at some point but it never happened. It felt very flat throughout. The second part of the book has more information about the case and talking with informants, which I admit to skimming though because I didn’t care about it that much. There is a bit of couply angst (“I’m too old for you, no you’re not, let’s not be together, but we can work things out!) but I was either too disappointed by then to appreciate it or it just failed to mess with my emotions as much as I’d hoped.
Overall, this is a well written book, with beautiful prose, and well developed characters. The romance started out with a lot of promise but failed to deliver for me. I would recommend it –it’s good quality writing after all. It just didn’t work for me all that well.
ARC of Whistle Blower provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review. See this review at Gay Book Reviews.
February 5, 2016
Whistle Blower was an excellent read, sweet while at the same time a little sad but also with some heat. The part of the storyline where the title comes from-with Jacob trying to uncover information about a shady lawyer in his firm-actually felt secondary to the part about the relationship that develops between Jacob and Ben. I was actually okay with this, as it gave a reason for them to meet and continue to see each other while putting the two of them front and center in the story.
Both Ben and Jacob are fantastic characters. They have depth and are quite likable, and even though there is a bit of an age difference they fit very well together. It did bug me a little bit how Ben kept wanting to brush Jacob off because of that age difference, but other than that I loved everything about the two of them.
I was surprised at the emotion the story evoked from me toward the end, and I have to say that overall this was a truly enjoyable read. The story flowed quite well and I found that by the end I really cared about both Ben and Jacob.
I've always found most serious M/M romance stories to be much more emotional than M/F romances, usually because of the nature of most M/M relationships--like one being closeted, unaccepting family and so on--but here in Whistle Blower you get an emotional story not just because of the characters, but because of the story itself.
4.5 wonderful stars for Whistle Blower, and I'd definitely recommend this for M/M romance fans. This one is for the 18+ group due to adult language and sexual content. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author!
Both Ben and Jacob are fantastic characters. They have depth and are quite likable, and even though there is a bit of an age difference they fit very well together. It did bug me a little bit how Ben kept wanting to brush Jacob off because of that age difference, but other than that I loved everything about the two of them.
I was surprised at the emotion the story evoked from me toward the end, and I have to say that overall this was a truly enjoyable read. The story flowed quite well and I found that by the end I really cared about both Ben and Jacob.
I've always found most serious M/M romance stories to be much more emotional than M/F romances, usually because of the nature of most M/M relationships--like one being closeted, unaccepting family and so on--but here in Whistle Blower you get an emotional story not just because of the characters, but because of the story itself.
4.5 wonderful stars for Whistle Blower, and I'd definitely recommend this for M/M romance fans. This one is for the 18+ group due to adult language and sexual content. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author!
April 29, 2016
This book was very well written but unfortunately I couldn´t make a connection with the MCs.
I couldn’t get interested in their love story. I felt like I didn’t know them at all, even by the end of the book. Ben’s reluctance to start a relationship with Jacob because of the age difference was very silly, and his idea that he didn’t want to be with him because he would die and leave him was strange. I mean, everybody dies, we don’t have a schedule for when a person is going to go. Jacob could die before him, but that doesn’t mean that while you live you can’t enjoy life to its fullest.
I was interested in the legal conflict, but I think the way it was solved was a little sloppy.
So, it was an ok read, if I had known the characters and formed a connection with them I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
I couldn’t get interested in their love story. I felt like I didn’t know them at all, even by the end of the book. Ben’s reluctance to start a relationship with Jacob because of the age difference was very silly, and his idea that he didn’t want to be with him because he would die and leave him was strange. I mean, everybody dies, we don’t have a schedule for when a person is going to go. Jacob could die before him, but that doesn’t mean that while you live you can’t enjoy life to its fullest.
I was interested in the legal conflict, but I think the way it was solved was a little sloppy.
So, it was an ok read, if I had known the characters and formed a connection with them I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
January 30, 2016
Four Great Stars! Ben is grieving still after his partner passed away 2 years ago. He meets Jacob at the lodge which he owns. This book has some very sweet moments in it but there are also some very painful moments where you can feel Ben's emotions. The story is beautifully written and the characters have so much feeling.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. This book was read and reviewed by Annamaria for Alpha Book Club.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. This book was read and reviewed by Annamaria for Alpha Book Club.
February 2, 2016
Jacob Nussbaum is happily living inside his shell when the roof gets blown off of his insulated existence. Hoping for further information, he heads to a remote fishing vacation spot in Wisconsin to try and surreptitiously have a “chance” encounter with another lawyer. When the man cancels his reservations for the time that Jacob is there, he is instead left needing a different diversion - which he finds in the proprietor, Ben Anderson.
Ben, a widower still grieving two years after the death of the man he spent 25 happy years with, has the occasional fling with a guest, but doesn’t care to get overly involved. He’s interested in Jacob, but refuses to take things further with the younger man because of his own circumstances and the hurt that still pervades his every waking moment. He doesn’t want anyone to be left behind after his own death.
The story itself is supposed to be centered around Jacob’s finding out what is going on and preparing to blow the whistle on an unscrupulous attorney at his firm. However, that quickly fades to the background in light of the transformation of Ben over the course of this lovely novel. The grief is poignant and stirring, and at one very touching point brought me to tears. The attraction between the two main characters shines through every contact, whether live or via email. They are left to decide what is real and what really matters. Is the risk worth the reward?
The plot is good, if a bit muddled in spots. The background story of the plot regularly gets lost in the love story, but the love story is so good that I didn’t mind too much, except that the investigation seemed almost to interrupt and knock the pacing off of the love story portion. Because of this, the pacing seems off a bit, but again, it’s such a good story that it’s easy to overlook. The character development is lovely - watching these two very independent men learn about themselves and each other was a joy. My only real issue is the abruptness of the ending. It seemed rushed and there was a large chunk of time missing that was simply glossed over. It could have been fleshed out a bit and made the entirety smoother. However, this was a great read, and I definitely recommend it! Just make sure you have a tissue or two handy - there are some really heartbreaking spots where you’ll need them!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cat from Alpha Book Club
Ben, a widower still grieving two years after the death of the man he spent 25 happy years with, has the occasional fling with a guest, but doesn’t care to get overly involved. He’s interested in Jacob, but refuses to take things further with the younger man because of his own circumstances and the hurt that still pervades his every waking moment. He doesn’t want anyone to be left behind after his own death.
The story itself is supposed to be centered around Jacob’s finding out what is going on and preparing to blow the whistle on an unscrupulous attorney at his firm. However, that quickly fades to the background in light of the transformation of Ben over the course of this lovely novel. The grief is poignant and stirring, and at one very touching point brought me to tears. The attraction between the two main characters shines through every contact, whether live or via email. They are left to decide what is real and what really matters. Is the risk worth the reward?
The plot is good, if a bit muddled in spots. The background story of the plot regularly gets lost in the love story, but the love story is so good that I didn’t mind too much, except that the investigation seemed almost to interrupt and knock the pacing off of the love story portion. Because of this, the pacing seems off a bit, but again, it’s such a good story that it’s easy to overlook. The character development is lovely - watching these two very independent men learn about themselves and each other was a joy. My only real issue is the abruptness of the ending. It seemed rushed and there was a large chunk of time missing that was simply glossed over. It could have been fleshed out a bit and made the entirety smoother. However, this was a great read, and I definitely recommend it! Just make sure you have a tissue or two handy - there are some really heartbreaking spots where you’ll need them!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cat from Alpha Book Club
January 28, 2016
Title:Whistle Blower
Author: Dev Bentham
Series:
Reviewer:
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: February 5, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Romance
Page Count: 214
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
“Jacob’s gaze searched Ben’s face. Maybe he got the answer he was looking for, maybe he didn’t but he kept going. ‘I love you. It’s as simple as that.’”
4 stars!
This book had so many adorable moments and other moments that make you feel for the characters. I really fell in love with Jacob and what he’s going through. I loved the uniqueness of this book. The writing was well put together and the characters had so much heart!! I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this book, but I really fell for it!!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
Author: Dev Bentham
Series:
Reviewer:
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: February 5, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Romance
Page Count: 214
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Money can’t buy happiness. Jacob Nussbaum knows this better than anyone. He's a corporate lawyer deep inside a huge New York firm, where he works overtime, sacrifices any chance at a personal life, and has been selling his soul for years. With a secretary as his only friend, he trudges on, until his whole world is blown apart by a manila envelope of photos—evidence that one of the firm’s partners is the dirtiest lawyer in one hell of a filthy business.
In search of the truth, Jacob travels to a small northern Wisconsin fishing resort. There he meets Ben Anderson, a brutally lonely man, who knocks him off his feet. Ben prompts Jacob to reevaluate his life. He’s a dozen years older than Jacob, still recovering from the death of his long time love, and doesn’t want to leave anyone a widower. But a jaded New Yorker on a soul-searching mission might be just the man to convince the grieving Ben that it's never too late to begin again.
“Jacob’s gaze searched Ben’s face. Maybe he got the answer he was looking for, maybe he didn’t but he kept going. ‘I love you. It’s as simple as that.’”
4 stars!
This book had so many adorable moments and other moments that make you feel for the characters. I really fell in love with Jacob and what he’s going through. I loved the uniqueness of this book. The writing was well put together and the characters had so much heart!! I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this book, but I really fell for it!!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
February 8, 2016
Title:Whistle Blower
Author: Dev Bentham
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: February 5, 2016
Genre(s): M/M, Romance
Page Count: 214
Heat Level: 3 # flames out of 5
Rating: # 4 stars out of 5
FOUR SWEET STARS!!
Ben at fifty years old is still grieving the loss of his partner of twenty-five years. He is afraid to open himself up to another possibility of loss, or even worse being the person to leave someone behind. He feels that he is being selfless by not getting too involved with anyone new. He has succeeded in maintaining this lifestyle but secluding himself and living his life at the small fisherman cabin village he and his partner planned to build together.
Jacob entering his late thirties has yet to slow down and decide that his work is not his life. While working eighty hours a week, a mysterious package lands on his desk. This package of intel holds information about a past case he worked on. He is determined to figure out the back story and to do that he must fly to a remote fishing island in Wisconsin.
The chemistry between Ben and Jacob is immediate and slowing builds throughout the book. Both vowing to keep this a causal relationship.
The author does an amazing job at developing these characters and their lives. Watching these two push and pull together like magnets was a calm ride. Both learning to love and let love in was endearing!
Find this book on Goodreads
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Keri from Alpha Book Club
Author: Dev Bentham
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: February 5, 2016
Genre(s): M/M, Romance
Page Count: 214
Heat Level: 3 # flames out of 5
Rating: # 4 stars out of 5
FOUR SWEET STARS!!
Ben at fifty years old is still grieving the loss of his partner of twenty-five years. He is afraid to open himself up to another possibility of loss, or even worse being the person to leave someone behind. He feels that he is being selfless by not getting too involved with anyone new. He has succeeded in maintaining this lifestyle but secluding himself and living his life at the small fisherman cabin village he and his partner planned to build together.
Jacob entering his late thirties has yet to slow down and decide that his work is not his life. While working eighty hours a week, a mysterious package lands on his desk. This package of intel holds information about a past case he worked on. He is determined to figure out the back story and to do that he must fly to a remote fishing island in Wisconsin.
The chemistry between Ben and Jacob is immediate and slowing builds throughout the book. Both vowing to keep this a causal relationship.
The author does an amazing job at developing these characters and their lives. Watching these two push and pull together like magnets was a calm ride. Both learning to love and let love in was endearing!
Find this book on Goodreads
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Keri from Alpha Book Club
May 16, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Whistle Blower is a story that is quiet and steady, a lovely romance between two men who are both lonely and who have given up hope of ever finding love at this point in their lives. The guys are definitely sexy and intense when they get together, but the tone of the story really reflects both the characters and the setting. It is not a flashy, high intensity book, but rather one where we see the love begin to bloom slowly and steadily, and where quiet moments together in a beautiful place are what really inspires both of the men.
The primary focus here is on the building of the relationship between Jacob and Ben. Jacob has always put his career first, to the exclusion of everything else. He has always told himself he is happy and has made the right choices, but he is slowly realizing that while he may be rich, his life is hollow. But he also knows that his life is not at all suited to a relationship, given the crazy hours that he works, and so he doesn’t think he can have more. Ben has lost his love and doesn’t see anyone else in his future. To tell the truth, he is still mourning Manny and isn’t even looking for more. And when he meets the much younger Jacob, Ben immediately thinks of how he lost his older partner and refuses to put Jacob in that same situation. The guys are determined to have a casual affair, but over the course of the story we see that the feelings are blooming between them, despite their desire to keep each other at a distance. It is lovely to see these men find happiness together, both breaking out of their loneliness to find a partner who can make them truly happy. My only negative here is that I do think the ending comes a bit quickly and Ben’s apprehensions seem to mysteriously disappear, and so I would have liked to see this part developed a bit more.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Whistle Blower is a story that is quiet and steady, a lovely romance between two men who are both lonely and who have given up hope of ever finding love at this point in their lives. The guys are definitely sexy and intense when they get together, but the tone of the story really reflects both the characters and the setting. It is not a flashy, high intensity book, but rather one where we see the love begin to bloom slowly and steadily, and where quiet moments together in a beautiful place are what really inspires both of the men.
The primary focus here is on the building of the relationship between Jacob and Ben. Jacob has always put his career first, to the exclusion of everything else. He has always told himself he is happy and has made the right choices, but he is slowly realizing that while he may be rich, his life is hollow. But he also knows that his life is not at all suited to a relationship, given the crazy hours that he works, and so he doesn’t think he can have more. Ben has lost his love and doesn’t see anyone else in his future. To tell the truth, he is still mourning Manny and isn’t even looking for more. And when he meets the much younger Jacob, Ben immediately thinks of how he lost his older partner and refuses to put Jacob in that same situation. The guys are determined to have a casual affair, but over the course of the story we see that the feelings are blooming between them, despite their desire to keep each other at a distance. It is lovely to see these men find happiness together, both breaking out of their loneliness to find a partner who can make them truly happy. My only negative here is that I do think the ending comes a bit quickly and Ben’s apprehensions seem to mysteriously disappear, and so I would have liked to see this part developed a bit more.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
April 21, 2016
3.5 stars rounded up for the HEA
This was a lovely story about 2 desperately lonely men. One living a life of constant work, work, work with no sight of a social life for miles. The other is a grieving widower who lost his partner of 20 years 2 years ago and has been coasting through life, silently pining over his lost love.
Two lonely souls find each other and enjoy great sex and passion, mutual hobbies and a budding friendship. All is well, right? But it really isn't.
Jake and Ben continue a long distance friendship, both realizing their life situations are not comparable for a commitment or romance. They continue to run into each other and fool themselves into a friends-with-benefits solution.
This book was a lot sadder than I expected. I went in with expectations of a romance between older men who eventually realize their love and fight to be together, but it was so much more than that. The reasons for Jake and Ben avoiding an emotional attachment was very reasonable and it made me so, so sad. If this wasn't a romance novel, I can't see how these two would pull it off and actually make it to a happy ending.
But or course we get a happy ending! And when Ben and Jake finally admit their true feelings for one another, I was weeping with joy.
It was all the weeping I did before the HEA that hurt so much.
Recommended with caution to folks who are "mood readers" like me. These boys have to fight tooth and nail to the bitter end and the angst was painful.
Thankfully the sun did manage to shine for our heroes, and they deserved every minute after what they endured.
Have tissues handy!
ETA: That cover is absolute perfection! That is Ben and Jake, no doubt in my mind.
This was a lovely story about 2 desperately lonely men. One living a life of constant work, work, work with no sight of a social life for miles. The other is a grieving widower who lost his partner of 20 years 2 years ago and has been coasting through life, silently pining over his lost love.
Two lonely souls find each other and enjoy great sex and passion, mutual hobbies and a budding friendship. All is well, right? But it really isn't.
Jake and Ben continue a long distance friendship, both realizing their life situations are not comparable for a commitment or romance. They continue to run into each other and fool themselves into a friends-with-benefits solution.
This book was a lot sadder than I expected. I went in with expectations of a romance between older men who eventually realize their love and fight to be together, but it was so much more than that. The reasons for Jake and Ben avoiding an emotional attachment was very reasonable and it made me so, so sad. If this wasn't a romance novel, I can't see how these two would pull it off and actually make it to a happy ending.
But or course we get a happy ending! And when Ben and Jake finally admit their true feelings for one another, I was weeping with joy.
It was all the weeping I did before the HEA that hurt so much.
Recommended with caution to folks who are "mood readers" like me. These boys have to fight tooth and nail to the bitter end and the angst was painful.
Thankfully the sun did manage to shine for our heroes, and they deserved every minute after what they endured.
Have tissues handy!
ETA: That cover is absolute perfection! That is Ben and Jake, no doubt in my mind.
February 3, 2016
I received an ARC from Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book very much. It touched me because I enjoyed reading about an area so close to my home. I’m from Central Wisconsin so I connected with what the author was writing about.
I also enjoyed the bit of mystery/suspense that Jacob and Ben encountered in their journey to define their relationship with each other.
In a quest to find answers for an old case, attorney Jacob Nussbaum must take a week-long trip to a resort in upper Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the person with these answers isn't there. Instead of leaving for home early he decides to stay and enjoy a short vacation. While on vacation he meets resort owner Ben Anderson.
Ben runs the resort with the help of his sister-in-law Miriam. Ever since he lost his lover and partner Manny to cancer 2 years ago. He struggles on a daily basis with his loss. Even with Miriam’s support and encouragement Ben is still unable to let go. Until he meets Jacob. Jacob is young and vibrant and ignites feelings in Ben he didn't think he could ever feel for another man again.
While trying to solve the mystery of the case both men navigate their feelings for each other. And a pesky age difference that bothers one and not the other.
I also enjoyed the bit of mystery/suspense that Jacob and Ben encountered in their journey to define their relationship with each other.
In a quest to find answers for an old case, attorney Jacob Nussbaum must take a week-long trip to a resort in upper Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the person with these answers isn't there. Instead of leaving for home early he decides to stay and enjoy a short vacation. While on vacation he meets resort owner Ben Anderson.
Ben runs the resort with the help of his sister-in-law Miriam. Ever since he lost his lover and partner Manny to cancer 2 years ago. He struggles on a daily basis with his loss. Even with Miriam’s support and encouragement Ben is still unable to let go. Until he meets Jacob. Jacob is young and vibrant and ignites feelings in Ben he didn't think he could ever feel for another man again.
While trying to solve the mystery of the case both men navigate their feelings for each other. And a pesky age difference that bothers one and not the other.
November 27, 2016
Whistle Blower by Dev Bentham has the story of Jacob a corporate lawyer at a big time New York firm. He works over time a lot. He has no personal life to speak of. His life is his job. When he finds out one of the firms partners is the dirtiest lawyers around he goes off to find out the truth for himself.
Ben is a very lonely man. He makes Jacob see his life in a whole new light. Older than Jacob and he is still recovering from the death of his long time love. Ben is a good person who used to teach chemistry. He makes Jacob see love in a whole new light too.
I liked the quiet chemistry that Ben and Jacob have. It is not over the top love. It is more like a simmering one that just gets stronger as the story goes on. I liked Jacob's honesty and passion for justice. Over all a good read that I think could even go into a series about the rest of the people in the town. There are a lot of characters who would really shine in their own stories there.
Five Shooting Stars
Ben is a very lonely man. He makes Jacob see his life in a whole new light. Older than Jacob and he is still recovering from the death of his long time love. Ben is a good person who used to teach chemistry. He makes Jacob see love in a whole new light too.
I liked the quiet chemistry that Ben and Jacob have. It is not over the top love. It is more like a simmering one that just gets stronger as the story goes on. I liked Jacob's honesty and passion for justice. Over all a good read that I think could even go into a series about the rest of the people in the town. There are a lot of characters who would really shine in their own stories there.
Five Shooting Stars
May 31, 2016
Whistle Blower by Dev Bentham is a lovely story. A bit of a slow burn, this is the story of Jacob, who needs to make some serious decisions when he stumbles across unethical behaviour in the law firm where he works. Jacob is lonely and unfulfilled, but his life starts to take a positive turn when he meets Ben during his investigations. Ben is a widower, still dealing with the death of his long time lover. These men need to overcome a number of differences, including distance and an age gap that Ben can't seem to overcome. I liked the more mature characters, the age gap, the pacing, the dealing with grief and the hint of corporate story.
March 2, 2016
The book was nice. Well-written. Well put together. The characters were memorable. But... I don't know. I can't say I loved it or even really liked it. The 'crooked lawyer' plot was so slow. And the romance part, it was so sedated, not intense at all. And I kinda dislike stories where one character makes all the amendments and the other is just sitting on his hands waiting for the situation to become convenient for him.
February 7, 2016
Genuinely sympathetic, mature characters, a poignant viewpoint of a lost love, yet full of wit and hope as well. Lovely setting too. Dev Bentham's prose is always a treat, imaginative and well-crafted, and the pacing here is perfect. I'll read it again some day i.e there's plenty to be re-discovered and newly found another time.
February 27, 2016
Reviewette to follow
November 19, 2016
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four and a half stars!
I enjoyed the heck out of this book. I loved how Jacob and Ben meet and quite sure of each other at first. Ben’s initial reaction of Jacob is so funny but so completely spot on. Jacob is in lust at first sight but he slowly realizes there’s so much depth to Ben. Their friends with benefits, we’re dating but won’t admit it, was so enjoyable to watch. The denial they were both in was kind of funny to see. I loved how that tension and self-lying was written. It made for a great dynamic in the story. I loved the writing in this story. You are taken along on this journey and I couldn’t put the book down. That scene where Ben finally lets go of Manny. Oh my gosh it hurts so much to read and is so beautiful at the same time. The last scene was so good. I loved getting to see them together and admitting their feelings for each other. Absolutely beautiful these two together.
The storyline about Jacob’s law firm partner was fascinating. It was enough in the story to keep me interested in what happens and if he’s caught. But it also wasn’t so large a portion of the story it made the whole thing about the dirty lawyer. It was the perfect balance.
I really enjoyed the characters in the story. Miriam and Seong were great additions to the story and made for some really great scenes and interactions with Ben and Jacob. They didn’t take over the story where you felt they outshone the main characters.
Jacob and Ben are so wonderful together. Ben’s heartbreak at losing Manny is so powerful you can feel his grief. Jacob was feeling his own brand of grief in the story for very different reasons. His realization that his life is completely different than what he expected was poignant.
pink and Ed are so sweet together. I kind of want their story. Especially as a pre-Stonewall couple. For them I’d read that time period.
Four and a half stars!
I enjoyed the heck out of this book. I loved how Jacob and Ben meet and quite sure of each other at first. Ben’s initial reaction of Jacob is so funny but so completely spot on. Jacob is in lust at first sight but he slowly realizes there’s so much depth to Ben. Their friends with benefits, we’re dating but won’t admit it, was so enjoyable to watch. The denial they were both in was kind of funny to see. I loved how that tension and self-lying was written. It made for a great dynamic in the story. I loved the writing in this story. You are taken along on this journey and I couldn’t put the book down. That scene where Ben finally lets go of Manny. Oh my gosh it hurts so much to read and is so beautiful at the same time. The last scene was so good. I loved getting to see them together and admitting their feelings for each other. Absolutely beautiful these two together.
The storyline about Jacob’s law firm partner was fascinating. It was enough in the story to keep me interested in what happens and if he’s caught. But it also wasn’t so large a portion of the story it made the whole thing about the dirty lawyer. It was the perfect balance.
I really enjoyed the characters in the story. Miriam and Seong were great additions to the story and made for some really great scenes and interactions with Ben and Jacob. They didn’t take over the story where you felt they outshone the main characters.
Jacob and Ben are so wonderful together. Ben’s heartbreak at losing Manny is so powerful you can feel his grief. Jacob was feeling his own brand of grief in the story for very different reasons. His realization that his life is completely different than what he expected was poignant.
pink and Ed are so sweet together. I kind of want their story. Especially as a pre-Stonewall couple. For them I’d read that time period.
November 12, 2019
4 stars
Jacob is a partner at a New York law firm. One day, he receives photos that appear to indicate one of the partners is offering bribes. In order to find out the truth, Jacob wants to meet with the opposing council, but he has since retired. The quickest way Jacob can get close to him is by booking a stay in a remote fishing lodge. When he gets there, he finds that the man he wants to talk to has pushed back his arrival, and Jacob has several days to kill, since he doesn't have to be back at work until the start of a new week.
Ben lost his partner two years ago, and has been swimming in grief and loneliness since then. When he meets Jacob, he reminds him of his dead lover, and Ben is interested. As he gets to know Jacob, the similarities start to blur, and Ben sees Jacob for who he is, not who he looks like. But Jacob and Ben don't live near each other, and Ben is wary about relationships after watching his lover die, so the only thing they agree to is a one time thing. Then the man that Jacob wants to talk to, who ended up not showing up, books another weekend, and Jacob comes up again.
The grief that Ben felt was very real, and his reasons for not wanting to get seriously involved with Jacob were understandable. However, once he started to have those feelings, I thought that it was a jerk move to deny everything, especially since he knew that Jacob was feeling the same way.
All Jacob wanted was to do the right thing, which is admirable. I liked how he appreciated Ben for who he was, and didn't want him to change.
Jacob is a partner at a New York law firm. One day, he receives photos that appear to indicate one of the partners is offering bribes. In order to find out the truth, Jacob wants to meet with the opposing council, but he has since retired. The quickest way Jacob can get close to him is by booking a stay in a remote fishing lodge. When he gets there, he finds that the man he wants to talk to has pushed back his arrival, and Jacob has several days to kill, since he doesn't have to be back at work until the start of a new week.
Ben lost his partner two years ago, and has been swimming in grief and loneliness since then. When he meets Jacob, he reminds him of his dead lover, and Ben is interested. As he gets to know Jacob, the similarities start to blur, and Ben sees Jacob for who he is, not who he looks like. But Jacob and Ben don't live near each other, and Ben is wary about relationships after watching his lover die, so the only thing they agree to is a one time thing. Then the man that Jacob wants to talk to, who ended up not showing up, books another weekend, and Jacob comes up again.
The grief that Ben felt was very real, and his reasons for not wanting to get seriously involved with Jacob were understandable. However, once he started to have those feelings, I thought that it was a jerk move to deny everything, especially since he knew that Jacob was feeling the same way.
All Jacob wanted was to do the right thing, which is admirable. I liked how he appreciated Ben for who he was, and didn't want him to change.
July 3, 2016
Conflicted on this one. It's ok, but not worth a reread.
On one hand, one of the heroes came of age back when I did. The mid-80s, just post Stonewall as AIDS was about to devastate the male gay community. I lived in DC 20008, the gayest zip code in America back then, battling my way through crowds of half naked leather daddies to get to the bagel place on weekend mornings, when practically everyone's speakers were on their windowsills of their apartments all around, blaring hits like I will survive, on repeat.
What can I say? It was a rent control studio in a neighborhood where guaranteed nobody would hassle me. As a young, shy, six foot tall, blonde girl, walking alone on city streets elsewhere could be like running a gauntlet. Straight guys just HAD to say something. Con-fucking-tinually.
Reading this book, I suddenly realized something I hadn't really ever considered before. How very few of those lovely, jovial men, with their butts hanging out of their chaps and chains dangling in the sun between their nipple clamps, who were dancing and happy and so excited to be alive in an America post-stonewall, and who were so gracious when a grumbling, hung-over straight girl shoved her way through their street party, how very few of them must be alive now.
Because AIDS.
Sure, I raised money (ok well, mainly as a way to hook up pre-tinder, because throwing a benefit party was a great way to expand your social circle beyond your office and old college friends.) Sure, I saw the signs everywhere for the Whitman Walker clinic. And, then later had HIV positive friends, who knock wood are still ok to this day because new drugs.
But it never occurred to me, where did that every-damn-weekend street party go to? By maybe 1988, it was gone. There were brief revivals at Halloween and stuff, but nothing like it had been. The streets were empty. In my self-absorbed 20-something head, I think I just assumed the trends had changed. As they do. Not that many people were actually dead.
There's a moment in this book when the older hero reflects on how very few gay men of the generation just before his, made it out of the 80s. And that blew my mind open. Oh. Well, I was an idiot. It just never came home like that before.
Otherwise, this book, while smoothly written and somewhat entertaining, has some downsides:
- gorgeous guy syndrome: both leads are stunning. Tall, handsome, super-fit, smart, nice-smelling, look great in a tux. They both think about how handsome the other guy is a lot. So, not exactly mere mortals.
- love as rescue vehicle: both guys need rescuing from their ok-but-kinda-bleak lives. Thank god for love because, ya know, there's no way you could rescue yourself, right?
- endangering others: the lawyer hero takes a course of action that he knows from the start will directly endanger his best friend/assistant's career. She has kids, a "sullen" husband and way less money. So, without her job, she could be utterly screwed (whereas he has tons of money.) Aside from telling her to be careful while doing dangerous things on his behalf and writing her a letter of reference, he does not protect her. He puts her in danger's way. On one hand she agrees to it. On the other hand, it's his vendetta not her's, and he's her superior so it's an unequal relationship, and she takes a lot more risk than he does. Uncool.
- crazy money: no. No matter how good a junior partner you are for a few years at a big law firm, if you are only 36 and you spend on stuff like tuxedos and a super fancy condo in New York, there's no way you would have the financial wherewithal this guy has. Nope. The math doesn't work.
- hoary plot device: early on they get to know each other better due to taking shelter in an abandoned cabin in the woods during a thunderstorm.
- grieving widow: I have no way to judge how well or not this is written, but one of the leads is in a state of grief over the death of his very long term partner/husband. Which I knew going into the book, so I can't whine about it, but it was a huge part of the plot and not my thing. Grey clouds.
So, ok, there you have it. Very glad I read this because, selfishly, it put my own past into perspective. The author has writing chops, plus it's delightful to encounter leads who are not in their 20s (yay!!!!!) But, again, not re-read material.
On one hand, one of the heroes came of age back when I did. The mid-80s, just post Stonewall as AIDS was about to devastate the male gay community. I lived in DC 20008, the gayest zip code in America back then, battling my way through crowds of half naked leather daddies to get to the bagel place on weekend mornings, when practically everyone's speakers were on their windowsills of their apartments all around, blaring hits like I will survive, on repeat.
What can I say? It was a rent control studio in a neighborhood where guaranteed nobody would hassle me. As a young, shy, six foot tall, blonde girl, walking alone on city streets elsewhere could be like running a gauntlet. Straight guys just HAD to say something. Con-fucking-tinually.
Reading this book, I suddenly realized something I hadn't really ever considered before. How very few of those lovely, jovial men, with their butts hanging out of their chaps and chains dangling in the sun between their nipple clamps, who were dancing and happy and so excited to be alive in an America post-stonewall, and who were so gracious when a grumbling, hung-over straight girl shoved her way through their street party, how very few of them must be alive now.
Because AIDS.
Sure, I raised money (ok well, mainly as a way to hook up pre-tinder, because throwing a benefit party was a great way to expand your social circle beyond your office and old college friends.) Sure, I saw the signs everywhere for the Whitman Walker clinic. And, then later had HIV positive friends, who knock wood are still ok to this day because new drugs.
But it never occurred to me, where did that every-damn-weekend street party go to? By maybe 1988, it was gone. There were brief revivals at Halloween and stuff, but nothing like it had been. The streets were empty. In my self-absorbed 20-something head, I think I just assumed the trends had changed. As they do. Not that many people were actually dead.
There's a moment in this book when the older hero reflects on how very few gay men of the generation just before his, made it out of the 80s. And that blew my mind open. Oh. Well, I was an idiot. It just never came home like that before.
Otherwise, this book, while smoothly written and somewhat entertaining, has some downsides:
- gorgeous guy syndrome: both leads are stunning. Tall, handsome, super-fit, smart, nice-smelling, look great in a tux. They both think about how handsome the other guy is a lot. So, not exactly mere mortals.
- love as rescue vehicle: both guys need rescuing from their ok-but-kinda-bleak lives. Thank god for love because, ya know, there's no way you could rescue yourself, right?
- endangering others: the lawyer hero takes a course of action that he knows from the start will directly endanger his best friend/assistant's career. She has kids, a "sullen" husband and way less money. So, without her job, she could be utterly screwed (whereas he has tons of money.) Aside from telling her to be careful while doing dangerous things on his behalf and writing her a letter of reference, he does not protect her. He puts her in danger's way. On one hand she agrees to it. On the other hand, it's his vendetta not her's, and he's her superior so it's an unequal relationship, and she takes a lot more risk than he does. Uncool.
- crazy money: no. No matter how good a junior partner you are for a few years at a big law firm, if you are only 36 and you spend on stuff like tuxedos and a super fancy condo in New York, there's no way you would have the financial wherewithal this guy has. Nope. The math doesn't work.
- hoary plot device: early on they get to know each other better due to taking shelter in an abandoned cabin in the woods during a thunderstorm.
- grieving widow: I have no way to judge how well or not this is written, but one of the leads is in a state of grief over the death of his very long term partner/husband. Which I knew going into the book, so I can't whine about it, but it was a huge part of the plot and not my thing. Grey clouds.
So, ok, there you have it. Very glad I read this because, selfishly, it put my own past into perspective. The author has writing chops, plus it's delightful to encounter leads who are not in their 20s (yay!!!!!) But, again, not re-read material.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews