Touch

by Remmy Duchene

One can’t walk the path of darkness and expect to escape unscathed.

At eighteen, Foster Erickson stepped out of the closet into a world of homelessness, prostitution, and drugs. Years later, he’s pulled it together and is ready to rebuild.

Determined not to let the demons win, Foster starts university with a plan to keep others from making the same mistakes he did. The last thing he expects is Sylvester Roberts.

After years of working with his father, Sylvester decides to step out on his own. University at his age is strange, but for him, failure isn’t an option. After flunking a few tests, Sylvester’s professor assigns him a tutor—Foster Erickson. The moment they meet, Sylvester knows Foster isn’t like other guys.

As the darkness hovers and Sylvester begins falling, he will have to decide if helping Foster fight his demons will be worth it in the end.

Genres: M M Romance

137 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 2, 2018

About the author

Remmy Duchene is a Canadian-hockey-watching-baseball-playing kind of guy. He loves walking in the rain and bugging his friends about his latest story ideas. Remmy believes that true love comes in all shapes, sizes, and sexualities. He is always saying "I'd rather see two gay people in love get married than two straight people that hate each other."

Reviews

[BWT · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haphephobia (also known as aphephobia, haphophobia, hapnophobia, haptephobia, haptophobia, thixophobia) is a rare specific phobia that involves the fear of touching or of being touched.

Trigger Warning: Rape

Foster Erickson has been through hell and come out the other side. With a strong support system in place he's finally ready to begin living life. However, his fear of being touched puts a strain on his desire to be "normal" again, and he fears that it will get in the way of the relationship he wants with his classmate, Sylvester Roberts.

The story was fascinating with Foster's haphephobia driving much of the plot, but even though it was a dual POV I was left feeling like I still didn't really know the characters.

I liked how patient Sylvester was, and the hurt/comfort aspect, and I liked how the relationship between Foster and Sylvester progresses, but I felt little investment beyond that in the story.

I would have liked to see the two together more - and not even intimately, but just doing the romantic things they did off page. There were some time jumps and sometimes I felt like I was being told more than I was shown.

Not entirely a miss for me, but I definitely wanted more out of it.

2.5 Stars

Advanced Review copy of Touch provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.

This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.

[Diverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jenn for Diverse Reader

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

This is my first ever book by Remmy Duchene, but definitely not my last! I was pulled in from page one and the book never lost my attention.

Foster Erickson comes out of the closet at eighteen in a cruel world. He ends up a homeless prostitute with a drug problem. Foster is made of strong stuff and with some help, he is able to pull himself together. Foster is starting university and while not as young as most of his fellow students, this is a whole new world for him. He just wants to keep his head down and get through his days at school and then...in walks Sylvester Roberts.

Sylvester is an older student, coming to university after working for years for his father. Sylvester is in need of a tutor and is assigned to Foster. He has noticed Foster and has found himself stealing looks. As they begin to work together, Sylvester sees a darkness is Foster. That darkness doesn’t stop him from wanting to know more about Foster, wanting to be around Foster....just wanting Foster. These two will have some challenges that not every couple or even friends have to face. I love the way the author deals with these conflicts.

This book could have gone down a path that many books that start the way this one does. It doesn’t though, Remmy gives us something with a realistic look at a life lived the way Foster has had to live. It’s not sweet and easy, it’s raw and real! This one is worth taking a chance if you’re new to the author and if Remmy is a favorite....it’s one I think you’ll love.


All the pain and all the feels!!

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Foster Erickson has had some really rough years and is now in college, finally getting his life together. Foster meets Sylvester Roberts in their psychology class and is interested in the other student. The two men begin a very tentative relationship, taking into account Foster's background and his haehophobia (fear of touch).

While the plot has potential, this novella just doesn't come together for me. Both men are older adult students; Sylvester has a lot of international business experience and is about 30 years old, yet he "reads" much younger. I didn't get a strong sense of either man's personality and the relationship seems to progress with little deep meaningful interaction. Although the novella is only 137 pages, the pace felt slow to me, with a lot of similar scenes and conversation didn't flow naturally, feeling very stilted and awkward.

Touch doesn't work for me due to the "distance" between the reader and the characters - it doesn't feel personal, and there was way too much "tell" versus "show". Ultimately, I could never really picture the two men together in a healthy and happy relationship. 2.75 stars rounded up to 3 stars.

I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press, in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!

[Andyy the Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I believe this book had a lot of potential. The main characters, Sylvester and Foster find themselves with a second chance, a chance to be happy and to follow a path of their own making. Sylvester, a wealthy and successful businessman, returns to college to finally pursue the career he desires and Foster is finally getting back on his feet after having suffered an addiction and trauma.

Unfortunately all the depth that this novel hints at, both emotional and character wise is just not employed. The story takes on a perfunctory view on things due to the fact that a lot of issues are barely grazed over and there's very little emotional exploration. The author could've elaborated on a lot of things, like why did Sylvester decide to start anew in a different career, how did Foster meet Jason and what exactly happened after Foster left home. I would have much preferred a longer novel that provides a wider character arc and a more thorough narrative rather than this light and short novel. It's true that it would've been a very dark and emotional book but I believe it would have been beautifully touching and inspiring.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

This was a story that showed that when you really care and love someone that it will all work out in the end. Foster hasn’t had many good experiences since he was kicked out of his home at eighteen and is averse to being touched. Sylvester is finally doing what he wants and he can be very patient in that regard.

While I enjoyed this story and felt for the characters I didn’t feel any real connection to them, this story was more along the lines of being told what happened not shown. I couldn’t help but think that Foster was able to get over his fear quite quickly, he has been in therapy for this for years and suddenly he finds a guy he wants to sleep with and he can now work it all out, it didn’t connect for me. There were also many time jumps that we were told about what happened or that I felt didn’t line up with the timing for the fall semester at school.

I like the cover art by Kanaxa and the visual of Foster.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touch by author Remmy Duchene is a very thoughtful and emotional read. I am just gonna start with the dedication to this book, it really touched my heart. I love how thoughtful Mr. Duchene is.
Foster: he has been homeless, a prostitute and drug user. Years later though he has pulled himself out of that and gotten his life together. He starts college wants to help people like himself one day.
Foster has been through a ton in this book and before. His parents are unsupportive, judgmental, and just mean. But I loved his guts Foster is able to do what most others could not, and I admired his character for his strength.
Sylvester, he worked for his own father. Now he too is breaking away and doing something on his own. He is going to college as well. Meets Foster because Foster ends up being his tutor.
I loved these two men each is distinctly unique and has something to offer the other man to make them stronger and better people. They are determined to be better people. I loved that about them.
When you want a love story that touches the heart, I really suggest reading this one. I am huge Remmy Duchene fangirl and this book is another well done read by this author.

Recommended Read and Five Shooting Stars

[RJefferies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this story was interesting. One of the thing is, I wish it was longer. The characters were well developed. There is a bit more angst within this story than other Remmy Duchene stories, which I appreciated. There are a couple hard subjects including rape. Now, this is not shown, it was mentioned as a part of one character's background. So don't worry, nothing to really trigger you. Sylvester was a darling and it's great to see POC's in a story like this. Foster, I just wanted to hug him until be bursts. So, a little heat, a few tears, a lot of feels - I gave this story 4 stars because the author took on some things in this story that could have gone very very wrong but set it on the pages very well.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆

♡ the bookcover!

The minute I started reading this story
I was hooked .
The prologue broke my heart and that Liam omg what
a nasty piece of work!
I was relieved that all the bad stuff and dark times happend off page
I don't think I could have handle knowing the exact details
The aftermath was enough...
I loved the slow burn between the Mc's
Sly was just perfect for Foster he was patient and really
understanding .


♡
One can't walk the path of darkness
and expect to escape unscathed.

[Wax · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that the story was pretty promising in showing what this author has to offer. Foster is a product of religious parents giving up on a gay son. He spent time on the streets and has pulled himself out of that life to attend university. While taking classes, he meets a fellow student who is older, and is instantly drawn to him. I liked how the romance was a slow burn due to Foster's touch issues. However, I really wish there had been more depth to the other MC.

[Sandra Ribeiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars