Rendez-vous à Piper's Point

by Ethan Day, Trad Pitt (Translator)

Cassidy Winters est de retour à la maison, bien que ses plans pour une cérémonie calme en bord de mer afin de dire un dernier adieu à sa grand-mère, Sadie Hart, tombent à l’eau alors que son passé revient sous la forme d’ex-amants, anciens et nouveaux. Des accusations sont lancées alors que les discussions et les libidos s’échauffent, et bien qu’il y soit manifestement disposé, Cassidy n’est pas certain d’être prêt ou capable de trouver l’amour et de vivre à... Piper’s Point.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Humor, Friends To Lovers, Audiobook, Erotica

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 27, 2010

About the author

Welcome to Ethan Day's Goodreads Profile. I write mainly contemporary GLBT Romance Novels, but who knows what the future might bring and what other genres I may dive into.

Hopefully, you’ll find my books to be sexy as well as fun. Sex and romance, should be fun! If it isn’t, then perhaps you’re not doing it right.

I hope you love my characters as much as I do. With any luck they’ll inspire you the way they do me.

For a full Bio & more insight into my zany little mind, please visit my website listed above.

- I can also be found on Facebook @
https://www.facebook.com/ethandayonline

Reviews

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it just me or is Hart's Island like the gay mecca? I mean, every non-coupled person that Cassidy sees ends up being gay! Where is this place and how soon can I visit?

"At Piper's Point" was an adorable, light romance from Ethan Day. My favorite part of this book I think was the humor. I found myself reading with such a big smile on my face that my mouth starting hurting from grinning too widely. It is just such a fun book.

"Jesus," Nate said, throwing his hands in the air as he stared Neil down. "You don't even know his last name!" Nate turned to Cassidy. "Is this Piper's Point or Dante's Cove?"

"Mel-ho's Place!" Ollie yelled, his smile fading as Nate glared, letting him know this might not be the best time to play Who's the Queen of Pop culture?"

But between all of the humor, some actual important stuff snuck in. This book is about first loves, when it comes down to it. It is about how Nate and Cassidy deal with discovering that not everything between them is as idealized as it was in their minds. They each have their own baggage and issues to work through, and the book takes us on that journey with them.

The characters also really worked for me. I liked how Cassidy was apologetically handsome and... promiscuous, let's say. He was who he was in all of his slutty glory. It is also easy to love Ollie (he gets all the good lines!) and the friendship dynamic between all of the guys. It was fun watching these guys have fun. I felt like I was in on the party!

What didn't work for me as much was the amount of time spend on Cassidy and Nate, just the two of them. I think their current relationship felt a little underdeveloped and pushed aside to focus on other things, like Cassidy's relationship with Sadie. I wanted more... something... with Cassidy and Nate.

Oh, and just a side note, in this book they reference, "hot boxing" which Nate says is when you inhale smoke and blow it into someone else's mouth. This isn't what hot boxing is. Hot boxing is when you smoke in a small space and the air fills up with smoke so everyone gets high from fumes. A "shotgun" is when you blow smoke into someone else's mouth. Urban dictionary needed, Ethan Day.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was just what I needed.

**Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**

[Heather C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been putting off writing my review of this book hoping I would come up with the right words to say. But that's just it. All I can come up with is "ITS AMAZING"! Beautifully written, this is my favorite Ethan Day novel to date.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ultimate uproar. Gloriously gay. Healing homecoming.
Do you believe in soulmates?
That one person was created for you and you alone?
I do.
This story celebrates that belief and I savored every bit of it. A tale about best friends bonding eternally before they knew what wonders that involved. They drift apart for a few years, but grief and death unite them once again.

As much as this was a hilarious comedy, it was also deeply layered with notable lessons. It touches on the challenges of surviving grief after loss of a loved one, forgiving yourself despite your shortcomings, and standing your ground while fighting ‘the good fight’.

Young love slowly develops between Cassidy and Nate during their summers on Hart’s Island. Cassidy finds freedom and love at Pipers Point, the island where his grandmother lives. He lives a cold and sterile life 9 months of the year, with strict parents that have no time for him. His summer breaks however, are packed with all the love, harmony and laughs that he is missing. His granny, (don’t let her hear that!) Sadie is a firecracker and does her best to give Cassidy what he is missing when he stays with her. Sadie’s dear friend and housekeeper resides with her, along with her son, Nate.

Cassidy and Nate grew up connected at the hip, and before long, they discover new and hesitant desires. Cassidy leaves for college, Sadie becomes ill, and soon slips away abandoning Cassidy in this world all alone. Or is he?

Fast forward a few years and Cassidy finds himself face to face with Sadie’s estate, wake planning, and other ghosts he would prefer to leave locked up. Sounds kinda sad, right? At times it is, but it is generously sprinkled with humor.

Every man that wanders into the picture is delightfully gay and they seem to have a common denominator, which is Cassidy’s bed. Between his pair of hysterical best friends (both castaways of Cassidy), his recent ex, and a beach beauty hook-up, the testosterone is so heavy you can taste it. I giggled, I chuckled, and I burst out uncontrollable belly laughs. Pure frenzied awkward comedy at its finest!

I found the chaos addicting and thoroughly enjoyed the messy mash of characters. This story should come with a smile guarantee, for I can promise you’ll crack a grin or two. If you’re looking for a lovely tale of friends to lovers, with a touch of every emotion in the rainbow, this is the perfect story for you.

*4 joining-jumbled-jubilant stars*

[Nikyta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must confess, I've owned this book since the day it was released but put off reading it because of thinking Cassidy would turn out to be an uber-slut in the book and from the fear I'd get more sex from his one night stands than between the two MCs. I'm happy to report that I was completely wrong on that front. ^_^

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny but at the same time lightly angsty and an easy read. I smiled and I laughed but my heart also clenched a few times.

I loved Cassidy and Nate. They were both frustrating but I really liked the ease they had with each other for most of the book. Even when they were awkward or uneasy around one another they still had a rightness to their time together. It was nice to see since I like reading about guys that'll freely touch each other when they don't have to without making it into something too mushy. I know when I read some books I'm screaming in my head 'WILL YOU JUST HUG HIM ALREADY??' and this was the first book that actually heard my silent cries and followed them. Lol. Cassidy, though, he was a surprise. He had a perfectness to him but still felt real. He was loved by all but he didn't just brush it off, he had everyone's feelings at heart (at least while he's at Piper's Point) but it wasn't overly annoying how much attention he attracted. Nate, aw, Nate. How can you hate someone that gets jealous over Cassidy's one night stand?? I mean come on! Seriously, Nate's jealousy turned me on like nothing else.

The flow of the story is easy to follow and took me on quite a little ride. The plot may seem simple and boring but it's honestly not. It's interesting to say the least and meeting all Cassidy's friends (who, yes, are almost all past boyfriends), learning about Sadie and all the townsfolk gave the book an appeal that draws you in but still holds you with the light angst and witty, sometimes snarky, banter.

With that said, I was so frustrated sometimes! I wanted to smack Nate and Cassidy and tell them to TALK ALREADY! Tiny misunderstandings led to a few moments that made me want to scream. There were also a few scenes that couldn't hold my attention at all and they, surprisingly, weren't the ones of flashbacks since the flashbacks seemed to just make the story flow better. It was actually after the flashbacks ended that I found it dragged a time or two. However, there were freaking hysterical parts that had me falling off my seat laughing and still chuckling five minutes later when I was still thinking about it.

All in all, this was a surprisingly, delightful story. I really enjoyed it, the eccentric characters and the funny moments. I wouldn't be opposed to reading more about the guys gracing the steps of Piper's Point. Definitely recommended.

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

Update: First read in October, 2012, this review is for the audiobook which I completed on 4/8/16:

I first read this story in 2012, as I was just discovering the joys of reading M/M romance, and it was also the first story by Ethan Day that crossed my path. Now, over 1500 books later, I found this to be just as refreshing, just as humorous, and just as poignantly emotional as it was the first time I read it. Couple Ethan Day’s sense of humor with the delivery of Michael Lesley’s imaginative narration, and it’s an audiobook that is sure to be a hit.

This is the story of Cassidy Winters who returns to the island where he spent every summer with his grandmother, Sadie Hart. It's always felt like home to him, as his parents were emotionally absent all his life, and he was well loved by Sadie, her housekeeper, Natalie, and Natalie’s son, the very handsome, Nate. Cassidy has inherited Sadie’s home on Hart’s Island after a long, protracted court battle with his father, the very wealthy, but cold, Lionel Winters. On Hart’s Island, Sadie was an essential member of the community, and it was on the beach near the lighthouse where she met the love of her life, the husband who then left her a widow at a young age after a boating accident. Cassidy’s mission on the island is to fulfill her wish to have her ashes scattered at Piper's Point. He has another mission in mind as well—he’s finally back after more than a ten year absence, and he’s ready to claim the man of his dreams.

The journey home, not just the physical journey, but the emotional one brought on by maturity and self-awareness, forms the core theme of this story. Surrounded by close friends, new and past lovers, and his one true love, Nate, Cassidy finds his way back and ultimately becomes a part of the whole community in both body and spirit.

It’s the tale of his journey to finding his true place in the world that makes this story incredibly good—from the day he first arrives and is seduced by the gorgeous Neil when he wades out of the water to discover a nude Cassidy sunbathing on the beach—to the arrival of his best friends, both of whom were past lovers; and the later arrival of Teddy, his most recent ex-lover; and finally, Nate, his first love, the man Cassidy has come to realize he loves with all his heart.

Michael Lesley truly displays his multi-voiced talent in this one as he portrays each of the cast of secondary characters, and the many townspeople, with unique and interesting voices. I enjoyed the special effects he used during times when more than one person was speaking at once just as much as I enjoyed the humor and wit displayed by the very talented Ethan Day. This is a great combo, and if you enjoy MM romances with slow burn, humor, men with pets, and a roomful of hot men, this one is for you. Don’t miss the chance to listen to the amazing audio version. It’s like getting the cherry on the ice cream sundae—it just hits the spot perfectly.

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

While I enjoyed this book and the story overall, I had a tough time engaging with Cassidy and Nate as a couple. Ethan Day's writing style, however was engaging and fully of wit. I enjoyed the story of Cassidy's mourning his grandmother and trying to come to terms with the way he has been living his life and what he should be doing to move forward. This was my first book by Ethan Day, but I look forward to reading more.

All of the characters had clearly written personalities and all of them engage with a different aspect of Cassidy's personality. Some of the highlights of the book were when all of the men were just hanging out with each other (I could probably read a whole book of them just hanging out). The flashbacks to the summers Cassidy spent with his grandmother and the profound effect she had on his life were heartfelt and touching. The flashbacks were also the most engaging parts of the story of Nate and Cassidy.

What I needed and didn't get, though, was a good picture of the current relationship between Nate and Cassidy. There was a long separation between the last time they were together as teenagers and Cassidy's return to the island. If the two hadn't run into each other there again, I don't think one would have ever sought out the other, yet neither of them was able to truly move on and be in a real relationship with anyone else. With this much between them, there was actually very little time spent with them working things out. You could feel the love between them, but at times it felt almost a brotherly love (not in an icky sense) of two men who had grown up together. Other than this feeling that something was missing there, the book was an enjoyable read.

[BevS · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as the actual story was concerned, I didn’t think it was too bad, quite funny in parts and I was really happy that Cassidy and Nate finally got it together. 3.5 stars for the story, null points for the narration as we people in Eurovision land say.

And now [she says dramatically] we turn to the ‘performance’ by Michael Lesley. Mr Lesley’s wildly flamboyant and exaggeratedly OTT performance as the narrator may have been funny at times, I’ll concede, on The Lightning-Struck Heart - it was a wickedly funny story anyway so he couldn't really ruin it for me, BUT this is me saying ‘no thanks’ to any more of his vocal interpretations. The phrase ‘over acting’ clearly springs to mind and he would definitely win one of those coveted Razzie awards if I had a say in the matter.

I was under the impression (possibly mistakenly, what do I know?? 🤨) that the story was the most important part of a reader’s listening/reading experience. Of course, there are great, good and pretty bad stories…just as there are unfortunately great, good and pretty ordinary narrators. Some narrators add absolutely zilch, nada, nichts to the story and their storytelling voices are dreary and monotonous with hardly any or no distinction at all between characters (no names being mentioned here, although I could obviously point a few fingers), while others lift a story to heights of perfection that you wouldn't normally achieve from just reading the story alone BUT - and it’s a huge but - the narrator is nothing without the story to begin with, whether it’s good, bad or indifferent. Sadly for me on this occasion, Mr Lesley got rather too full of his own self-importance, tried to let his narration overshadow the story and ‘pimped up’ his characterisations of Cassidy et al to almost laughable levels; his dramatic pauses, silly giggles and squeals and annoying Scarlett O’Hara-type Southern accents just succeeded in spoiling everything and make me want to get the whole experience over with as quickly as possible.

This was not a free copy generously provided by the narrator, my opinion wouldn't have been any different if it had been.

[Elsbeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Narrator: Michael Lesley

Oh man, this was hysterical....

Review to come



*audio provided by Michael Lesley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and sexy romp of a story and having Michael Lesley read it to me made it even better.

There is a LOT going on in Piper’s Point for a small quaint seaside town and the one person at the center of the shenanigans is Cassidy. Everyone has the friend who is a drama magnet, and that is Cassidy. And I don’t necessarily mean it’s angsty bad dramatic drama, but there is always something (or someone) going on. Heading back to Piper’s Point to handle his beloved aunt’s estate doesn’t change that in the slightest and I think heading to the sanctuary that is the Point actually enhances the crazy making. That’s just what happens when you put a big personality into a small space. As well, one of the great things about the story is that there are already some big (and quirky) personalities there, so Cassidy’s homecoming fit right in.

Differentiating between characters is something Michael Lesley excels at so he’s the perfect person to narrate this one. There are a lot of characters and there is a lot of banter so the audio could have really turned into a shitshow without someone who has mad vocal skills driving the boat. As it was I had no trouble following the rapid fire conversations, get-togethers and heart-to-heart confessions that make up At Piper’s Point.

More than anything At Piper’s Point is a coming home story and I loved the emotions that Cassidy went through in coming back to the only place that ever felt like home. His reconnection with Nate was perfectly bittersweet and I wish there had been more focus there. I loved all of Cassidy’s friends/ex-boyfriends/fuck buddies, but it did get a little distracting at times. I wanted further inside Nate’s head sooner because I enjoyed listening to them working through their history, their time apart and then their coming back together.

This story would make a great movie since it has a little bit of every emotion worked in, but since that is unfortunately unlikely, the audiobook is going to be your next best bet. Michael Lesley did an excellent job keeping the characters on point throughout making what could have been a tough book to follow into audio into a really fun and satisfying listen.




**a copy of At Pipers Point was provided for an honest review**

[Shell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh where to start? I found this book a little less mad-cap than Ethan’s other books. It was still hilariously fun and the characters seemed warm and real, but there was a rather serious (especially for Ethan) undertone to it.

Cassidy Winters grew up spending his summers with his beloved, charismatic Grandmother, Sadie. He didn’t have a good relationship with his parents and cherished his summers with her at Pipers Point. When Sadie passes away, Cassidy is left with her home and finds himself back a Pipers Point, urn in hand, to take care of Sadie's things and find some closure for himself. Of course, he isn’t alone, Nate, Cassidy’s first love and childhood friend ends up living in Sadie’s house with Cassidy. Along with Cassidy’s two best friends, Ollie and Spencer, his ex-boyfriend, Teddy, and on occasion Cassidy’s newest one night stand, Neil and Nate's ex-boyfriend, Ben, crash there as well. I know, count it up people, that’s seven horny gay men under one roof! As one would expect, chaos ensues.

It’s a good chaos though. One filled with witty jibes from Ollie (who is now one of my all time favorite characters), occasional “fuckfests” (Between two consenting men, not an orgy. I know, I said seven gay men were sometimes together under one roof, but I assure you there were no seven-ways taking place.), and enough sexual tension between two of the characters that I found myself glaring at my erearder and grumbling about letting them get it on already, for “the love of all that is gay and holy!”

**The two quote are words/lines from At Pipers Point. Other fun ones were “accusapaloosa” and “Mel-Hos place.” **

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Ethan Day book, and it was recommended to me by some of my dearest friends (the Heather posse), and all I can say is "Wow"!!!!

I had planned to read this book on my Kindle, concurrently with another book in paper form, but needless to say, after I began, this one took all of my attention!

Day's writing is just fantastic. The book was very well written, and the imagery of Piper's Point and Hart's Island were perfect. I could visualize it all, and I felt like I was really a part of the story. I truly felt the same nostalgia that Cass often did. This book had me going through all the emotions...sadness and crying, as Cass would often reflect on his time with the one woman who loved him so dear, his grandmother Sadie, to laughter to feeling really hot to just plain happiness! And *phew* - there were some scorching scenes for sure!

Cass and Nate's love story was beautiful. I loved that they grew up together and found love within each other's arms once again. I loved the reflection of their youthful days (rrawrrrrrr!!), and while they tried to deny themselves of a relationship after Cass returned to Piper's Point, of their undeniable chemistry and attraction 10 years later.

Added to all of this, this book was full of laugh out loud moments (the kitchen scene) and FABULOUS one-liners! Not only were Cass and Nate funny as hell, but so was the supporting cast. Ollie definitely deserves special mention here as his comments usually had me roaring.

This was my first Ethan Day book, but it SURELY will NOT be my last!!

[Ethan Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some Reviews for At Piper's Point

- 5 Stars and a Recommended Read from Dark Diva Reviews

"Wacky, loving characters, snarky humor, and screwball antics perfectly balanced by emotional depth make At Piper’s Point by Ethan Day the best book he has written to date."

http://ddrreviews.blogspot.com/2010/0...

- Aunt Lynn from Reviews by Jessewave gave it 5 Stars

"Run, don’t walk, to pick up this latest story by the wonderful Ethan Day. You won’t be sorry."

http://www.reviewsbyjessewave.com/?p=...

- 5 Stars from Michele-n-Jeff Reviews

“Ethan Day’s quick wit and talent for character development makes At Piper’s Point a genuine pleasure to experience.”

http://michelenjeff-reviews.blogspot....

- 5 Stars from Literary Nymphs

“The exceedingly talented Ethan Day has created an excellent multi-leveled story that I enjoyed immensely.”

http://literarynymphsreviewsonly.blog...

- 4.75 Stars from the Bookwenches

"Day has an engaging writing style, a flawless sense of comic timing, and a flair for creating vivid and personable characters."

http://www.bookwenches.com/august10re...

- 4.5 Stars from Rainbow Reviews

"This romantic comedy/drama is well written, humorous and with many sexy as well as sweet moments."

http://www.rainbow-reviews.com/?p=6922

[Katharina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

There are many great reviews on this book already, so I keep it really short:

This book is awesome! It's funny and lighthearted, but it still has substance and a real depth to it. And there were moments in there that really made me tear up. The characters (and there are quite many of them) were real and had all individual traits making them fun and an honest contribution to the story. Ethan Day has a casual writing style that makes every story, every character and every dialogue seem natural, believable, and this book is no exception.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I'll recommend it to everyone looking for a humorous, lighthearted but heartfelt story.

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was lighthearted and had funny moments that had me laughing while reading. There was some emotional parts which added to the overall book. There are a lot of characters which add to the book and I loved the friendship between them all. I ended up wanting to know more about all the characters. I was sad when it added and would love another book to see where all these characters ended up. Overall a very enjoyable read.

[Jenni Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Cute, funny and heartwarming. It did bring a tear to my eye a few times but in a good way so all is good. :)

Thanks Sammy Goode for the rec!

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the love of all that is gay and holy, I loved this book.

Cassidy comes from a rich, but cold family. He has known love and affection only from his grandmother, an independent and strong woman, larger than life. He spent his holiday at his grandmother's house, which she shared with a woman she gave shelter to, Natalie, and her son Nate, Cassidy's first love.

When Cassidy, after many years, comes back to take his grandmother's ashes home, after she died in a nursing home where she was confined by Cassidy's father, he finds himself dealing with his past, present and future at the same time - and they all have Nate in common.

Cassidy is practically perfect - handsome, rich, smart, with a sense of humor and he almost doesn't know it. He is absorbed in himself, but not because he contemplates his own attractiveness, but because he always tries to do the right thing. He wasn't able to take care of his grandmother Sadie while she was ill and he is convinced everybody on the island holds it against him. He is a man who sets his goals and expectations too high, especially when he is concerned, probably complicating his life. He always means well, he doesn't have a deceiving bone in his body, that's why his ex-lovers keep coming back as friends or to haunt him in some ways.

His clumsiness and his male harem provide many funny moments and a few situations when you can't help laughing out loud, but this book is also very emotional, because it deals with the material and moral inheritance with which we are left after people we loved die. This book touched a few chords, because I used to spend many of my summer days with my grandparents, and I still cherish those memories as some of the happiest of my life. And on these days the only grandmother I still have is leaving us and I could relate to Cassidy spending time at his grandmother's bedside. So, I got all mushy and misty-eyed and thank God for the humor spreading on the pages and making me smile.

The love story is very sweet and truly beautiful. All the secondary characters are memorable and there are many and they all have the right amount of attention, so that we get to know and care for them, even the dog. It was also fascinating how we saw Sadie's figure and her house come to life. It was a very enjoyable book, with a whole range of emotions. Highly recommended!

[LiveYourLife BuyTheBook · Rating 5 out of 5]

♡♥5 Stars - KAPOW!♥♡
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review

After years of battling with his father for custody of his stroke stricken grandmother, Cassidy Winters is finally bringing Sadie home to Piper’s Point. Home to her best friend and housekeeper, Natalie Sommers, and her son and Cassidy’s childhood friend and first lover, Nate. Even though Sadie has passed, she is an important part of the story. Cassidy’s memories of summers at “the shack”, Sadie’s name for her home, made her come alive as the focal point of the story. If I am very quiet and listen carefully, I can almost hear the jangle of Sadie’s gold bracelets. She is around every corner, just out of sight. I fell in love with her. And then the friends and lovers, both old and new join them. Cassidy draws people to him with his good looks and keeps them close with his warmth and sincerity

The whole time I was reading this book I was humming to myself, “It’s raining men, Hallelujah, It’s raining men”! Neil, Nate, Ollie, Spenser, Ben and Teddy all gathered together with Cassidy on a beach with alcohol were a riotous delight. I loved these guys. They are beautiful men. Witty, smart and totally comfortable with each other and their sexuality. I laughed with them on every page and wanted to join them around the bonfire on the beach.

When I was preparing to write this review, I was just going to skim through for reminders because I have read it so many times. Instead, I wound up savoring every word. Ethan Day didn’t just write a story, he wrote a total experience; a constructed world that comes alive every single time. A world of sea breezes and sand and history. I want to go there. I want to walk the beaches and visit the lighthouse. I want to go to a party with Cassidy and his wonderful friends. I want to dance with Ollie and listen to the guys talk about their day and each other. I want to see the new renovations to “the shack”. I want you to join me there. We’ll have a great time.

[Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a book that will grab you from the beginning and have you laughing all throughout it? Then this is your book! Ethan Day delivers a story that will have you holding your belly and laughing out loud for a great portion of this book.

If you have taken the time to read the blurb of this book, you may have noticed that Cassidy comes away as a bit of a slut and I guess he is a little bit. I think he could have been worse but I didn't think he was too much of a slut. However, because he is a bit of a slut he is caught in the most hilarious situations, almost right out of your favorite reality TV shows.

This book is funny guys! If you are looking for a break from angsty or plotty books and just want to read and have fun, you will not regret giving the story a chance. I can almost guarantee at the end of it, you will be chuckling all by yourself about the things that happen At Piper's Point.

[Hemmel M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Cassidy has a job and life somewhere in North Carolina, and a vacation home and love-interest on an island. You'd suspect the writer to focus on his dilemma, especially because this is the reason the love-interest keeps his distance. But no, he just offers a solution in the epilogue in a few sentences.
The story is more about Hart Island and its inhabitants.
The narrator chose to give several man in the book mannerisms, with exuberant ways of speaking. Very annoying.
He performs weird laughs realy weird and edits the soundtrack when people talk simultaneously or clap while speaking.
Together, it works well with all the characters we meet and learn to love.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sad when this book ended, I enjoyed it that much! It was funny, emotional, moving, witty, and pretty much everything else you could want from a m/m romance novel. I'm also a sucker for a HEA. The characters were all great and I especially loved Ollie who made me laugh on more than one occasion. This is a must read for all fans of the genre.

[Vero · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was funny, it was hot, it was sweet, it was entertaining and it was well written.
But something was missing to make it great - I cannot even say what exactly. Maybe that I didn't get the jump from "Let's stay friends" to "Lovers forever". The big finale was a bit boring actually and therefore "only" 4 stars.

[Justin Nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny book with excellent narration which had me laughing lots! I sooo wanna hang out Cassidy and his group of exes/ friends.

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my FAVOURITE book by Mr. Day. I don't know why I put this off for so long to read. I heard good reviews about it and now I know why. This story was well balanced between humour, sorrow, kindness and snarkiness. I'm not big on contemporary slice of life romances. If authors wrote them as well as Mr. Day, then I'd be reading many more contemporary romance.

Cassidy is a walking contradiction for me. He is an only child of wealthy parents. Yet he isn't spoiled, mean or cruel. Instead, he's rather kindhearted and gentle. His relationships on the other hand all come with an expiration date. It's rather amusing how many men he goes through and how his relationships end. What I like most about Cassidy is his depth of character. He tries to do the right thing and he's torn at times. He's human and doesn't always do the right thing. Even though he's from a dysfunctional family, he still has empathy which I attribute to his grandmother, Sadie.

The pain points in this book cut me to a quick. I felt sorrow, frustration and anger as Cassidy's helplessness to protect Sadie was revealed. Then to learn about Cassidy's grandfather and his love for Sadie, it just broke my heart a little bit more. Nate's mixed messages and how he was wounded back when he was 20 comes across as stupid lack of communication, yet somehow, the way it was presented by Mr. Day, it just made my heart bleed for Nate.

The humour in this book is outrageous. It isn't the witty banter or cutting dialog like some of the other authors I admire. It's the combination of witty remarks and comical situations Mr. Day places his characters. When all the ex's come together, I was laughing my ass off. Bionic cock. HAH!

I can definitely say that this book is a 5 star rating for me because EACH character I remembered and they are all distinctive for me. So many times, authors create characters who are similar and indistinguishable to me. Mr. Day's gift is creating unique individuals that I can see clearly and remember. This in itself is a feat since there are so many characters in this cast of manfest. I can even list them all out by memory!

Cast of Characters
Cassidy - sweet, hot, emotionally unattainable professor
Nate - first love, sexy web designer and so much more (a biter though!)
Ollie - can we say drama queen? This is the type of character who's been in many of Mr. Day's main leads. I have to say, I enjoyed this change to supporting cast instead.
Spencer - little instigator
Neil - Trisexathon? Is this really even a word? I'm actually kind of impressed. Horny bastard.
Ben - Sexy vet - sure, sign me up, I'll be your pet! Wowza
Teddy - geesh, dumb jock much? But oh so sweet. I just wanna hug him, squeeze him and keep him...
Natalie - Nate's mother who is part of the Lollipop Guild. I can't get that image out of my head.
Sadie - I thought of her as Catherine Deneau(sic). That classy french actress who into mature years was still a femme fatale.
Lionel - ASSHOLE FATHER
Lillian - Mother w/o a spine
Samuel - The one love of Sadie's life

There were others that were funny. I felt as if I was drawn into a small community that is everyone's dream. People like and dislike each other. There is a small controlling "forefathers" and the gossip mill was live and thriving. Most of all, there was a sense of community. I think this is what I loved best, as Cassidy finally found his home.

I recommend this book to people who long for sense of belonging. For people who think distance and jobs make a relationship impossible, this story will show you different.

[Elyxyz Elyxyz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Amo le storie che Ethan Day sa creare e questa non fa eccezione, perché è il giusto mix di sensualità bollente, siparietti comici e altri imbarazzanti, introspezione seria – a tratti malinconica –, con una trama ben costruita e affidata a dei bei personaggi, sempre un po’ sopra le righe nei loro dialoghi e nelle azioni, com’è nello stile di quest’autore.
Cassidy Winters, il nostro protagonista, fa ritorno nell’isola dove abitava Sadie, l’adorata, eclettica nonna (ma non chiamatela così, perché lei si offenderebbe!) e dove lui, fin da bambino, trascorreva tutte le sue vacanze.
Da molti anni Cass non rimette piede lì, per colpa di una disputa ereditaria e di vari sensi di colpa, ma ora che le questioni burocratiche si sono risolte, Cassidy è l’erede legittimo del luogo e intende esaudire le ultime volontà dell’unica parente che l’abbia mai amato davvero.
Anche se le prime righe si aprono con una scena malinconica, perché non è mai semplice fare i conti col passato, la storia prende presto un’altra piega e sembra la versione gaya di “Tutti pazzi per Mary”, quando in casa di Sadie si raduna mezza dozzina di aitanti uomini che sono finiti a letto con Cassidy o che hanno intenzione di (ri)provarci, creando momenti imbarazzanti, di tensione, gelosie, recriminazioni, ma anche bollori e imprevisti divertenti, il tutto condito con litri di alcolici, mentre il povero Cass deve sopravvivere agli assalti e a incidenti vari e, mettendo a cuccia il Piccolo Cass nelle mutande, rielaborare il proprio lutto personale.
Nate, amico d’infanzia e primo amore, svolge un ruolo chiave nella storia, così come sua madre Natalie, la migliore amica di Sadie e sua coinquilina di lunga data, che aveva sempre fatto un po’ da mamma anche a Cass.
Gli amici di Cassidy sono degli adorabili disgraziati, detto in senso buono, pronti a soccorrerti a ogni costo, ma anche a buttarti a mare per ripicca.
Sadie, la grande assente, è un personaggio speciale che permea tutta la trama: poliedrico, progressista, scandaloso e affascinante. Una donna che ammalia e non può lasciare indifferenti, che con la sua vita ha segnato quelle di chi l’ha incontrata.
La piccola Cane merita una menzione tutta sua, perché mi ha fatta ridacchiare più di una volta.
Anche se il libro affronta l’argomento ‘lutto’ e tutti gli annessi, con spruzzate di serietà, non ha un’atmosfera drammatica e soffocante, perché resta una commedia. La storia contiene scene erotiche esplicite e dettagliate, sensuali e coinvolgenti. La trama ha un buon ritmo e la resa italiana è piacevole e curata, con un editing praticamente perfetto. Personalmente, avrei messo in corsivo le brevi frasi di riflessione in prima persona, per staccare dal resto della narrazione, ma i pensieri di Cassidy sono chiari anche così.
Leggetevi questa storia, perché merita (magari con un mojito accanto, per brindare anche voi in onore di Sadie, e un ventilatore a portata di mano per i momenti bollenti!)

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Cassidy Winters returns to his beloved grandmother's home after a long and bitter legal battle with his father. It's been four years since her death and he finally has the right to bring her back home. His plans for a quiet memorial for Sadie and some time to figure out what to do with the house are soon shattered by the unexpected arrival of several men.

First he meets Neil on the beach and they end up enjoying a fantastic night together. Soon after Cassidy rescues a little dog and meets Ben, the town's vet. Next he gets a visit from Nate, his childhood friend and first love who appears to have a past connection to Ben. Natalie, Nate's mother, was Sadie's best friend and housekeeper and soon Nate is moving back into his former home as well.

Cassidy's best friends Ollie and Spencer arrive for the summer followed closely by a surprise visit from Teddy, Cassidy's ex-boyfriend. Suddenly Cassidy's dreams of a quite peaceful Summer are blown out of the water as he has to deal with planning Sadie's memorial, a house filled with ex-lovers, the colorful and quirky people of the town wanting more than just a summer visit from him and his ever present memories of the past.

As Cassidy and his houseful of guest prepare for the celebration of Sadie's life he must figure a way to work through his painful past, think about what he really wants for his future and find a way to let his heart accept the love he's being offered.

At Piper's Point is a very entertaining story. Cassidy and his friends are well drawn, 3 dimensional, likable characters. This romantic comedy/drama is well written, humorous and with many sexy as well as sweet moments. As with the other stories I've read by Ethan Day there are laugh out loud moments as well as poignant and emotional ones too.

The story starts out slow and a bit somber but quickly turns into a fun and engaging read. I really enjoyed the interactions between the group of men as well as the scenes with the residents of the town. Cassidy, Nate and the others are all memorable characters and their story kept me glued to my eReader until way too late into the night.

Even though there are several young, healthy and horny men passing the summer at Piper's Point this story does not contain menage or group sex scenes. Cassidy does find himself surrounded by men who at one time or another have been his lover but this is a romance, with a wonderful HEA, and once he and Nate reunite the sexual tension, and love, between them is unmistakable even though it takes Cassidy a while to see and accept what's right in front of him. When they finally come together it is not only scorching hot but also sweet and loving.

I also really enjoyed how Cassidy interacted with the various townsfolk as they reminisced about Sadie and prepared the house for the celebration. It was also nice to learn a bit of Sadie's past, and therefore Cassidy's past, and how those events shaped his life. The scene towards the end with his parents made me sad for him yet had me wanting to high-five him at the same time.

At Piper's Point was a pleasure to read and I highly recommend it.

[Thomaidha Papa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews

This was a very interesting story to read. I fell in love with it not in first sight, but in a steady pace as the story evolved. At first I admit I thought it was a bit too melancholic for me. As I went on reading I had resigned myself for a bittersweet kind of book, hence the hilarity that followed caught me unaware. I am now thankful I wasn’t eating or drinking anything while reading, because I don’t think I would survive the gathering of Cassidy’s exes, old and new, unscathed.

And that brings me to the many characters of this book. I think I’m in love… with all of them – yes, even Tom, the last character to be introduced at the very end of the book. I think I love them all because each and every one of them was so very unique.

Cassidy is, ah, how should I put this, a man-whore you cannot fail to adore. He’s a natural charmer, irresistible, and insatiable, yet he’s also the most vulnerable creature in this little corner of the world.

Raised in richness Cassidy lack the love of his parents, who were both cold people, especially his father. Yet he was fortunate enough to spend his summer with his Sadie (she refused to be called grandmother) who loved him unconditionally. His grandmother’s unique personality and immeasurable love shaped Cassidy’s own character and gave him strength he otherwise might not have had to keep on fighting for her when she needed him to against his own father. Alas! His failure hunts him and guilt rides his heart. Finally, after years of legal fights Cassidy is able to bring his Sadie back home to Piper’s Point for the last goodbye. But he forgets one thing; Sadie was not only his, she belonged to Hart’s.

It is a journey really this book, a journey into growing up, owning yourself and the world around you, and finally finding and accepting love. Cassidy has to relive his past, own his present, and be open to his future, all the while Nate, his best friend, fist lover, and first and only love stands by him through his journey. I think those two are the world’s greatest teasers I’ve ever seen in a book. The entire read was one great tease, and by God even I felt I was about to lose it with Nate’s antics.

Spencer and Ollie, Cassidy’s best friends (and both exes), were an incredible couple adding humour and fun to the mix, as were Neil (the new ex) and Teddy (the second to last ex) with their rivalry over our man-slut. These characters had a great effect in dispelling the melancholic situation this entire story revolves around. And Natalie (Nate’s mother) *groans* oh my God, Natalie; I will remember this character and her kitchen scene for as long as I live. I’m still wincing inwardly for them damned bite-marks.

But the greatest character of them all for me was the deceased Sadie Hart, the great Lady of Piper’s Point. She was simply brilliant, even dead!

This is such a multi-dimensional book and I could talk/write for it for hours. In the end what you need to know is that it’s brilliantly written and that you will have the best time reading it. Strongly recommended!

Thommie

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection!

From the description in the blurb, I was looking forward to reading this book but what was delivered was so much more than I was expecting. This was a story about family and friends and fighting for love.

At Piper's Point is the story of Cassidy, a man returning to his grandmother's home for the first time in many years. Sadie had passed away years previously but it is only now that Cassidy is in a position to return. The first chapter is so evocative, filled with Cassidy's reminiscences of his summer's spent with Sadie. I almost felt like I was walking around the house with Cassidy as the sights and smells brought back his memories. From this moment I knew this wasn't just a book about a summer of friends and fun but a book dealing with much deeper emotions.

Sadie, Cassidy's grandmother, plays a large role in this book, as she did in Cassidy's life and the lives of everyone she touched. Through memory, we get to know Sadie and the impact she had on Cassidy, how important she was to the young boy with uncaring parents. She gave him love and a home and was a huge influence on Cassidy and his actions.

The book explores Cassidy's emotions, his feelings toward his parents and about the events of his childhood and most importantly how he finally makes the decision about his future. But through all of this there is a light-heartedness brought by the wonderful friends he has surrounded himself with and the very special love he gets from his grandmother's friend and housekeeper, Natalie.

Cassidy seems to draw men to him and is surrounded by admirers from his first day at Piper's Point! Between his newest conquest, his first boyfriend Nate, an ex-boyfriend who unexpectedly arrives, the local vet and his ex-lover best friends, this was not going to be a quiet summer. The tension between Cassidy and Nate is palpable as they cautiously deal with their simmering feelings while surrounded by a houseful of ex-lovers. The secondary characters are totally fabulous, particularly Ollie and Spencer. Between this group of men there is drinking, humour, flirting, fighting, sex and friendship.

Mixed in with all the partying is the emotional turmoil as Cassidy comes to terms with his true feelings and what he really wants out of life, leading to a beautiful conclusion that Sadie would have been happy to see.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in return for my honest review.

I now publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!

[Josephine Myles · Rating 5 out of 5]

At Piper's Point is a perfect summer read - not only does it have the island setting, but the romance is amusing, entertaining and above all, emotionally satisfying.

Cassidy Winters is not my usual ideal hero - brought up in a moneyed family, incredibly attractive and unable to commit himself to any of his boyfriends for longer than a school year, he has two saving graces: his love of his eccentric grandmother, Sadie, and all she stood for, and his sense of humour. When he returns to Piper's Point after Sadie's death, Cassidy encounters more gay men than you could shake a stick at, one of whom is his first love, Nate, who he promptly invites to move back into Sadie's house.

There ensues an entertaining romp, with a rather wonderful central scene where all of Cassidy's exes gather in the house and mayhem ensues. It reminded me of a Restoration comedy, and there were plenty more moments of comic drama before the ending.

I think Ethan Day's genius is in managing to weave the poignant memories Cassidy has of Sadie, and his sense of having lost so many years of happiness, through the rather camp and bitchy shenanigans with Cassidy's friends. Sadie, despite being dead, is an important character in the story, and I was pleased to find another well rounded female character in Nate's mother, Natalie.

I was surprised at how few sex scenes there were in this book, considering it was published by Loose Id, but I felt the amount was fine for the story, and those that were there were hot and emotionally satisfying.

All round, a very fine read indeed.

[SueM · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, entertaining M/M Romance novel that had surprising depth (well, to me, anyway) carefully hidden under the humor. While I grinned at some of the scenes, it also moved me to tears, and any novel that can me both laugh and cry is a good novel as far as I am concerned.

Cassidy, a young almost-professor, returns to Hart's Island 4 years after his beloved Sadie's death (his Grandmother, but he was never allowed to call her that!) after a long legal battle with his father as to who was the beneficiary of Sadie's property. He is a man who is burdened with grief, guilt and uncertainty, but he is also a man who seems to collect past lovers as friends. While the past lovers/friends provide many of the light hearted moments, they also provide the push he needs to finally move forward with his life, allowing him to discover the love he never realized had been waiting for him.

Although I found Cassidy annoying at times, especially when he refused to see what was before him, I also found him endearingly warm-hearted and compassionate. While he is almost determinedly blind to his own problems with love, he is very astute in dealing with those around him. There is a lot of heart hidden beneath the banter, with humor and mayhem camouflaging the underlying care and love of many of the characters. I must admit, the camouflage was very effective at first as it took me a bit to see the hidden details. Once I saw through it however, the novel carried me away and I enjoyed it immensely.

[Paisley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book for the second time.
had actually read this book a couple of years ago - it was one of the first Ethan Day books I ever read - and it was really due for a re-read.

The thing about Ethan Day is he writes a really great funny & heartfelt story. He is able to mix emotions so smoothly. I find his characters are smart and witty and usually a bit snarky (which I love).

When I read this book in 2010 my mom had just died a few months before (and my dad a year before) so I was pretty raw to deal with some of the melancholy moments of the story. This time it was easier for me to digest and enjoy.

I really love stories that deal with past loves being reunited. I also enjoy books with humor and funny circumstances that materialize over and over - this one has lots of that. On top of it all there are just some really great characters in this book!

4.5 stars - it's a really great story and worth reading (esp if you like Ethan Day)