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Thornwood #3
Somewhere to Belong
A Thornwood Novel
Needy. Obsessive. Clingy. Twenty-five-year-old Eli Walker has heard it all. That’s why he doesn’t bother calling back the guys he’s been with anymore. Sex should be about fun, not a relationship, and no one has complained about him getting overly attached in years. If only he actually felt wanted for once instead of empty and used when guys are done with him.
Grayson Pendleton is a wealthy business consultant with clients all over the world. His life is often glamorous, but it leaves him no time for a relationship, and at forty-eight, he’s starting to notice the lack of romance in his life. His only romantic connection is Eli, but they’re just two guys who have sex occasionally. It took him months to get Eli’s first name, and even now they only communicate through a hookup app.
When Grayson inherits a house in Thornwood, Colorado, it’s one more thing he doesn’t need in his life, and he knows he won’t be there enough to enjoy it. Still, the old house has the potential to be a home, and more importantly, it gives Grayson a chance to save Eli when he needs it most.
Needy. Obsessive. Clingy. Twenty-five-year-old Eli Walker has heard it all. That’s why he doesn’t bother calling back the guys he’s been with anymore. Sex should be about fun, not a relationship, and no one has complained about him getting overly attached in years. If only he actually felt wanted for once instead of empty and used when guys are done with him.
Grayson Pendleton is a wealthy business consultant with clients all over the world. His life is often glamorous, but it leaves him no time for a relationship, and at forty-eight, he’s starting to notice the lack of romance in his life. His only romantic connection is Eli, but they’re just two guys who have sex occasionally. It took him months to get Eli’s first name, and even now they only communicate through a hookup app.
When Grayson inherits a house in Thornwood, Colorado, it’s one more thing he doesn’t need in his life, and he knows he won’t be there enough to enjoy it. Still, the old house has the potential to be a home, and more importantly, it gives Grayson a chance to save Eli when he needs it most.
- GenresM M RomanceGay
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 7, 2017
About the author
Caitlin Ricci
300 books181 followersCaitlin was fortunate growing up to be surrounded by family and teachers that encouraged her love of reading. She has always been a voracious reader and that love of the written word easily morphed into a passion for writing. If she isn't writing, she can usually be found studying as she works toward her counseling degree. She comes from a military family and the men and women of the armed forces are close to her heart. She also enjoys gardening and horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies where she calls home with her wonderful fiance and their dog. Her belief that there is no one true path to happily ever after runs deeply through all of her stories.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 7, 2017
Full review available at: https://optimummblog.wordpress.com/20...
I liked Somewhere to Belong by Caitlin Ricci. It had a good flow to the story. It was nicely edited, and I enjoyed the characters. I liked the storyline about a horse rescue worker, Eli, and wealthy business consultant, Grayson, and how they start out as just casual hook-ups through an app and then through circumstances and persistence from Grayson they begin to be more. First friends and then boyfriends. But it’s definitely a slow process fraught with miscommunication and angst and Grayson having to show Eli how to let him in and that Eli is worthy of more than what he’s been settling for which is being used by anybody who wants him for sex, and Grayson will have to convince him that he is worthy of being loved.
Eli has only known guys from the hook-up app. He’s never had a relationship or even a date. But he’s found that the more needy and clingy he is, the faster his hook-ups stop responding to him and start ignoring him. So he’s learned over the years to go in and get what he’s there for and leave and wait for them to contact him again. He has learned to close off his emotions and not to want more to keep from getting hurt. During his days he works as a full-time assistant to a horse rescue. He gets to do home evaluations and evaluate all of the new horses that come in and decide what kind of training they have had, which results in him being thrown or kicked on a daily basis. And all I have to say to that he must have one high threshold for pain because it definitely doesn’t slow him down or keep him from hooking up.
Grayson’s always wanted more from Eli since they first started hooking up through the app but he can sense from Eli that if he pushes too hard too fast for more then he will lose him forever. But he can’t help wanting more. Eli is everything that he’s ever wanted. He is just his type, and they have awesome chemistry together. So he will just have to slowly chip away at the wall that Eli has up between them. He’s impressed with Eli’s work ethic and his passion for his job, and it inspires him to want to do something that will also matter instead of his consultant job. He isn’t perfect by any means but he is quick to learn from his mistakes, and that’s all that Eli asks for. I loved how protective Grayson is toward Eli and how he wants to help him.
My only problem with this story is a couple of things that only a person who lives, works, and trains horses would question. The part about Eli not wearing glasses because they get broken when he gets thrown is believable and a good reason to wear contact lenses. However, he wouldn’t wear contacts because the arena was too dusty and his glasses would get dusty. If anything, he would have to wear sunglasses while riding in the dusty arena with contact lenses. Dirt in the eye with contact lenses would be murder on the eyes and also dangerous while evaluating a new horse. The other part that bugged me would be that Eli went commando under his riding jeans. I have had enough boyfriends that have tried to ride in boxers while trotting a horse to understand how painful that is and have to wear briefs while riding even if they normally prefer to wear different underwear or no underwear.
So I have a hard time believing that he would willing go commando. He could get away with wearing a jock strap but not going commando, he would need some form of support. The same would be true for a woman to ride without wearing a bra or sports bra, it just wouldn’t happen. So yeah for those little things that I am sure only a rider would notice or be bothered by I gave this book 4*s.
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
I liked Somewhere to Belong by Caitlin Ricci. It had a good flow to the story. It was nicely edited, and I enjoyed the characters. I liked the storyline about a horse rescue worker, Eli, and wealthy business consultant, Grayson, and how they start out as just casual hook-ups through an app and then through circumstances and persistence from Grayson they begin to be more. First friends and then boyfriends. But it’s definitely a slow process fraught with miscommunication and angst and Grayson having to show Eli how to let him in and that Eli is worthy of more than what he’s been settling for which is being used by anybody who wants him for sex, and Grayson will have to convince him that he is worthy of being loved.
Eli has only known guys from the hook-up app. He’s never had a relationship or even a date. But he’s found that the more needy and clingy he is, the faster his hook-ups stop responding to him and start ignoring him. So he’s learned over the years to go in and get what he’s there for and leave and wait for them to contact him again. He has learned to close off his emotions and not to want more to keep from getting hurt. During his days he works as a full-time assistant to a horse rescue. He gets to do home evaluations and evaluate all of the new horses that come in and decide what kind of training they have had, which results in him being thrown or kicked on a daily basis. And all I have to say to that he must have one high threshold for pain because it definitely doesn’t slow him down or keep him from hooking up.
Grayson’s always wanted more from Eli since they first started hooking up through the app but he can sense from Eli that if he pushes too hard too fast for more then he will lose him forever. But he can’t help wanting more. Eli is everything that he’s ever wanted. He is just his type, and they have awesome chemistry together. So he will just have to slowly chip away at the wall that Eli has up between them. He’s impressed with Eli’s work ethic and his passion for his job, and it inspires him to want to do something that will also matter instead of his consultant job. He isn’t perfect by any means but he is quick to learn from his mistakes, and that’s all that Eli asks for. I loved how protective Grayson is toward Eli and how he wants to help him.
My only problem with this story is a couple of things that only a person who lives, works, and trains horses would question. The part about Eli not wearing glasses because they get broken when he gets thrown is believable and a good reason to wear contact lenses. However, he wouldn’t wear contacts because the arena was too dusty and his glasses would get dusty. If anything, he would have to wear sunglasses while riding in the dusty arena with contact lenses. Dirt in the eye with contact lenses would be murder on the eyes and also dangerous while evaluating a new horse. The other part that bugged me would be that Eli went commando under his riding jeans. I have had enough boyfriends that have tried to ride in boxers while trotting a horse to understand how painful that is and have to wear briefs while riding even if they normally prefer to wear different underwear or no underwear.
So I have a hard time believing that he would willing go commando. He could get away with wearing a jock strap but not going commando, he would need some form of support. The same would be true for a woman to ride without wearing a bra or sports bra, it just wouldn’t happen. So yeah for those little things that I am sure only a rider would notice or be bothered by I gave this book 4*s.
***The ARC was provided by Dreamspinner Press. My review is an honest opinion of the book***
July 20, 2017
Somewhere to Belong (Thornwood, #3) (ARC) was graciously provided to me by Gay Book Reviews for an honest review.
"Love and Pierogies"
Stunningly beautiful, captivating and unique, are just some of the words that come to mind when thinking about the book I just read. This new book had me practically in a constant state of melted goo the entire time I read it. I felt like I had a warm, comfortable and soothing blanket wrapped around me as I read most of the book. The book I'm raving about is entitled, Somewhere to Belong, by Caitlin Ricci. I absolutely loved it and didn't want it to end..
Well..in all honesty, I loved a good majority of it. And, I say it as such due to the existence of a trigger that, while it doesn't appear throughout the entire book, does appear throughout the beginning and was difficult for me to read when I did come across it. But..despite wishing for those times to not exist at all, they never stood in the way of continuing to read the book, nor did they impede my thoughts, as a whole, about the entire book. I've read another book by this author called, Beneath the Layers, so I'm not surprised by how much I enjoyed this book as well.
As previously mentioned, this is a book that has been very uniquely written. And, that's fine with me, and it doesn't bother me at all. Instead of beginning as a typical May-December book, it actually begins with two men having already met and well within a relaxed relationship. So, in that respect, I kind of had to play catch-up with their background. But, again, not a big deal. Somewhere to Belong, is a story about two men, Grayson Pendleton, a businessman, and Eli Walker, a horse whisperer, who meet through the use of a particular computer app. As both men continue down the road of discovery in their budding relationship, they both discover that there is something uniquely different with the other, as compared to other individuals they have met, and, soon discover that fate has actually been knocking on their door, and will not stop until Grayson and Eli finally realize that it's best that they answer fates persistent knocking...
Somewhere to Belong, is the smoothly-written story of Grayson and Eli, and, their journey of strength, determination, love, self-discovery, comfort, compassion, selflessness and unbelievable kindness. As I eagerly began reading, I quickly discovered that it was a lengthy story. YES! SCORE! A long book. I was so glad to have discovered this, but, due to the smooth and concise style of the writing, I also found the pace to be quick, and, in the end, I had wished for even more of the story to exist. I found it to be smoothly-written due to the fact that, there really was only one major obstacle to the story, and any others that had existed, were minor, and, were handled rather quickly. Unfortunately, the one major obstacle was, in fact, the trigger, and, really wasn't dealt with completely. There wasn't a necessary true closure to it. For the most part.
Throughout most of the story, the mc's found themselves in uncharted relationship territory, and, soon discovered that they had finally kissed their ultimate prince. It was so incredibly beautiful to read the extent at which Grayson had taken, and would still take, to simply make Eli happy, provide Eli comfort, and help Eli with stabilizing his future. Omg...can I just pocket Grayson? Oh, and Eli too, because..a horse whisperer?? Now, come on! While that's my own title for him, it's still Eli and horses. Horses! YES! As Grayson found his own added happiness as a result of being able to provide happiness for Eli, he was also able to provide Eli with his...ultimate and necessary place..to belong. *thinking about hearts and rainbows* When I read that part, yeah, I cried, because that was simply..stunning...
This book was a great read, and, I'm still bummed, days later, because I still wish that it was longer. *sigh* I will admit, that I was a little confused with how it began, and, I had to do a confused re-read to figure it all out. I would have liked to have a typical book beginning so as to be able to get more of the background of both mc's. I do not feel there was enough depth to the character development, as there could be, because many questions still exist pertaining to their background. I would also have enjoyed some development of their surroundings, as they live near by the beautiful Rocky Mountains. I was also disappointed that the trigger wasn't completely closed by one of the mc's, because he had really earned that closure. Other than these areas that left me befuddled, the existence of a..confusing scene, and a rather abrupt, although I still understood it..ending *dreamy sigh*, the story had a rather welcomed smoothness to it that I had enjoyed.
I enjoyed reading about the secondary characters, and, many of them did make cameos from the previous books. While I had not read any of them, from the Thornwood Series, as-of-yet, it didn't take away from the overall comprehension of this book. While I do not believe it to be a requirement to read, prior to reading this one, I would still recommend it in order to be able to add to the overall enjoyment of this particular book. And...*achem*..I am hoping to see a future book for one of the secondary characters, because Mason is just too amazing to pass up..;)
The chemistry between Grayson and Eli was amazing, beautiful, as well as incredibly tender... It didn't take over the plot, and it did appear sporadically throughout the entire story.
Overall, I loved Somewhere to Belong, by Caitlin Ricci. I found it to be written in such a way that enabled time to just fly by as I found myself deeply immersed within the book. It's a story about strength, compassion, peace, kindness, selflessness, and..love.. Reading it exemplified my thoughts about love, as love has no boundaries, and, I'm so glad I read it..:)
"Love and Pierogies"
Stunningly beautiful, captivating and unique, are just some of the words that come to mind when thinking about the book I just read. This new book had me practically in a constant state of melted goo the entire time I read it. I felt like I had a warm, comfortable and soothing blanket wrapped around me as I read most of the book. The book I'm raving about is entitled, Somewhere to Belong, by Caitlin Ricci. I absolutely loved it and didn't want it to end..
Well..in all honesty, I loved a good majority of it. And, I say it as such due to the existence of a trigger that, while it doesn't appear throughout the entire book, does appear throughout the beginning and was difficult for me to read when I did come across it. But..despite wishing for those times to not exist at all, they never stood in the way of continuing to read the book, nor did they impede my thoughts, as a whole, about the entire book. I've read another book by this author called, Beneath the Layers, so I'm not surprised by how much I enjoyed this book as well.
As previously mentioned, this is a book that has been very uniquely written. And, that's fine with me, and it doesn't bother me at all. Instead of beginning as a typical May-December book, it actually begins with two men having already met and well within a relaxed relationship. So, in that respect, I kind of had to play catch-up with their background. But, again, not a big deal. Somewhere to Belong, is a story about two men, Grayson Pendleton, a businessman, and Eli Walker, a horse whisperer, who meet through the use of a particular computer app. As both men continue down the road of discovery in their budding relationship, they both discover that there is something uniquely different with the other, as compared to other individuals they have met, and, soon discover that fate has actually been knocking on their door, and will not stop until Grayson and Eli finally realize that it's best that they answer fates persistent knocking...
Somewhere to Belong, is the smoothly-written story of Grayson and Eli, and, their journey of strength, determination, love, self-discovery, comfort, compassion, selflessness and unbelievable kindness. As I eagerly began reading, I quickly discovered that it was a lengthy story. YES! SCORE! A long book. I was so glad to have discovered this, but, due to the smooth and concise style of the writing, I also found the pace to be quick, and, in the end, I had wished for even more of the story to exist. I found it to be smoothly-written due to the fact that, there really was only one major obstacle to the story, and any others that had existed, were minor, and, were handled rather quickly. Unfortunately, the one major obstacle was, in fact, the trigger, and, really wasn't dealt with completely. There wasn't a necessary true closure to it. For the most part.
Throughout most of the story, the mc's found themselves in uncharted relationship territory, and, soon discovered that they had finally kissed their ultimate prince. It was so incredibly beautiful to read the extent at which Grayson had taken, and would still take, to simply make Eli happy, provide Eli comfort, and help Eli with stabilizing his future. Omg...can I just pocket Grayson? Oh, and Eli too, because..a horse whisperer?? Now, come on! While that's my own title for him, it's still Eli and horses. Horses! YES! As Grayson found his own added happiness as a result of being able to provide happiness for Eli, he was also able to provide Eli with his...ultimate and necessary place..to belong. *thinking about hearts and rainbows* When I read that part, yeah, I cried, because that was simply..stunning...
This book was a great read, and, I'm still bummed, days later, because I still wish that it was longer. *sigh* I will admit, that I was a little confused with how it began, and, I had to do a confused re-read to figure it all out. I would have liked to have a typical book beginning so as to be able to get more of the background of both mc's. I do not feel there was enough depth to the character development, as there could be, because many questions still exist pertaining to their background. I would also have enjoyed some development of their surroundings, as they live near by the beautiful Rocky Mountains. I was also disappointed that the trigger wasn't completely closed by one of the mc's, because he had really earned that closure. Other than these areas that left me befuddled, the existence of a..confusing scene, and a rather abrupt, although I still understood it..ending *dreamy sigh*, the story had a rather welcomed smoothness to it that I had enjoyed.
I enjoyed reading about the secondary characters, and, many of them did make cameos from the previous books. While I had not read any of them, from the Thornwood Series, as-of-yet, it didn't take away from the overall comprehension of this book. While I do not believe it to be a requirement to read, prior to reading this one, I would still recommend it in order to be able to add to the overall enjoyment of this particular book. And...*achem*..I am hoping to see a future book for one of the secondary characters, because Mason is just too amazing to pass up..;)
The chemistry between Grayson and Eli was amazing, beautiful, as well as incredibly tender... It didn't take over the plot, and it did appear sporadically throughout the entire story.
Overall, I loved Somewhere to Belong, by Caitlin Ricci. I found it to be written in such a way that enabled time to just fly by as I found myself deeply immersed within the book. It's a story about strength, compassion, peace, kindness, selflessness, and..love.. Reading it exemplified my thoughts about love, as love has no boundaries, and, I'm so glad I read it..:)
August 1, 2017
I received a copy to read and review for Wicked Reads
This book was enjoyable. There were times where I wanted to reach through my Kindle and slap Eli and ask him WTH was wrong with him but I liked the book. Eli and Grayson met on a hook up app. and from there it took months to learn each others names but then after that it seemed to move pretty fast. I liked how Eli finally got his backbone and told Grayson off when his friend was being a jerk, I think he needed that backbone when dealing with the guy wanting to trade sex for rent. It was a good book with a lot of heart and some horses thrown in. I didn't read any of the books that this was a spin off from but I don't feel like I was missing out on anything.
This book was enjoyable. There were times where I wanted to reach through my Kindle and slap Eli and ask him WTH was wrong with him but I liked the book. Eli and Grayson met on a hook up app. and from there it took months to learn each others names but then after that it seemed to move pretty fast. I liked how Eli finally got his backbone and told Grayson off when his friend was being a jerk, I think he needed that backbone when dealing with the guy wanting to trade sex for rent. It was a good book with a lot of heart and some horses thrown in. I didn't read any of the books that this was a spin off from but I don't feel like I was missing out on anything.
August 2, 2017
3.5 stars - I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Horse trainer Eli and wealthy businessman Grayson meet using an app for casual hook-ups. Slowly, Grayson earns Eli’s trust and the two men move from hook-ups into a relationship.
Eli is passionate about his work at a horse rescue centre but his life beyond the horses is pretty messy. As a character, he didn’t always make sense to me. He has huge confident with the horses and staff at the rescue but also gets himself into a grim domestic abuse situation. I wanted to like him but it was difficult when he wouldn’t stand up for himself.
Grayson is a little too much of a daddy figure for my liking. He regularly uses the hook-up app for no-strings sex with much younger men and I didn’t quite understand why he grew so attached to Eli. Some readers will find his protective caregiver thing with Eli quite sweet but for me it felt overbearing and more than a little bit intrusive.
The romance between Eli and Grayson is about as instalove as romance writing gets. Their journey from Grindr hook-ups to roommates to life partners feels instantaneous, especially for two men from very different backgrounds with a huge age gap between them.
There are a couple of storylines that didn’t quite work for me in this book. Eli’s relationship with his abusive landlord is a huge focus at the start of the book - and then it just disappears without any real resolution. I’m also not sure that the subplot about Grayson’s friend Nigel really added anything to the story.
Horse trainer Eli and wealthy businessman Grayson meet using an app for casual hook-ups. Slowly, Grayson earns Eli’s trust and the two men move from hook-ups into a relationship.
Eli is passionate about his work at a horse rescue centre but his life beyond the horses is pretty messy. As a character, he didn’t always make sense to me. He has huge confident with the horses and staff at the rescue but also gets himself into a grim domestic abuse situation. I wanted to like him but it was difficult when he wouldn’t stand up for himself.
Grayson is a little too much of a daddy figure for my liking. He regularly uses the hook-up app for no-strings sex with much younger men and I didn’t quite understand why he grew so attached to Eli. Some readers will find his protective caregiver thing with Eli quite sweet but for me it felt overbearing and more than a little bit intrusive.
The romance between Eli and Grayson is about as instalove as romance writing gets. Their journey from Grindr hook-ups to roommates to life partners feels instantaneous, especially for two men from very different backgrounds with a huge age gap between them.
There are a couple of storylines that didn’t quite work for me in this book. Eli’s relationship with his abusive landlord is a huge focus at the start of the book - and then it just disappears without any real resolution. I’m also not sure that the subplot about Grayson’s friend Nigel really added anything to the story.
October 19, 2017
I enjoyed this story. It was at some point, an adorable May-December interracial relationship.
A lesson (trauma?) from his past relationship, Eli didn't believe that he's worth a good relationship. Very skeptical, but then he met this guy Grayson, twenty something senior his age, and cared about him.
I haven't read the two earlier books, I'm not sure if I want to read about Eli's past lover, Trent.
He seemed like a clueless a**hole for Eli.
But, that's another story.
I was kinda pissed with Eli's stupidity about his landlord son, but that's the risk he's taken for being stupid.
Good thing is, it was not too long and before he make any damage for himself, Grayson's offer has became his only one solution.
Love came easily for both of them. There's one racist friend I'd like to punch in the face, but I think even Grason had been an idiot before, he's finally did the right thing.
There's times when I really wanted to slap both Gray and Eli of course. But I'm glad that everything ended well in the end.
A lesson (trauma?) from his past relationship, Eli didn't believe that he's worth a good relationship. Very skeptical, but then he met this guy Grayson, twenty something senior his age, and cared about him.
I haven't read the two earlier books, I'm not sure if I want to read about Eli's past lover, Trent.
He seemed like a clueless a**hole for Eli.
But, that's another story.
I was kinda pissed with Eli's stupidity about his landlord son, but that's the risk he's taken for being stupid.
Good thing is, it was not too long and before he make any damage for himself, Grayson's offer has became his only one solution.
Love came easily for both of them. There's one racist friend I'd like to punch in the face, but I think even Grason had been an idiot before, he's finally did the right thing.
There's times when I really wanted to slap both Gray and Eli of course. But I'm glad that everything ended well in the end.
August 3, 2017
Title: Somewhere to Belong
Author: Caitlin Ricci
Series: Thornwood
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: August 7, 2017
Genre(s): Male/Male Romance
Page Count: 167 pages
Heat Level: 3.5 flames out of 5
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Review:
This is the third book in the Thornwood series. Each book is a standalone novel that connects back to a small town in Colorado, Thornwood. I did not read the first book, but I did read the second one. Although this story has characters that were in the first story, there was no issue following the story. To tell you the truth I read book two over a year ago and did not make the connection until I started writing this review. Recognizing the author as one that I enjoyed reading in the past, I jumped at the chance to read this book. My hunch was 100% correct. This book was as good if not better than any of the books that I have read by this author. Plot: Eli Walker has not felt loved in his life. He uses a hookup app to meet men for sex. Usually, he doesn’t have any repeat hookups except for Grayson. Grayson is an older black man who never makes Eli feel dirty. When Grayson starts pushing for more, Eli breaks all contact. Knowing how clingy he will become, he would rather end things before he is rejected. The chemistry between Eli and Grayson is a beautiful, caring May to December romance filled with wanting and need. This story moves along very quickly. When Grayson comes to the rescue horse ranch for a meeting with the owner he is surprised to find Eli there. Eli helps run the ranch and he loves the horses in his care. Finding Grayson in his safe space, Eli becomes worried, but not as worried as Grayson does when he sees the abuse that Eli is receiving at someone’s hands and Eli doesn’t have the willpower to keep Grayson at a distance any longer. This story had a great ending with a promise of good things to come for both characters. The only thing that I missed in this story was strong character development. We learn more about Eli than Grayson, but what we did learn only took a few sentences. I really would have liked to have an opportunity to read more about Grayson’s past.
PLOT: 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 5 Stars
PACING: 5 Stars
ENDING: 5 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 4 Stars
Review Copy of Somewhere to Belong provided by the Dreamspinner Press I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club
Author: Caitlin Ricci
Series: Thornwood
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: August 7, 2017
Genre(s): Male/Male Romance
Page Count: 167 pages
Heat Level: 3.5 flames out of 5
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
A Thornwood Novel
Needy. Obsessive. Clingy. Twenty-five-year-old Eli Walker has heard it all. That’s why he doesn’t bother calling back the guys he’s been with anymore. Sex should be about fun, not a relationship, and no one has complained about him getting overly attached in years. If only he actually felt wanted for once instead of empty and used when guys are done with him.
Grayson Pendleton is a wealthy business consultant with clients all over the world. His life is often glamorous, but it leaves him no time for a relationship, and at forty-eight, he’s starting to notice the lack of romance in his life. His only romantic connection is Eli, but they’re just two guys who have sex occasionally. It took him months to get Eli’s first name, and even now they only communicate through a hookup app.
When Grayson inherits a house in Thornwood, Colorado, it’s one more thing he doesn’t need in his life, and he knows he won’t be there enough to enjoy it. Still, the old house has the potential to be a home, and more importantly, it gives Grayson a chance to save Eli when he needs it most.
Review:
This is the third book in the Thornwood series. Each book is a standalone novel that connects back to a small town in Colorado, Thornwood. I did not read the first book, but I did read the second one. Although this story has characters that were in the first story, there was no issue following the story. To tell you the truth I read book two over a year ago and did not make the connection until I started writing this review. Recognizing the author as one that I enjoyed reading in the past, I jumped at the chance to read this book. My hunch was 100% correct. This book was as good if not better than any of the books that I have read by this author. Plot: Eli Walker has not felt loved in his life. He uses a hookup app to meet men for sex. Usually, he doesn’t have any repeat hookups except for Grayson. Grayson is an older black man who never makes Eli feel dirty. When Grayson starts pushing for more, Eli breaks all contact. Knowing how clingy he will become, he would rather end things before he is rejected. The chemistry between Eli and Grayson is a beautiful, caring May to December romance filled with wanting and need. This story moves along very quickly. When Grayson comes to the rescue horse ranch for a meeting with the owner he is surprised to find Eli there. Eli helps run the ranch and he loves the horses in his care. Finding Grayson in his safe space, Eli becomes worried, but not as worried as Grayson does when he sees the abuse that Eli is receiving at someone’s hands and Eli doesn’t have the willpower to keep Grayson at a distance any longer. This story had a great ending with a promise of good things to come for both characters. The only thing that I missed in this story was strong character development. We learn more about Eli than Grayson, but what we did learn only took a few sentences. I really would have liked to have an opportunity to read more about Grayson’s past.
PLOT: 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 5 Stars
PACING: 5 Stars
ENDING: 5 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 4 Stars
Review Copy of Somewhere to Belong provided by the Dreamspinner Press I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club
August 6, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It is a messed up situation with a happy ending.
Eli's heart is where he works. He works at an animal rescue for horses called Green Acres. This place is where he is truly his happiest because this is the place that not only saves horses but saved him also when he was younger and just graduated high school. The owner Evaline found Eli and gave him a job and a place to stay until Eli was able to get on his feet. Now this place is his happiness.
The problem is outside of Green Acres Eli does not get close to anyone. The closest he gets is meeting people on a hook up app but never getting to know them more then the wam bam that both get f on the app.
Well that is u till he meets Greyson on several occasions to hook up and Greyson starts to slowly get to know Eli better. But during this time Eli is dealing with some other issues outside of his job that is affecting his life. The Closer Greyson tried to get to Eli the harder Eli tries to push him away.
Inevitably Greyson wins the tug of war one little moment at a time. Eli finally starts to give in on getting to know one another and BAM someone from Greyson past comes in and makes trouble for both Eli and Greyson.
Can Greyson ever get Eli to fully trust that he will not hurt him and that he wants to make a life together? Or will Eli push one too many times and Greyson will walk away?
This book is a good read about doing what you love as far as a job is concerned and slowly letting that love for your job slowly slide over into the rest of your life. It is a good read about learning to trust. I can't wait till the next book comes out.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
Eli's heart is where he works. He works at an animal rescue for horses called Green Acres. This place is where he is truly his happiest because this is the place that not only saves horses but saved him also when he was younger and just graduated high school. The owner Evaline found Eli and gave him a job and a place to stay until Eli was able to get on his feet. Now this place is his happiness.
The problem is outside of Green Acres Eli does not get close to anyone. The closest he gets is meeting people on a hook up app but never getting to know them more then the wam bam that both get f on the app.
Well that is u till he meets Greyson on several occasions to hook up and Greyson starts to slowly get to know Eli better. But during this time Eli is dealing with some other issues outside of his job that is affecting his life. The Closer Greyson tried to get to Eli the harder Eli tries to push him away.
Inevitably Greyson wins the tug of war one little moment at a time. Eli finally starts to give in on getting to know one another and BAM someone from Greyson past comes in and makes trouble for both Eli and Greyson.
Can Greyson ever get Eli to fully trust that he will not hurt him and that he wants to make a life together? Or will Eli push one too many times and Greyson will walk away?
This book is a good read about doing what you love as far as a job is concerned and slowly letting that love for your job slowly slide over into the rest of your life. It is a good read about learning to trust. I can't wait till the next book comes out.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
August 6, 2017
Eli is 25 and doesn't do relationships. He has it firmly in his mind that men only want him for his body, treat him like an object not taking his feelings or needs in mind. He gets all his hookups from a sex hook up site. His first meeting he lost his virginity on the app, the guy would never return any messages leaving Eli hurt so now he guards his heart.
Grayson is a businessman with no time for a relationship. He is never in the same place more than a few days or weeks, living in hotels, so the app works great for him filling his needs. Unlike most guys with one-night hookups, he likes having his favorites in the cities he visits. Eli is one of his favorites. Grayson inherits his father's house and decides to stay there when he does get a few days off a month to save some money, and it's close to where he does meet up with Eli. When Eli shows up with bruises and beaten pretty bad that are not from a horse fall, Grayson tries to get Eli t move in with him to help watch the house while it's gone.
There are a lot of characters in the story that I disliked. BUT they were butt holes and I am sure Caitlin means for us to dislike them.They do evoke emotion! It took me a while to warm up to Eli, but eventually, I came to like him more as we learned more about him. I loved that he works at a horse rescue and would have liked more of that in the story instead of some of the sex. There is a lot of sex. I also think the story could have been shorter.
What I liked a lot is that this story deals with interracial relationships, large age gaps between two men, and gay romance. Three of my favorite sub-genres.
Grayson is a businessman with no time for a relationship. He is never in the same place more than a few days or weeks, living in hotels, so the app works great for him filling his needs. Unlike most guys with one-night hookups, he likes having his favorites in the cities he visits. Eli is one of his favorites. Grayson inherits his father's house and decides to stay there when he does get a few days off a month to save some money, and it's close to where he does meet up with Eli. When Eli shows up with bruises and beaten pretty bad that are not from a horse fall, Grayson tries to get Eli t move in with him to help watch the house while it's gone.
There are a lot of characters in the story that I disliked. BUT they were butt holes and I am sure Caitlin means for us to dislike them.They do evoke emotion! It took me a while to warm up to Eli, but eventually, I came to like him more as we learned more about him. I loved that he works at a horse rescue and would have liked more of that in the story instead of some of the sex. There is a lot of sex. I also think the story could have been shorter.
What I liked a lot is that this story deals with interracial relationships, large age gaps between two men, and gay romance. Three of my favorite sub-genres.
August 20, 2017
Somewhere to Belong, by Caitlin Ricci, Thornwood Series. Pub by Dreamspinner Press. 8/7/17.
Somehow I missed the earlier stories in this series so will backtrack. It is entirely OK to read this one first but it will certainly inspire you to read the earlier story. In this story, you will come to know and appreciate the main characters as well as principal secondary characters, slowly. 25-year old Eli is an interesting individual, devoted to his work at a horse rescue and a series of app-initiated sexual encounters. He doesn’t ask for more from life than this until change is forced upon him. He does enjoy his encounters with the 48-year-old, African American businessman, Grayson, but seems satisfied with the status quo.
Grayson, who travels for work and is only in town a few days a month, becomes interested in Eli on a more personal level but Eli is resistant to a personal relationship of any kind. We slowly peel the onion that is Eli and come to understand more about his background and the reasons for his behavior. Grayson of the Virgina Pendletons who attended Yale can't possibly be seriously interested in Eli who barely graduated from high school, or so Eli believes. Grayson’s own self-awareness develops over time as he comes to understand Eli a little better. When he identifies bruises on Eli that are unexplained by his job, Grayson is challenged to find a way to help that Eli will accept.
This is an entirely enjoyable May/December, interracial, love story involving main characters who are entirely different from each other on the basis of education, economics, race and family background. Love is love as Eli and Grayson come to appreciate entirely.
Somehow I missed the earlier stories in this series so will backtrack. It is entirely OK to read this one first but it will certainly inspire you to read the earlier story. In this story, you will come to know and appreciate the main characters as well as principal secondary characters, slowly. 25-year old Eli is an interesting individual, devoted to his work at a horse rescue and a series of app-initiated sexual encounters. He doesn’t ask for more from life than this until change is forced upon him. He does enjoy his encounters with the 48-year-old, African American businessman, Grayson, but seems satisfied with the status quo.
Grayson, who travels for work and is only in town a few days a month, becomes interested in Eli on a more personal level but Eli is resistant to a personal relationship of any kind. We slowly peel the onion that is Eli and come to understand more about his background and the reasons for his behavior. Grayson of the Virgina Pendletons who attended Yale can't possibly be seriously interested in Eli who barely graduated from high school, or so Eli believes. Grayson’s own self-awareness develops over time as he comes to understand Eli a little better. When he identifies bruises on Eli that are unexplained by his job, Grayson is challenged to find a way to help that Eli will accept.
This is an entirely enjoyable May/December, interracial, love story involving main characters who are entirely different from each other on the basis of education, economics, race and family background. Love is love as Eli and Grayson come to appreciate entirely.
June 21, 2018
I loved this book. There were some things that could be triggering for others however I loved every second of this book and could hardly put it down! The characters were dynamic the plot was intriguing and you find yourself rooting for them as you read. I didn't even notice it was #3 of a series until writing this review, so you can certainly read it without knowing the previous books. I'm looking forward to reading more work from this author!
October 5, 2017
It's rare I immediately fall in love with both MC's immediately. I usually grasp onto one and the other is a more gradual affair. In Somewhere to Belong I fell head over heels in love with both of the characters. Their personalities clashed and I wanted to hold them both.
You can see my full review here: http://christinasbookshelf.net/2017/1...
You can see my full review here: http://christinasbookshelf.net/2017/1...
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August 7, 2017review to follow
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