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The Midwest Series #2
Push & Pull
--It was just supposed to be a road trip. But it could be so much more.--
Brent Cameron is a former college hockey player and newly out of the-closet. He has his whole future planned: a summer road trip around Lake Michigan, working to pay for grad school, and finding a guy to settle down with. Preferably, one who’s a jock like him.
With a love of sports, a flair for fashion, and a disdain for anything conventional, Lowell Prescott is out-and-proud. Burned by past relationships, he’s determined to protect his heart. Especially from jocks who want to change him.
After Brent’s travel plans are dashed by a sudden cancellation, Lowell is his only option. Tempers fly and sparks flare as the miles disappear behind them. But by the time they reach the halfway point, their animosity has too.
When the past threatens to derail the trip and the fragile relationship they’ve built, Lowell must risk heartbreak, and Brent must open himself to new possibilities to hold onto a future neither of them knew was possible.
Brent Cameron is a former college hockey player and newly out of the-closet. He has his whole future planned: a summer road trip around Lake Michigan, working to pay for grad school, and finding a guy to settle down with. Preferably, one who’s a jock like him.
With a love of sports, a flair for fashion, and a disdain for anything conventional, Lowell Prescott is out-and-proud. Burned by past relationships, he’s determined to protect his heart. Especially from jocks who want to change him.
After Brent’s travel plans are dashed by a sudden cancellation, Lowell is his only option. Tempers fly and sparks flare as the miles disappear behind them. But by the time they reach the halfway point, their animosity has too.
When the past threatens to derail the trip and the fragile relationship they’ve built, Lowell must risk heartbreak, and Brent must open himself to new possibilities to hold onto a future neither of them knew was possible.
275 pages, ebook
First published October 24, 2018
96 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Brigham Vaughn
82 books784 followersBrigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time writer. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
October 21, 2018
I enjoyed book one in this series but I loved this one. Brent and Lowell made a brilliant pair and this is an excellent frenemies to friends to lovers romance.
It's less angsty than Caleb and Nathan's relationship was and there's quite a bit of humour in the narrative too.
Essentially what the reader is given is a roadtrip romance in which two guys go through a total 180 in not only how they feel about the other, but also slowly fall in love.
I'm guessing book three in the series will be Micah and our author is going to have to go some with that redemption arc as he's an absolute dick again in this book!
We get a glimpse of Caleb and Nathan still going strong and settling into their life in Chicago.
One thing I have been wondering about in both books is the timescale. They are set in 2013 when the guys have all just finished college so it'll be interesting if Brigham is planning on bringing the series up to the present.
Overall this is a smashing series of new adult romance which feels believable.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
It's less angsty than Caleb and Nathan's relationship was and there's quite a bit of humour in the narrative too.
Essentially what the reader is given is a roadtrip romance in which two guys go through a total 180 in not only how they feel about the other, but also slowly fall in love.
I'm guessing book three in the series will be Micah and our author is going to have to go some with that redemption arc as he's an absolute dick again in this book!
We get a glimpse of Caleb and Nathan still going strong and settling into their life in Chicago.
One thing I have been wondering about in both books is the timescale. They are set in 2013 when the guys have all just finished college so it'll be interesting if Brigham is planning on bringing the series up to the present.
Overall this is a smashing series of new adult romance which feels believable.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
April 9, 2023
I forgot I never finished this series because Nathan and Caleb's book annoyed me so much, but when Lowell and Brent were mentioned a few times in the Road Rules series it intrigued me so I came back!
Definitely preferred Brent and Lowell's story, but seriously Micah is AWFUL in this series! I knew I recognised his name in the Road Rules series but I'd forgotten how much I disliked his character.
Could see it coming that Brent would be stupid too 😂 but this was entertaining and I'm starting to feel like I've visited Chicago even though I've never been!
I'm intrigued by Micah's book next because I actually quite liked him and Justin in the Road Rules series.
Definitely preferred Brent and Lowell's story, but seriously Micah is AWFUL in this series! I knew I recognised his name in the Road Rules series but I'd forgotten how much I disliked his character.
Could see it coming that Brent would be stupid too 😂 but this was entertaining and I'm starting to feel like I've visited Chicago even though I've never been!
I'm intrigued by Micah's book next because I actually quite liked him and Justin in the Road Rules series.
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April 6, 2025
It seems to be a fact, at least for Brent and Lowell, that opposites certainly do attract...and sometimes something very special develops and grows.
We first met Lowell and Brent in book #1 of this series, Bully & Exit. One, is a bit of diva and the other is a hockey player and every bit, a real jock. I liked them both from the start...although to begin with they were a bit leery of one another.
Brent had plans for a long road trip around Lake Michigan for several months, but at the last-minute, those plans slightly changed. Brent was expecting his best friend, Nathan, to accompany him on this adventure...but love had come into Nathan's life, and he didn't want to leave his new boyfriend all alone for the entire summer...so without asking, he arrives with Lowell to take his place. Brent has to either cancel the whole trip or accept Lowell's company. He accepted...how bad could it possibly be? Lowell knows nothing about camping, very little about nature, so he starts out as a reluctant traveler...but Lowell begins to grow on Brent, and despite the rocky start, they turn out to be a perfectly good match.
I loved the humor in this one; Lowell could be really snarky. Their relationship developed rather quickly but it was fun to watch it happen. The story had relatively low angst and that was also another good thing it had going for it. I have collected and read almost all of this author's stories because they mostly take place in my adopted, and well-loved state of Michigan, with locations and other things that I am more than familiar with; Western Michigan University, (my daughter graduated from there), Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, the Detroit Lions...this one even featured the two guys shopping in a Meijer store! (pronounced Meyer, it's Dutch), and my town of Battle Creek, has two of them). It was definitely a fun road trip...not just for Lowell and Brent but for me also.
We first met Lowell and Brent in book #1 of this series, Bully & Exit. One, is a bit of diva and the other is a hockey player and every bit, a real jock. I liked them both from the start...although to begin with they were a bit leery of one another.
Brent had plans for a long road trip around Lake Michigan for several months, but at the last-minute, those plans slightly changed. Brent was expecting his best friend, Nathan, to accompany him on this adventure...but love had come into Nathan's life, and he didn't want to leave his new boyfriend all alone for the entire summer...so without asking, he arrives with Lowell to take his place. Brent has to either cancel the whole trip or accept Lowell's company. He accepted...how bad could it possibly be? Lowell knows nothing about camping, very little about nature, so he starts out as a reluctant traveler...but Lowell begins to grow on Brent, and despite the rocky start, they turn out to be a perfectly good match.
I loved the humor in this one; Lowell could be really snarky. Their relationship developed rather quickly but it was fun to watch it happen. The story had relatively low angst and that was also another good thing it had going for it. I have collected and read almost all of this author's stories because they mostly take place in my adopted, and well-loved state of Michigan, with locations and other things that I am more than familiar with; Western Michigan University, (my daughter graduated from there), Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, the Detroit Lions...this one even featured the two guys shopping in a Meijer store! (pronounced Meyer, it's Dutch), and my town of Battle Creek, has two of them). It was definitely a fun road trip...not just for Lowell and Brent but for me also.
November 20, 2018
I'm super disappointed that this didn't work for me.
I wanted to love it...or at least really really like it.
No such luck.
I figured since I'm a kazoo girl this road trip would be awesome.
And I DID like the guys. Lowell and Brent were great!
So what went wrong?
It was dialogue heavy and detail heavy. Scenes were lost due to major overload of inconsequential info and I was drowning in conversations. Even the inner musings were...flashbacks or memories of monologue. I could have very easily been reading a play script. I believe at least a third of this story could be cut and it would be SO much better.
I wanted to get lost in their adventure and their connection and instead I was lost in the writing.
And Micah is a serious douchebag.
I'm a Midwest girl and wanted to give this Midwest series a fighting chance but this is it for me...I'm jumping off here.
I wanted to love it...or at least really really like it.
No such luck.
I figured since I'm a kazoo girl this road trip would be awesome.
And I DID like the guys. Lowell and Brent were great!
So what went wrong?
It was dialogue heavy and detail heavy. Scenes were lost due to major overload of inconsequential info and I was drowning in conversations. Even the inner musings were...flashbacks or memories of monologue. I could have very easily been reading a play script. I believe at least a third of this story could be cut and it would be SO much better.
I wanted to get lost in their adventure and their connection and instead I was lost in the writing.
And Micah is a serious douchebag.
I'm a Midwest girl and wanted to give this Midwest series a fighting chance but this is it for me...I'm jumping off here.
July 18, 2021
I loved this book. There was a great chemistry and so much feelings. It was really great.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2022
4 and 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed this book. I’m a big fan of Brigham Vaughn. I’ve loved almost every book of hers I read. However, the first book in this series wasn’t one of my favorites.
I love an enemies to lovers story. I especially love a slow burn. This book had both of those things. Lowell was a little prickly and it took me several chapters to warm up to him. But just like Brent I fell in love with him.
I also loved their time in Chicago. I knew every place they went and could picture them so clearly. It was like going back home.
I love an enemies to lovers story. I especially love a slow burn. This book had both of those things. Lowell was a little prickly and it took me several chapters to warm up to him. But just like Brent I fell in love with him.
I also loved their time in Chicago. I knew every place they went and could picture them so clearly. It was like going back home.
September 17, 2019
A beautiful (nearly) enemies to lovers story full of heat and heart. Semi-antagonists Lowell and Brent are on a summer road trip that starts out as tolerating each other- sometimes- and winds up with them never wanting it to end. I loved both of these side characters in the first book and it was awesome to see them get their own story told. Turn back now and read the first one to get the full effect. Lowell was an amazing character from his first appearance in book one, a force of nature. Brent was a great sidekick but I fell in love with him after getting to see inside his head. Watching him embrace coming out was truly inspiring. In truth, I adore this book more than the first and I have put it on my very rarely added to “re-read this” list so I can experience their unique journey into each other’s arms again.
November 3, 2019
“So you’re bi?” Lowell carefully backed out of the spot, surprised by Brent’s revelation.
“A little bit? If that makes sense?
It NEVER ends!
December 3, 2018
Wow just loved this one! I think it was even better than the first book of the series.. :)
June 20, 2024
I learned so much about Chicago and it’s landmark
October 24, 2018
Brent and Lowell. Boy did these two young men take me for an emotional ride. One moment I’d find myself wanting to smash their heads together only to wish I could wrap both of them up in cotton wool and shelter them from pain the next. This isn’t quite friends to lovers, since they only vaguely knew each other before their road trip. It’s definitely not enemies to lovers, although these two do have their moments of hostility. It is most definitely a coming of age story, a tale about growing up and in the process, overcoming long held issues.
The road trip which was Brent’s long-held dream, is off to a very bad start when his best friend, Nathan, tells him he won’t be coming along at literally the last possible moment. The fact that Lowell is more than willing to take Nathan’s place, and thus ensure that Brent doesn’t have to cancel his dream trip, does little to put a damper on Brent’s hurt feelings, or to stop from lashing out against Lowell.
Lowell appears so carefree he comes across as almost obnoxious at times. It takes a while before we (and Brent) realize that his bravado only thinly veils some deeply held insecurities on his part. In fact, it turns out that both Brent and Lowell have one or two issues they need to deal with if they’re ever going to get together. Their personal journey comes with ups and downs—two steps forward followed by one step back, as both young men slowly learn to trust both each other and themselves.
And all of that is set against a wonderful road trip around Lake Michigan. I loved their journey and the opportunity it gave me to ‘see’ a part of the world I’ve never visited. In fact, the road trip was, for me, almost as captivating as the personal journeys Brent and Lowell undertook.
Push & Pull is a wonderful story about growing up, embracing who you are, and learning to trust both yourself and the person you’re falling for. It is such a wonderful description of that time when we leave our ‘childhood’ behind and take our first steps on our adult journey. While there were times when I despaired of both Brent and Lowell, I can honestly say that their journey enthralled me and I found myself cheering them on every step of their way.
I can’t end this review without mentioning Micah. To say he’s a nasty and selfish piece of work in this story would be a gross understatement. He’s so comfortable in his own miserable existence he tries to drag those around him down to his level. If you want to know whether or not his succeeds in that objective, you’ll have to read Push & Pull. As for me, I can’t wait to see how he may or may not redeem himself in the next book in this series. I imagine some serious groveling will be involved, but I may be wrong. What I know for sure is that Brigham Vaughn will undoubtedly turn it into another unforgettable tale.
The road trip which was Brent’s long-held dream, is off to a very bad start when his best friend, Nathan, tells him he won’t be coming along at literally the last possible moment. The fact that Lowell is more than willing to take Nathan’s place, and thus ensure that Brent doesn’t have to cancel his dream trip, does little to put a damper on Brent’s hurt feelings, or to stop from lashing out against Lowell.
Lowell appears so carefree he comes across as almost obnoxious at times. It takes a while before we (and Brent) realize that his bravado only thinly veils some deeply held insecurities on his part. In fact, it turns out that both Brent and Lowell have one or two issues they need to deal with if they’re ever going to get together. Their personal journey comes with ups and downs—two steps forward followed by one step back, as both young men slowly learn to trust both each other and themselves.
And all of that is set against a wonderful road trip around Lake Michigan. I loved their journey and the opportunity it gave me to ‘see’ a part of the world I’ve never visited. In fact, the road trip was, for me, almost as captivating as the personal journeys Brent and Lowell undertook.
Push & Pull is a wonderful story about growing up, embracing who you are, and learning to trust both yourself and the person you’re falling for. It is such a wonderful description of that time when we leave our ‘childhood’ behind and take our first steps on our adult journey. While there were times when I despaired of both Brent and Lowell, I can honestly say that their journey enthralled me and I found myself cheering them on every step of their way.
I can’t end this review without mentioning Micah. To say he’s a nasty and selfish piece of work in this story would be a gross understatement. He’s so comfortable in his own miserable existence he tries to drag those around him down to his level. If you want to know whether or not his succeeds in that objective, you’ll have to read Push & Pull. As for me, I can’t wait to see how he may or may not redeem himself in the next book in this series. I imagine some serious groveling will be involved, but I may be wrong. What I know for sure is that Brigham Vaughn will undoubtedly turn it into another unforgettable tale.
November 2, 2018
I really enjoyed this sassy story! Lowell is unapologetically forward but loyal and pretty much fabulous. I liked how much he was himself without worrying about what others think. I really think the author did a great job of showing a realistic representation of Brent as a recently out jock. It was nice to see Brent's growth as a comfortable gay man throughout the story.
With the setting of this story, we get to see Lowell and Brent in many different situations. I appreciated this because it helped build their relationship even with they were arguing. One thing that I really wanted to see was Brent being a little more tongue-tied in front of Lowell like he was in book one. I think that with the circumstances of this book, it makes sense with how Lowell and Brent were pushed together but I do wish we got the deer in headlights Brent around Lowell because it was pretty cute.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
With the setting of this story, we get to see Lowell and Brent in many different situations. I appreciated this because it helped build their relationship even with they were arguing. One thing that I really wanted to see was Brent being a little more tongue-tied in front of Lowell like he was in book one. I think that with the circumstances of this book, it makes sense with how Lowell and Brent were pushed together but I do wish we got the deer in headlights Brent around Lowell because it was pretty cute.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
July 31, 2021
Fun road trip story
Definitely liked Lowell and Brent’s story more than Nathan and Caleb. Brent is kind of a jerk in the beginning, but Lowell pushes back, and Brent apologizes and does better. Sweet pairing and a fun story. I have serious hesitation about reading Micah’s HEA though as he seems on another level of jerk for how he treated Lowell.
Definitely liked Lowell and Brent’s story more than Nathan and Caleb. Brent is kind of a jerk in the beginning, but Lowell pushes back, and Brent apologizes and does better. Sweet pairing and a fun story. I have serious hesitation about reading Micah’s HEA though as he seems on another level of jerk for how he treated Lowell.
July 19, 2020
Push & Pull is the second book in the Midwest series by Brigham Vaughn. This book was even better as the first. I really liked Brent and Lowell.
July 13, 2020
A road trip Brent has dreamed of for years is at his fingertips or rather was, because his best friend who was supposed to go with him changes his mind and decides to stay with his boyfriend. The fact that the solution Brent was given is his only option doesn't help the whole situation. He has no other choice but to agree and go with Lowell, a guy who represents everything Brent had to resist for years, namely being openly gay. Slowly between Brent and Lowell some deeper feelings start to bloom, but they are quickly put to the test.
"Push & Pull", the second volume in "The Midwest Series" by Brigham Vaughn, is a novel I have been waiting for from the moment I met the two characters, Lowell and Brent, for the first time in the previous installment of the series. The tension between them is immediate, but in this sweet, funny way that we can't resist. And all because Lowell and Brent differ from each other in many ways, although in my opinion the most important is the fact that a confident athlete unexpectedly turns out to be a bit shy when it comes to our flamboyant Lowell. As the story presented in this volume moves forward, it turns out that both characters have a lot more to offer as there's more to them than meets the eye. Both of them hide their sensitive souls, childlike curiosity or complicated family relationships beneath the exterior of a tough and confident person. Lowell and Brent have conquered my heart in the first volume of the series and, to be honest, in this installment they are equally amazing, so if possible I love them even more than before.
As for the story the author tells us in this volume, it is undoubtedly interesting, sometimes sweet, sometimes serious, and above all different than I expected. I will be totally honest with you, before reading "Push & Pull" I expected a kind of a road novel. I thought Brent and Lowell would be traveling around the country and learning more about the places they would be visiting while also getting to know each other. But the plot of this novel looks a bit different, because although the boys actually travel and explore a little while getting to know each other, their adventure ends quite quickly. And all because the story unexpectedly becomes more serious when Micah-the-Villain reappears in our characters' lives. And this guy knows how to make a mess! Because of him Lowell and Brent's story takes an 180 degree turn. I admit, the author surprised me with this plot twist. I thought the novel would focus on the road trip, but in reality the third person's personal drama suddenly pulls our main characters into its vortex. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing, but it certainly was unexpected.
Old friendship vs. new feeling is an extremely interesting motif, which the author presents in her novel in a truly unique way. I think in this case it is important that the "old friend" is someone Brent and Lowell know quite well, but their relationship with this person is completely different. This fact complicates the whole situation which our main characters unexpectedly have to face. This case is not about the usual dilemma that probably every person being in a new relationship struggles with – spending time with a boyfriend/girlfriend vs. spending time with a best friend. To this popular motif, the author adds some health problems, old relationships, bullying, apologizing, feelings that haven't really had time to develop yet. From a seemingly simple topic, Brigham Vaughn created something great, serious, deep and truly fascinating. The reader is really involved in the characters' problems, experiences them as if the characters were someone close to them, a friend, and this is a huge advantage of this story.
Taking the first step after coming out of the closet is yet another very interesting topic raised in the novel. I really liked the fact that the author showed Brent as a chick who follows the hen, Lowell, and learns to function in this world full of new, amazing things. The way Brent devours with his whole being all new things, all that he had to avoid to hide his sexual orientation is simply charming. The world around him has not changed just because Brent had openly admitted his orientation, but to him it seems completely different, full of surprises and unexplored places. The way in which this character was built sometimes reminds me of a child, who is full of innocence and natural curiosity. I really liked it. Even more so as these features perfectly match Brent we met in the first volume, who was blushing and stuttering when he was talking to Lowell. So how can we not love this guy?
In summary, "Push & Pull" is a really good novel, strongly addictive, interesting, full of deep, serious subjects. Reading it, we experience the same emotions as those of the main characters, with whom we fall in love in the blink of an eye. This novel is really worth reading.
______________________
Podroż o której Brent marzył od lat i od której dzielą go zaledwie minuty staje pod znakiem zapytania, kiedy jego najlepszy przyjaciel postanawia z niej zrezygnować i zostać ze swoim chłopakiem. Sytuacji nie pomaga fakt, iż rozwiązanie jakie mu zaproponowano jest jego jedyną opcją, więc ciężko mówić o jakimkolwiek wyborze z jego strony. Brent zabiera więc ze sobą Lowella, chłopaka, który reprezentuje sobą to, przed czym Brent przez lata musiał uciekać – nieukrywany przed nikim homoseksualizm. Między młodymi mężczyznami powoli rozkwitają głębsze uczucia, które szybko zostają wystawione na próbę.
„Push & Pull”, drugi tom „The Midwest Series” autorstwa Brigham Vaughn, to powieść, której nie mogłam się doczekać już w chwili, kiedy dwójka bohaterów, Lowell i Brent, pojawiła się w poprzedniej odsłonie serii. Między nimi od razu zaiskrzyło, ale w ten słodki, zabawny sposób,
któremu nie można się oprzeć. A wszystko dlatego, że Lowell i Brent różnią się od siebie pod wieloma względami, z czego najistotniejszy jest moim zdaniem fakt, iż pewny siebie sportowiec okazuje się niespodziewanie osobą trochę nieśmiałą, gdy w grę wchodzi rzucający się w oczy Lowell. W miarę, jak historia przedstawiona w tym tomie posuwa się do przodu, okazuje się, że obaj bohaterowie mają do zaoferowania o wiele więcej, niż początkowo się wydaje. Obaj bowiem ukrywają swoje wrażliwe dusze, dziecięcą ciekawość, czy też skomplikowane relacje rodzinne pod zewnętrzną powłoką twardej, pewnej siebie osoby. Lowell i Brent skradli moje serce w pierwszym tomie serii i prawdę mówiąc w tej odsłonie również nie zawodzą, a jeśli to możliwe to kocham ich jeszcze mocniej.
Co się zaś tyczy historii przedstawionej w tym tomie, jest ona niewątpliwie interesująca, miejscami słodka, innym razem poważna, a przede wszystkim inna, niż się tego spodziewałam. Nie będę ukrywać, że sięgając po „Push & Pull” spodziewałam się swojego rodzaju „powieści drogi”. Sądziłam, że Brent i Lowell będą podróżować po kraju i poznawać go jednocześnie poznając także siebie nawzajem. W rzeczywistości wygląda to trochę inaczej, bo chociaż chłopcy rzeczywiście trochę podróżują i zwiedzają przy okazji poznając siebie nawzajem, to jednak ich przygoda dosyć szybko się kończy. A wszystko dlatego, że niespodziewanie historia staje się bardziej poważna, kiedy na nowo w życiu bohaterów pojawia się Micah-Czarny-Charakter. Ten to potrafi namieszać! To właśnie za jego sprawą historia Lowella i Brenta wykonuje obrót o 180 stopni. Nie ukrywam, że właśnie tym autorka mnie zaskoczyła. Sądziłam, że powieść skupi się na podróży, a tymczasem nagle pojawiają się osobiste dramaty osoby trzeciej, które wciągają w swój wir naszych głównych bohaterów. To dobrze czy źle? Nie wiem, ale na pewno było to niespodziewane.
Stara przyjaźń vs. nowe uczucie to motyw niezwykle interesujący, który autorka ukazuje w swojej powieści w sposób naprawdę wyjątkowy. Uważam, że istotny jest w tym wypadku fakt, iż wspomniany „stary przyjaciel” to ktoś, kogo doskonale znają zarówno Brent, jak i Lowell, jednakże ich relacje z nim są zupełnie inne. To bardzo komplikuje sytuację, w jakiej niespodziewanie znajdują się nasi główni bohaterowie. W tym wypadku nie chodzi o zwykłe dylematy, z którymi zmaga się chyba każda osoba będąca w nowym związku, czyli spędzanie czasu z chłopakiem/dziewczyną vs. spędzanie czasu z przyjacielem/przyjaciółką. Autorka dorzuca do tego motywu problemy zdrowotne, dawne związki, nękanie, uczucie, które nie miało jeszcze czasu się tak naprawdę rozwinąć. Z tematu pozornie prostego, Brigham Vaughn stworzyła coś wielkiego, poważnego, głębokiego i naprawdę fascynującego. Czytelnik czuje się naprawdę zaangażowany w problemy bohaterów, przeżywa je, jakby chodziło o kogoś im bliskiego, przyjaciela, a to ogromna zaleta.
Bardzo interesującym tematem podjętym w powieści jest również stawianie pierwszych kroków po wyjściu z szafy. Naprawdę podobało mi się to, że autorka ukazała Brenta jako pisklę, które chodząc krok w krok za kwoką, Lowellem, uczy się funkcjonować w pełnym zadziwiających, nowych rzeczy świecie. Sposób, w jaki Brent całym sobą chłonie każdą nowość, wszystko to czego musiał unikać aby jego orientacja seksualna nie wyszła na jaw jest po prostu uroczy. Świat tak naprawdę nie zmienił się tylko dlatego, że Brent otwarcie zaczął przyznawać się do swojej orientacji, ale mimo to wydaje mu się on zupełnie inny, pełen niespodzianek i nieodkrytych dotąd miejsc. Budowa tego bohatera naprawdę przywodzi nam czasami na myśl dziecko, pełne niewinności, wrodzonej ciekawości. Naprawdę bardzo mi się to spodobało. Tym bardziej, że te cechy idealnie pasują do Brenta, którego poznaliśmy już w pierwszym tomie, a który potrafił się rumienić i jąkać kiedy rozmawiał z Lowellem. I jak tu go nie kochać?
Podsumowując, „Push & Pull” to naprawdę dobra powieść, niezwykle wciągająca, interesująca, pełna głębokich, poważnych treści. Czytając ją, przeżywamy to samo, co wspaniali główni bohaterowie, w których zakochujemy się w mgnieniu oka. Tę powieść naprawdę warto przeczytać.
"Push & Pull", the second volume in "The Midwest Series" by Brigham Vaughn, is a novel I have been waiting for from the moment I met the two characters, Lowell and Brent, for the first time in the previous installment of the series. The tension between them is immediate, but in this sweet, funny way that we can't resist. And all because Lowell and Brent differ from each other in many ways, although in my opinion the most important is the fact that a confident athlete unexpectedly turns out to be a bit shy when it comes to our flamboyant Lowell. As the story presented in this volume moves forward, it turns out that both characters have a lot more to offer as there's more to them than meets the eye. Both of them hide their sensitive souls, childlike curiosity or complicated family relationships beneath the exterior of a tough and confident person. Lowell and Brent have conquered my heart in the first volume of the series and, to be honest, in this installment they are equally amazing, so if possible I love them even more than before.
As for the story the author tells us in this volume, it is undoubtedly interesting, sometimes sweet, sometimes serious, and above all different than I expected. I will be totally honest with you, before reading "Push & Pull" I expected a kind of a road novel. I thought Brent and Lowell would be traveling around the country and learning more about the places they would be visiting while also getting to know each other. But the plot of this novel looks a bit different, because although the boys actually travel and explore a little while getting to know each other, their adventure ends quite quickly. And all because the story unexpectedly becomes more serious when Micah-the-Villain reappears in our characters' lives. And this guy knows how to make a mess! Because of him Lowell and Brent's story takes an 180 degree turn. I admit, the author surprised me with this plot twist. I thought the novel would focus on the road trip, but in reality the third person's personal drama suddenly pulls our main characters into its vortex. I don't know if it's a good or bad thing, but it certainly was unexpected.
Old friendship vs. new feeling is an extremely interesting motif, which the author presents in her novel in a truly unique way. I think in this case it is important that the "old friend" is someone Brent and Lowell know quite well, but their relationship with this person is completely different. This fact complicates the whole situation which our main characters unexpectedly have to face. This case is not about the usual dilemma that probably every person being in a new relationship struggles with – spending time with a boyfriend/girlfriend vs. spending time with a best friend. To this popular motif, the author adds some health problems, old relationships, bullying, apologizing, feelings that haven't really had time to develop yet. From a seemingly simple topic, Brigham Vaughn created something great, serious, deep and truly fascinating. The reader is really involved in the characters' problems, experiences them as if the characters were someone close to them, a friend, and this is a huge advantage of this story.
Taking the first step after coming out of the closet is yet another very interesting topic raised in the novel. I really liked the fact that the author showed Brent as a chick who follows the hen, Lowell, and learns to function in this world full of new, amazing things. The way Brent devours with his whole being all new things, all that he had to avoid to hide his sexual orientation is simply charming. The world around him has not changed just because Brent had openly admitted his orientation, but to him it seems completely different, full of surprises and unexplored places. The way in which this character was built sometimes reminds me of a child, who is full of innocence and natural curiosity. I really liked it. Even more so as these features perfectly match Brent we met in the first volume, who was blushing and stuttering when he was talking to Lowell. So how can we not love this guy?
In summary, "Push & Pull" is a really good novel, strongly addictive, interesting, full of deep, serious subjects. Reading it, we experience the same emotions as those of the main characters, with whom we fall in love in the blink of an eye. This novel is really worth reading.
______________________
Podroż o której Brent marzył od lat i od której dzielą go zaledwie minuty staje pod znakiem zapytania, kiedy jego najlepszy przyjaciel postanawia z niej zrezygnować i zostać ze swoim chłopakiem. Sytuacji nie pomaga fakt, iż rozwiązanie jakie mu zaproponowano jest jego jedyną opcją, więc ciężko mówić o jakimkolwiek wyborze z jego strony. Brent zabiera więc ze sobą Lowella, chłopaka, który reprezentuje sobą to, przed czym Brent przez lata musiał uciekać – nieukrywany przed nikim homoseksualizm. Między młodymi mężczyznami powoli rozkwitają głębsze uczucia, które szybko zostają wystawione na próbę.
„Push & Pull”, drugi tom „The Midwest Series” autorstwa Brigham Vaughn, to powieść, której nie mogłam się doczekać już w chwili, kiedy dwójka bohaterów, Lowell i Brent, pojawiła się w poprzedniej odsłonie serii. Między nimi od razu zaiskrzyło, ale w ten słodki, zabawny sposób,
któremu nie można się oprzeć. A wszystko dlatego, że Lowell i Brent różnią się od siebie pod wieloma względami, z czego najistotniejszy jest moim zdaniem fakt, iż pewny siebie sportowiec okazuje się niespodziewanie osobą trochę nieśmiałą, gdy w grę wchodzi rzucający się w oczy Lowell. W miarę, jak historia przedstawiona w tym tomie posuwa się do przodu, okazuje się, że obaj bohaterowie mają do zaoferowania o wiele więcej, niż początkowo się wydaje. Obaj bowiem ukrywają swoje wrażliwe dusze, dziecięcą ciekawość, czy też skomplikowane relacje rodzinne pod zewnętrzną powłoką twardej, pewnej siebie osoby. Lowell i Brent skradli moje serce w pierwszym tomie serii i prawdę mówiąc w tej odsłonie również nie zawodzą, a jeśli to możliwe to kocham ich jeszcze mocniej.
Co się zaś tyczy historii przedstawionej w tym tomie, jest ona niewątpliwie interesująca, miejscami słodka, innym razem poważna, a przede wszystkim inna, niż się tego spodziewałam. Nie będę ukrywać, że sięgając po „Push & Pull” spodziewałam się swojego rodzaju „powieści drogi”. Sądziłam, że Brent i Lowell będą podróżować po kraju i poznawać go jednocześnie poznając także siebie nawzajem. W rzeczywistości wygląda to trochę inaczej, bo chociaż chłopcy rzeczywiście trochę podróżują i zwiedzają przy okazji poznając siebie nawzajem, to jednak ich przygoda dosyć szybko się kończy. A wszystko dlatego, że niespodziewanie historia staje się bardziej poważna, kiedy na nowo w życiu bohaterów pojawia się Micah-Czarny-Charakter. Ten to potrafi namieszać! To właśnie za jego sprawą historia Lowella i Brenta wykonuje obrót o 180 stopni. Nie ukrywam, że właśnie tym autorka mnie zaskoczyła. Sądziłam, że powieść skupi się na podróży, a tymczasem nagle pojawiają się osobiste dramaty osoby trzeciej, które wciągają w swój wir naszych głównych bohaterów. To dobrze czy źle? Nie wiem, ale na pewno było to niespodziewane.
Stara przyjaźń vs. nowe uczucie to motyw niezwykle interesujący, który autorka ukazuje w swojej powieści w sposób naprawdę wyjątkowy. Uważam, że istotny jest w tym wypadku fakt, iż wspomniany „stary przyjaciel” to ktoś, kogo doskonale znają zarówno Brent, jak i Lowell, jednakże ich relacje z nim są zupełnie inne. To bardzo komplikuje sytuację, w jakiej niespodziewanie znajdują się nasi główni bohaterowie. W tym wypadku nie chodzi o zwykłe dylematy, z którymi zmaga się chyba każda osoba będąca w nowym związku, czyli spędzanie czasu z chłopakiem/dziewczyną vs. spędzanie czasu z przyjacielem/przyjaciółką. Autorka dorzuca do tego motywu problemy zdrowotne, dawne związki, nękanie, uczucie, które nie miało jeszcze czasu się tak naprawdę rozwinąć. Z tematu pozornie prostego, Brigham Vaughn stworzyła coś wielkiego, poważnego, głębokiego i naprawdę fascynującego. Czytelnik czuje się naprawdę zaangażowany w problemy bohaterów, przeżywa je, jakby chodziło o kogoś im bliskiego, przyjaciela, a to ogromna zaleta.
Bardzo interesującym tematem podjętym w powieści jest również stawianie pierwszych kroków po wyjściu z szafy. Naprawdę podobało mi się to, że autorka ukazała Brenta jako pisklę, które chodząc krok w krok za kwoką, Lowellem, uczy się funkcjonować w pełnym zadziwiających, nowych rzeczy świecie. Sposób, w jaki Brent całym sobą chłonie każdą nowość, wszystko to czego musiał unikać aby jego orientacja seksualna nie wyszła na jaw jest po prostu uroczy. Świat tak naprawdę nie zmienił się tylko dlatego, że Brent otwarcie zaczął przyznawać się do swojej orientacji, ale mimo to wydaje mu się on zupełnie inny, pełen niespodzianek i nieodkrytych dotąd miejsc. Budowa tego bohatera naprawdę przywodzi nam czasami na myśl dziecko, pełne niewinności, wrodzonej ciekawości. Naprawdę bardzo mi się to spodobało. Tym bardziej, że te cechy idealnie pasują do Brenta, którego poznaliśmy już w pierwszym tomie, a który potrafił się rumienić i jąkać kiedy rozmawiał z Lowellem. I jak tu go nie kochać?
Podsumowując, „Push & Pull” to naprawdę dobra powieść, niezwykle wciągająca, interesująca, pełna głębokich, poważnych treści. Czytając ją, przeżywamy to samo, co wspaniali główni bohaterowie, w których zakochujemy się w mgnieniu oka. Tę powieść naprawdę warto przeczytać.
October 24, 2018
Brent and Nathan have been long planning on a final summer vacation after graduation but at the last minute Nathan decides he needs to spend the summer with his boyfriend, Caleb. Furious, Brent sees his summer plans and money slipping away but Nathan and Caleb have a backup plan: Lowell Prescott. Angry but unwilling to lose everything he already stuck into the trip, Brent agrees and off the two virtual strangers go. Will a road trip around Lake Michigan be what Brent was hoping or will it be a disaster? And will these two go from strangers to more or will they go their seperate ways once the summer is over?
I absolutely fell in love with Lowell(and Brent but not as deeply) in Bully & Exit and was hoping he'd get his own story. Now as much as I would have loved to read their journey sooner than 3+ years, I would never expect an author to bring a story to print before they are ready. Lets face it, to us readers characters are just that, characters, but to authors they are real voices and if they aren't ready to tell the writer their story than the author has to respect that. So three days or three years matters not to me, Lowell and Brent were finally ready to tell Brigham Vaughn their story and now we get to enjoy it too😉😉. So onto Push & Pull.
These days I have only one daily guilty pleasure and that is to watch one soap opera, the British made Emmerdale and on there is a character who has spent years looking for someone who can make her rich quick but this past year she finally found someone who showed her more than "rich quick". I mention this because of the way I am always describing the partner: "Vanessa is the perfect blend of snark and cuddle to keep Charity on her toes". Well, that is the best way I can describe Lowell and Brent too: snark and cuddle. Neither men are looking for that something or someone special but in each other they find that blend of snark and cuddle that helps put all the pieces in place.
I won't say any more because the truth is, you really do need to experience their journey to fully appreciate the characters and the story as a whole. I will say that I found Push & Pull to be less angsty than Bully & Exit but no less entertaining. Watching both Lowell and Brent learn to give and take, was frankly just pure fun, that's not to say there is no drama because there is its just not only drama. Some might have seen Lowell as the "comic relief" in Bully and he definitely brings humor to their summer road trip but we get to learn there is more to him than he lets people see which is why I think the blend of drama, humor, friendship, and love is pretty darn near perfect.
Do you need to read Bully & Exit first? Probably not. Will you be lost if you start with Push & Pull? No. Do I personally recommend reading book one first? Yes. There are some points that are mentioned or referred to from Bully that I just felt the whole story flowed together better having known Nathan and Caleb's journey first. But as Push is Lowell and Brent's journey than no you won't be missing huge chunks that don't make sense if you start here.
I will finish by saying I am missing these intriguing fellows already. Brigham Vaughn's Midwest series may not make my annual re-read list but they won't get too dusty waiting to be revisited. I may live on the opposite side of Wisconsin but having a book with some "local flair" is always a huge treat for me and just added a little something more to connect with.
I absolutely fell in love with Lowell(and Brent but not as deeply) in Bully & Exit and was hoping he'd get his own story. Now as much as I would have loved to read their journey sooner than 3+ years, I would never expect an author to bring a story to print before they are ready. Lets face it, to us readers characters are just that, characters, but to authors they are real voices and if they aren't ready to tell the writer their story than the author has to respect that. So three days or three years matters not to me, Lowell and Brent were finally ready to tell Brigham Vaughn their story and now we get to enjoy it too😉😉. So onto Push & Pull.
These days I have only one daily guilty pleasure and that is to watch one soap opera, the British made Emmerdale and on there is a character who has spent years looking for someone who can make her rich quick but this past year she finally found someone who showed her more than "rich quick". I mention this because of the way I am always describing the partner: "Vanessa is the perfect blend of snark and cuddle to keep Charity on her toes". Well, that is the best way I can describe Lowell and Brent too: snark and cuddle. Neither men are looking for that something or someone special but in each other they find that blend of snark and cuddle that helps put all the pieces in place.
I won't say any more because the truth is, you really do need to experience their journey to fully appreciate the characters and the story as a whole. I will say that I found Push & Pull to be less angsty than Bully & Exit but no less entertaining. Watching both Lowell and Brent learn to give and take, was frankly just pure fun, that's not to say there is no drama because there is its just not only drama. Some might have seen Lowell as the "comic relief" in Bully and he definitely brings humor to their summer road trip but we get to learn there is more to him than he lets people see which is why I think the blend of drama, humor, friendship, and love is pretty darn near perfect.
Do you need to read Bully & Exit first? Probably not. Will you be lost if you start with Push & Pull? No. Do I personally recommend reading book one first? Yes. There are some points that are mentioned or referred to from Bully that I just felt the whole story flowed together better having known Nathan and Caleb's journey first. But as Push is Lowell and Brent's journey than no you won't be missing huge chunks that don't make sense if you start here.
I will finish by saying I am missing these intriguing fellows already. Brigham Vaughn's Midwest series may not make my annual re-read list but they won't get too dusty waiting to be revisited. I may live on the opposite side of Wisconsin but having a book with some "local flair" is always a huge treat for me and just added a little something more to connect with.
October 31, 2018
Brent and Lowell were wonderful characters in the first book, but as you get to know them more in this one, you understand them more. Brent, while wanting a relationship, has put up with Micah, who is a very unlikeable person, because he wants a more meaningful connection. After graduation, he goes on a road trip with Lowell, who is completely fine without a relationship. As they take a road trip, one Nathan was supposed to go on but opted out to spend time with Caleb, both Lowell and Brent get to know each other, despite believing that sleeping together one night was a mistake, they grow closer. This is a great story of how these two men got to know one another and fell in love. There was more of a connection and a development between the two men that I appreciated in this book. A good read!
October 28, 2018
It doesn't happen often where the second book in a series is preferred to the first but this book is, for me, more complete and overall enjoyable.
This story sees Brent and Lowell, Nathan and Caleb's best friends from book 1, head off on a summer road trip around Lake Michigan. It starts out a little rough as it was supposed to be Nathan and Brent but his blossoming relationship with Caleb needs to be put first and Lowell volunteers. What then ensures is a building friendship with stumbling blocks along the way from inexperience, misconceptions and presumptions. It makes for wonderful reading alongside a trip that takes in some fantastic sites that Brigham Vaughn is fantastic at writing! I've never been to the US but the city and state parks were described as places of wonder and I could easily imagine them as places our MC's visited and explored.
The two men we only got glimpses at before become so much more and we hear their history and experiences as they share with each other whilst taking their trip. Their interactions come across very naturally. not forced in any way. I could easily see the eye rolls and secret smiles that would be occurring. The way in which their relationship developed stayed true to the characters, especially Lowell and his fears. You're constantly rooting for what we want to happen and that HEA but the route they travel allows us to experience the necessary highs and lows. A favourite scene of mine is on the ice rink whilst they are staying in Chicago. It's not this big milestone moment but something that both men get to share and enjoy, and it shines through in the writing.
I was fully engaged from the start and needing to know what was going to happen next. We get the occasional pop up from Nathan and Caleb but we are mostly focused on Brent and Lowell but it never feels like they get sick of each other. There are times where a day or two is glossed over but as it wasn't necessary to the story it flowed really well.
This series has just gotten better for me and I'm hoping for Micah's story next!
I received an ARC from the publisher for review and am happily giving a review.
This story sees Brent and Lowell, Nathan and Caleb's best friends from book 1, head off on a summer road trip around Lake Michigan. It starts out a little rough as it was supposed to be Nathan and Brent but his blossoming relationship with Caleb needs to be put first and Lowell volunteers. What then ensures is a building friendship with stumbling blocks along the way from inexperience, misconceptions and presumptions. It makes for wonderful reading alongside a trip that takes in some fantastic sites that Brigham Vaughn is fantastic at writing! I've never been to the US but the city and state parks were described as places of wonder and I could easily imagine them as places our MC's visited and explored.
The two men we only got glimpses at before become so much more and we hear their history and experiences as they share with each other whilst taking their trip. Their interactions come across very naturally. not forced in any way. I could easily see the eye rolls and secret smiles that would be occurring. The way in which their relationship developed stayed true to the characters, especially Lowell and his fears. You're constantly rooting for what we want to happen and that HEA but the route they travel allows us to experience the necessary highs and lows. A favourite scene of mine is on the ice rink whilst they are staying in Chicago. It's not this big milestone moment but something that both men get to share and enjoy, and it shines through in the writing.
I was fully engaged from the start and needing to know what was going to happen next. We get the occasional pop up from Nathan and Caleb but we are mostly focused on Brent and Lowell but it never feels like they get sick of each other. There are times where a day or two is glossed over but as it wasn't necessary to the story it flowed really well.
This series has just gotten better for me and I'm hoping for Micah's story next!
I received an ARC from the publisher for review and am happily giving a review.
September 20, 2019
A great continuation in this college series.
Brent is one of Nathan's friends (formerly with benifts) and hockey teammate.
Now that they've graduated, they had plans on a summer long road trip.
Plans go awry because Nathan and Caleb have just recently gotten back together
(Bully and Exit) and are moving in together in Chicago so he fears them being apart for a prolonged period of time.
Lowell is Caleb's best friend and he's had a crush on Brent all throughout school.
He meddeles and inserts himself as a replacement for Nathan, much to Brent's disappointment and ire.
They spend the beginning of the trip as close to enemies as possible.
Things change when they give in to temptation and end up spending a passionate night together.
That's when things get complicated.
Brent is only recently out and finds himself suddenly afloat in a new world he doesn't truly know how to navigate along with some heterosexual misconceptions.
He's having trouble reconciling his attraction to Lowell who's very flamboyant and proud.
Lowell for his part, fears relationships because he was secretly in one with a very closeted baseball player, Micah who just happens to have secretly dated Brent as well.
As a result he's become entrenched in playing the field and dealing with the fallout of his failed relationship with Micah who wanted to keep him as a secret and lashed out when Lowell dumped him.
As they spend the summer getting to know one another, they become closer, especially after dealing with Lowell's family.
They begin to see a different side to one another and find themselves falling in love.
When Micah has a medical scare, Brent rushes to his side as his only friend, much to the detriment of Lowell.
This could have ended everything between them, but they both decided the other was worth fighting for.
These boys HEA was hard fought for and well deserved.
I can't wait for Micah's story.
Brent is one of Nathan's friends (formerly with benifts) and hockey teammate.
Now that they've graduated, they had plans on a summer long road trip.
Plans go awry because Nathan and Caleb have just recently gotten back together
(Bully and Exit) and are moving in together in Chicago so he fears them being apart for a prolonged period of time.
Lowell is Caleb's best friend and he's had a crush on Brent all throughout school.
He meddeles and inserts himself as a replacement for Nathan, much to Brent's disappointment and ire.
They spend the beginning of the trip as close to enemies as possible.
Things change when they give in to temptation and end up spending a passionate night together.
That's when things get complicated.
Brent is only recently out and finds himself suddenly afloat in a new world he doesn't truly know how to navigate along with some heterosexual misconceptions.
He's having trouble reconciling his attraction to Lowell who's very flamboyant and proud.
Lowell for his part, fears relationships because he was secretly in one with a very closeted baseball player, Micah who just happens to have secretly dated Brent as well.
As a result he's become entrenched in playing the field and dealing with the fallout of his failed relationship with Micah who wanted to keep him as a secret and lashed out when Lowell dumped him.
As they spend the summer getting to know one another, they become closer, especially after dealing with Lowell's family.
They begin to see a different side to one another and find themselves falling in love.
When Micah has a medical scare, Brent rushes to his side as his only friend, much to the detriment of Lowell.
This could have ended everything between them, but they both decided the other was worth fighting for.
These boys HEA was hard fought for and well deserved.
I can't wait for Micah's story.
October 22, 2018
Brent is looking forward to his summer long trip with his best friend. After finally coming out to the world he is ready to begin his life as a gay man. When the friend backs out, Brent gets Lowell instead. Lowell is very out and very proud of it. Brent doesn’t know much about him except that he has a reputation of being easy. Brent’s plans ruined, he is prepared to hate his summer with Lowell. However, unexpectedly, both men find exactly what they have been looking for.
These characters were very likable. Both had a lot of attitude when the book started. I liked how they worked through their initial dislike. I’ve never been a fan of squabbling characters but their interactions were pretty cute. Their relationship worked well.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
These characters were very likable. Both had a lot of attitude when the book started. I liked how they worked through their initial dislike. I’ve never been a fan of squabbling characters but their interactions were pretty cute. Their relationship worked well.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
December 18, 2018
Push & Pull is the second book in Brigham Vaugn's The Midwest Series and is the story of Lowell and Brent. It is a fun and entertaining.
Brent has been in the closet throughout high school and college. Now that graduation is over it's time to go on a planned roadtrip with his best friend, Nathan. Only Nathan is busy moving with his boyfriend Caleb and so instead of going on the trip with his friend, Brent is going on a trip with Lowell - a very out and proud man. Although there is an attraction between the two, preconceived notions and rumors have left an impression that makes Brent keep his distance. Besides Lowell doesn't do relationships and being stuck on a road trip with a one night stand may not be the best idea. But as they continue their trip and get to see the real besides the fabrications, staying apart may not be so easy. And Lowell and Brent's eyes may be opened to a whole new adventure ahead of them.
An entertaining read that has colorful and wonderful characters and a fun story. I was drawn into their world and being from the midwest, I enjoyed all the descriptions of the places they went. Lowell and Brent are part adorable part sexy as hell together. I definitely suggest everyone read both the first book from the series and then this one to see more of the characters and their interaction. I felt invested in seeing these characters find happy endings.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Brent has been in the closet throughout high school and college. Now that graduation is over it's time to go on a planned roadtrip with his best friend, Nathan. Only Nathan is busy moving with his boyfriend Caleb and so instead of going on the trip with his friend, Brent is going on a trip with Lowell - a very out and proud man. Although there is an attraction between the two, preconceived notions and rumors have left an impression that makes Brent keep his distance. Besides Lowell doesn't do relationships and being stuck on a road trip with a one night stand may not be the best idea. But as they continue their trip and get to see the real besides the fabrications, staying apart may not be so easy. And Lowell and Brent's eyes may be opened to a whole new adventure ahead of them.
An entertaining read that has colorful and wonderful characters and a fun story. I was drawn into their world and being from the midwest, I enjoyed all the descriptions of the places they went. Lowell and Brent are part adorable part sexy as hell together. I definitely suggest everyone read both the first book from the series and then this one to see more of the characters and their interaction. I felt invested in seeing these characters find happy endings.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
October 28, 2018
Push & Pull is the second book in Brigham Vaughn's Midwest Series. As I loved book one, Bully & Exit, I was super excited to get to read this one, and it held up to my expectations.
In this book, we are treated to a fun and exciting romance between Brent and Lowell. As complete opposites, they get off to a rough start together. But, as luck would have it, they end up taking a road trip together.
Brent's spent his life as a closeted hockey player. Out now, he's still weary of spending time with the out and proud Lowell, who's graceful, likes makeup and is super rich. Personally, I love the over the top, dramatic, force of nature that is Lowell.
I found myself enjoying every second of their trip together, liking the slow way in which they start talking about their pasts, and trying to put it behind them.
Their trip is full of flirting, teasing, and some major sexual tension. Unfortunately, they also face awkwardness, confusion, grief, and avoidance.
I absolutely love Push & Pull. Brigham Vaughn does a fantastic job of taking such difference men and having them slowly fall in love. It is fun, entertaining, riveting and had me unable to put it down. It's a definite recommendation for me.
In this book, we are treated to a fun and exciting romance between Brent and Lowell. As complete opposites, they get off to a rough start together. But, as luck would have it, they end up taking a road trip together.
Brent's spent his life as a closeted hockey player. Out now, he's still weary of spending time with the out and proud Lowell, who's graceful, likes makeup and is super rich. Personally, I love the over the top, dramatic, force of nature that is Lowell.
I found myself enjoying every second of their trip together, liking the slow way in which they start talking about their pasts, and trying to put it behind them.
Their trip is full of flirting, teasing, and some major sexual tension. Unfortunately, they also face awkwardness, confusion, grief, and avoidance.
I absolutely love Push & Pull. Brigham Vaughn does a fantastic job of taking such difference men and having them slowly fall in love. It is fun, entertaining, riveting and had me unable to put it down. It's a definite recommendation for me.
October 31, 2018
I really enjoyed Bully & Exit and part of that enjoyment was the excellent secondary characters in Brent and Lowell. And although they had few on page scenes between them in the first book, those interactions were sufficient to have me keenly anticipating this book. Their book.
And this book really is a joy. I loved Brent, the recently out hockey player, and his journey to acceptance of his sexuality and what being out meant for him. Lowell, well occasionally I felt like slapping him upside the head, but he’s unashamedly flamboyant and true to himself, and you can’t help but like him even when he’s being a bit of a dick. Because ultimately, he’s just protecting his heart. And Brent chipping his way through that protective layer provides a lovely, funny, sometimes infuriating story.
There’s a road trip and Pride, camping and posh hotels, hand holding and steamy sex. We get to check in with Nathan and Caleb, and get a brief glimpse of a possible relationship for Micah. That’s an angry, bitter story in the making but one I’d be interested to read if the author can find redemption for Micah.
Highly recommended.
And this book really is a joy. I loved Brent, the recently out hockey player, and his journey to acceptance of his sexuality and what being out meant for him. Lowell, well occasionally I felt like slapping him upside the head, but he’s unashamedly flamboyant and true to himself, and you can’t help but like him even when he’s being a bit of a dick. Because ultimately, he’s just protecting his heart. And Brent chipping his way through that protective layer provides a lovely, funny, sometimes infuriating story.
There’s a road trip and Pride, camping and posh hotels, hand holding and steamy sex. We get to check in with Nathan and Caleb, and get a brief glimpse of a possible relationship for Micah. That’s an angry, bitter story in the making but one I’d be interested to read if the author can find redemption for Micah.
Highly recommended.
October 21, 2018
Czy warto było czekać 3 lata na tą książkę, zdecydowanie.
October 27, 2018
Book 1 in this series was great. This one was even better. A enemies to friends story is a fine line when it comes to writing. you have to delicately balance the fighting between the two characters or you risk your readers hating one or both of them. If you fall into that pit, it's hard to climb back out again when wanting your readers to believe, or care, that the characters are falling in love. The author did this wonderfully in my opinion. Brent and Lowell had just the right amount of animosity at the start - enough to believe the dislike but not too much that I couldn't believe that they would fall in love eventually. A really great addition to another series to add to my TBR.
July 8, 2020
Push and Pull is the second book in the ‘Midwest Series’. It stars ex-hockey player, Brent Cameron, and Lowell Prescott, who’s out and proud. The story is told in third person from both Brent and Lowell’s povs.
June 29, 2020
This is the 2nd book in the Midwest Series and it features Lowell and Brent, two characters we already met in the first book, Brent being Nathan's best friend and Lowell was Caleb's roommate and best friend as well.
Brent and Lowell are forced to be together for the summer while making the road trip Brent was supposed to take with Nathan. The trip was planned long before Nathan and Caleb got together, but after that happened, Nathan bailed out of it because he didn't want to jeopardize his fresh relationship with Caleb, and they come up with the plan to have Lowell take his place. Lowell thinks Brent is hot, and he assumes he will be able to smooth talk him into accepting the plan the three of them came up with. But he's wrong. Brent is furious. He wanted a summer with his best friend, not with a guy who has a questionable reputation when it comes down to hookups and sex with jocks.
But he has little options left, so in order to make the trip he had been looking forward to for so long (and has payed for), he reluctantly agrees. Lowell and Brent start off completely wrong, of course, which is part of the fun of this whole story. And, of course, in the end things develop and they start to look at each other very differently. Predictable as this story might be, it's still very engaging and I loved it! I liked it better than the first book. I loved out and proud and bossy Lowell, I loved how Brent was still getting used to being an out gay man. How some situations still made him feel a bit out of place, while at the same time he kept telling himself to take advantage of the fact that he could enjoy being in a gay bar or make out in front of other people because there was nothing to HIDE anymore!
I like this author's writing style, even better in this book than in the first one.
Part of why this story was speaking to me was, that I loved how she described the trip Brent and Lowell made around Lake Michigan; I made the same trip 2 years ago and it was so much fun to read about the places we visited back then! Brent is from Zeeland, which I thought was fun, because I remember that we were there and took a lot of pictures, since I'm Dutch and there's a lot of Dutch history to be found there. It made me enjoy it even a tiny bit more :)
If you read the first book, you really should read this one as well. It's a great follow-up.
Arc provided in exchange for an honest review
Brent and Lowell are forced to be together for the summer while making the road trip Brent was supposed to take with Nathan. The trip was planned long before Nathan and Caleb got together, but after that happened, Nathan bailed out of it because he didn't want to jeopardize his fresh relationship with Caleb, and they come up with the plan to have Lowell take his place. Lowell thinks Brent is hot, and he assumes he will be able to smooth talk him into accepting the plan the three of them came up with. But he's wrong. Brent is furious. He wanted a summer with his best friend, not with a guy who has a questionable reputation when it comes down to hookups and sex with jocks.
But he has little options left, so in order to make the trip he had been looking forward to for so long (and has payed for), he reluctantly agrees. Lowell and Brent start off completely wrong, of course, which is part of the fun of this whole story. And, of course, in the end things develop and they start to look at each other very differently. Predictable as this story might be, it's still very engaging and I loved it! I liked it better than the first book. I loved out and proud and bossy Lowell, I loved how Brent was still getting used to being an out gay man. How some situations still made him feel a bit out of place, while at the same time he kept telling himself to take advantage of the fact that he could enjoy being in a gay bar or make out in front of other people because there was nothing to HIDE anymore!
I like this author's writing style, even better in this book than in the first one.
Part of why this story was speaking to me was, that I loved how she described the trip Brent and Lowell made around Lake Michigan; I made the same trip 2 years ago and it was so much fun to read about the places we visited back then! Brent is from Zeeland, which I thought was fun, because I remember that we were there and took a lot of pictures, since I'm Dutch and there's a lot of Dutch history to be found there. It made me enjoy it even a tiny bit more :)
If you read the first book, you really should read this one as well. It's a great follow-up.
Arc provided in exchange for an honest review
July 7, 2020
This is book 2 of a series. I haven't read book 1 but I had not trouble following the characters or plot line. It all starts with newly out hockey player Brent Cameron. He is just about to graduate and has planned a summer road trip with his best friend Caleb. He has been looking forward to the sightseeing and camping trip for months. Unbeknownst to him, Caleb has been making some changes to the trip. Caleb is in a new relationship with Nathan and doesn't want to leave him for the summer right now. But don't worry, Caleb has a plan. Famous last words.
Brent shows up at the rendezvous point and anxiously waits for Caleb so the adventure can begin. Caleb finally shows up but he is not alone. Lowell Prescott, an out and proud man with a little bit of a easy reputation, is there as well. Lowell is the best friend and roommate of Caleb's partner. Caleb explains that he can't go on the planned trip but Brent can still go with Lowell. That way the trip isn't ruined. To say that Brent is surprised and very upset would be a massive understatement. Brent was looking forward to spending time with his best friend before they move away after graduation. Brent is a casual friend of Lowell's and what he has heard about Lowell hasn't been the best. Even though Brent is upset and frustrated his only options are go with Lowell or don't go at all. Brent has saved up for the trip and will lose all the money he has already put down on reservations and tickets for events along the way if he doesn't go.
So two people who don't know each other very well are about to go on a long road trip. The trip involves economical hotels and a lot of camping. Lowell is financially secure, used to nice hotels and has never camped a day in his life. Both have preconceived ideas about the other. This trip gives them the chance to discover the real person behind the reputation. Worst case scenario, they both end up with a new friend; best case scenario, perhaps something more.
This was a fun read. I could totally understand Brent's anger and frustration. As well as the reasons behind Lowell's behavior. I really enjoyed the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Brent shows up at the rendezvous point and anxiously waits for Caleb so the adventure can begin. Caleb finally shows up but he is not alone. Lowell Prescott, an out and proud man with a little bit of a easy reputation, is there as well. Lowell is the best friend and roommate of Caleb's partner. Caleb explains that he can't go on the planned trip but Brent can still go with Lowell. That way the trip isn't ruined. To say that Brent is surprised and very upset would be a massive understatement. Brent was looking forward to spending time with his best friend before they move away after graduation. Brent is a casual friend of Lowell's and what he has heard about Lowell hasn't been the best. Even though Brent is upset and frustrated his only options are go with Lowell or don't go at all. Brent has saved up for the trip and will lose all the money he has already put down on reservations and tickets for events along the way if he doesn't go.
So two people who don't know each other very well are about to go on a long road trip. The trip involves economical hotels and a lot of camping. Lowell is financially secure, used to nice hotels and has never camped a day in his life. Both have preconceived ideas about the other. This trip gives them the chance to discover the real person behind the reputation. Worst case scenario, they both end up with a new friend; best case scenario, perhaps something more.
This was a fun read. I could totally understand Brent's anger and frustration. As well as the reasons behind Lowell's behavior. I really enjoyed the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2020
A MAZZZZZZZ ZINNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG 10/10
hockey player Brent Cameron has been playing this summer trip for years. His best friend Nathan and himself had just came out of the closet and Brent just wanted to live life as himself. But on the morning of the departure day Brent was waiting for Nathan to arrive and he was no where to been seen but he did spot Lowell Prescott getting out off his amazing car! So Nathan isn't coming because he doesn't want to leave his boyfriend for a few month. Brent is fuming as Nathan knows he cant afford go to on this trip by himself. But it seems that Nathan and Lowell have been panning and his is going to take him place!!!
Lowell is known as the man that likes to spend time with the jocks but there is so much more to Lowell that only his best friend Caleb knows. Caleb is Nathans boyfriend and when they both didnt want to spend their summer apart Lowell volunteered to go in Nathans place so they could be sickly happy over the summer. He thought Brent would be angry for a while but he believed his personality would soon win him over and they would have the most amazing summer together. But it wasn't going to plan. He was so angry even letting Brent drive his car wasn't helping.
Maybe this wasn't a good idea or would things calm down between them??
WOW this was a brilliant story. There was just so much going on and seeing their other sides was just brilliant. Maybe dont offer to teach Lowell to ice skate
:0) because that scene was just tooo cute!! I couldnt stop smiling. And I couldnt read this book fast enough but then in the next breath I didnt want it to end.
I really liked these two. The way they helped each other learn new skills but its the way they are with each other. It's special, it's magical and it made me shiver. But there is just so much to over come from their pasts and present. Are they strong enough to fight for what they want???
A FANTATSIC READ THAT IS SUPER ADDICTIVE AND EXCITING.
And I cant wait for book 3 because I only have bad thoughts about Micah!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
hockey player Brent Cameron has been playing this summer trip for years. His best friend Nathan and himself had just came out of the closet and Brent just wanted to live life as himself. But on the morning of the departure day Brent was waiting for Nathan to arrive and he was no where to been seen but he did spot Lowell Prescott getting out off his amazing car! So Nathan isn't coming because he doesn't want to leave his boyfriend for a few month. Brent is fuming as Nathan knows he cant afford go to on this trip by himself. But it seems that Nathan and Lowell have been panning and his is going to take him place!!!
Lowell is known as the man that likes to spend time with the jocks but there is so much more to Lowell that only his best friend Caleb knows. Caleb is Nathans boyfriend and when they both didnt want to spend their summer apart Lowell volunteered to go in Nathans place so they could be sickly happy over the summer. He thought Brent would be angry for a while but he believed his personality would soon win him over and they would have the most amazing summer together. But it wasn't going to plan. He was so angry even letting Brent drive his car wasn't helping.
Maybe this wasn't a good idea or would things calm down between them??
WOW this was a brilliant story. There was just so much going on and seeing their other sides was just brilliant. Maybe dont offer to teach Lowell to ice skate
:0) because that scene was just tooo cute!! I couldnt stop smiling. And I couldnt read this book fast enough but then in the next breath I didnt want it to end.
I really liked these two. The way they helped each other learn new skills but its the way they are with each other. It's special, it's magical and it made me shiver. But there is just so much to over come from their pasts and present. Are they strong enough to fight for what they want???
A FANTATSIC READ THAT IS SUPER ADDICTIVE AND EXCITING.
And I cant wait for book 3 because I only have bad thoughts about Micah!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 1, 2020
The second book in the Midwest Series features Caleb's best friend Lowell and Nathan's best friend Brent. Due to Nathan and Caleb's recent relationship Nathan decides that it is in their best interest for him to back out of his road-trip he planned with Brent. Lowell then decides that he can take Nathan's place so Brent can still go; except they don't really tell Brent until the day of the trip. Recently coming out, Brent is somewhat flustered by the flamboyant and confident Lowell. With the whole summer ahead of them there is bound to be lots of interesting adventures and maybe somewhere along the way both men will realize there is more between them then what they both see on the surface.
I did read this series by Brigham Vaughn in order but this novel can be read as a standalone. Personally I liked this novel a lot better then the first one. Here, there was more a connection between Brent and Lowell then Caleb and Nathan. While both came with their own baggage it wasn't linked with the other and that's what really dragged down the first book for me. I also think that the character Lowell is extremely likeable. Everything about him is just so kind, lovely and downright hilarious. Hands down seeing more of Lowell this book was fabulous! I would recommend this book for those that like the flamboyant and jock romance. I will say that this book is a bit on the longer side and sometimes it drags a little bit, but I think that it still manages to grasp your attention and live you swooning as these two men try to navigate their feelings for each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I did read this series by Brigham Vaughn in order but this novel can be read as a standalone. Personally I liked this novel a lot better then the first one. Here, there was more a connection between Brent and Lowell then Caleb and Nathan. While both came with their own baggage it wasn't linked with the other and that's what really dragged down the first book for me. I also think that the character Lowell is extremely likeable. Everything about him is just so kind, lovely and downright hilarious. Hands down seeing more of Lowell this book was fabulous! I would recommend this book for those that like the flamboyant and jock romance. I will say that this book is a bit on the longer side and sometimes it drags a little bit, but I think that it still manages to grasp your attention and live you swooning as these two men try to navigate their feelings for each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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