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Love Next Door
By the age of twenty-four, David had already met, married and divorced his husband, James. Now three years later, his ex-husband is still trying to contact him. David wants nothing to do with James or the woman he cheated with, but neither one seems to get the message.
Now, someone is threatening David, vandalizing his property and sending him hateful messages. David has had a problem trusting people for years, more so since his divorce. However, he knows he can trust his gorgeous next-door neighbor Reese, a bodyguard who is becoming a little more than eye candy.
After falling in love with a client killed on his watch, Reese has lost interest in a lot of things. Except for his younger neighbor, David. When Reese is around David, he makes Reese feel younger, more like his old self.
Reese now sees it as his mission to protect David. But, being around David all the time has Reese wondering if there is more he can offer David. Reese finds himself thinking that they could be more than just friends.
Can both men overcome their pasts and learn to love again. Can David overcome his trust issues and open his heart to Reese? Can Reese finally lay to rest the ghosts of past mistakes and rebuild a life with David?
Please Note: This book contains adult language and steamy adult activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Novel, approximately 35,000 words in length. HEA (happy ever after ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger." Themes include: Older man, cheating spouse, bodyguard, protecting, friends to lovers.
Now, someone is threatening David, vandalizing his property and sending him hateful messages. David has had a problem trusting people for years, more so since his divorce. However, he knows he can trust his gorgeous next-door neighbor Reese, a bodyguard who is becoming a little more than eye candy.
After falling in love with a client killed on his watch, Reese has lost interest in a lot of things. Except for his younger neighbor, David. When Reese is around David, he makes Reese feel younger, more like his old self.
Reese now sees it as his mission to protect David. But, being around David all the time has Reese wondering if there is more he can offer David. Reese finds himself thinking that they could be more than just friends.
Can both men overcome their pasts and learn to love again. Can David overcome his trust issues and open his heart to Reese? Can Reese finally lay to rest the ghosts of past mistakes and rebuild a life with David?
Please Note: This book contains adult language and steamy adult activities, it is intended for 18+ Adults Only. Novel, approximately 35,000 words in length. HEA (happy ever after ending). Does not end with a "cliffhanger." Themes include: Older man, cheating spouse, bodyguard, protecting, friends to lovers.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2019
43 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Cole
182 books293 followersJerry Cole is a gay author who lives in California & enjoys writing love stories. Jerry has been writing fiction since he was a child. As a young adult, he worked as a freelance writer in the evenings & on weekends. Jerry started writing gay romance stories several years ago, but initially just for his own entertainment & occasionally sharing stories with his friends. In the summer of 2015 he published his first gay romance short story on Amazon. Overwhelmed by the positive response he decided to quit his “day job” & took up writing gay romance full time. When he’s not writing steamy M/M romance he enjoys globetrotting, watching movies with family and friends, working out, & being dragged down the road by his two Great Danes.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 18, 2020
* A well done novella of friends to lovers tale.
David, 24, works in Mall Security and is already divorced from his cheating husband James, a cop.
His neighbor of 4 years is Reed, a Bodyguard on leave from his job, because his client (and secret lover) died under his protection.
The men get along well, hang out at times, and each can understand the other's anger and pain. Things change when a brick flies through David's front window, and then more.... Reed is in full on protection mode. It's expected that James, is to blame, but there is a twist.
Our men get frisky and hot sexy times are happening. This is well written, interesting, full of anticipation, and deep thoughts. The side characters are terrific.
It's a mix of mystery, suspense, and feelings laid bare.
ENJOY !
======
David, 24, works in Mall Security and is already divorced from his cheating husband James, a cop.
His neighbor of 4 years is Reed, a Bodyguard on leave from his job, because his client (and secret lover) died under his protection.
The men get along well, hang out at times, and each can understand the other's anger and pain. Things change when a brick flies through David's front window, and then more.... Reed is in full on protection mode. It's expected that James, is to blame, but there is a twist.
Our men get frisky and hot sexy times are happening. This is well written, interesting, full of anticipation, and deep thoughts. The side characters are terrific.
It's a mix of mystery, suspense, and feelings laid bare.
ENJOY !
======
January 19, 2020
Stick a fork in me, I’m done! I gave it my all I had to DNF at 47%. The story wasn’t going anywhere. Sorry.
December 7, 2019
An insightful new novel
California author Jerry Cole’s publications are over 90! And as Jerry’s repertoire grows his dramatic ability increases. LOVE NEXT DOOR is a solid new book, a very satisfying romance variation.
In this new novel Jerry takes on same sex marriage – a topic too few have addressed and even fewer have respected the boundaries and consequences of marriages gone sour. Within the first chapter he offers sufficient background to explain the story ahead –‘James had cheated on him the moment he started his new job at the Sioux Falls police department. And it had gone on for nearly a year before David realized what was going on. Four years since that day and three years since the divorce was finalized. And James kept coming back, begging for another chance. He was thirty years old and acted like a spoiled brat… David and James had been together since David was sixteen, both being each other’s first boyfriend. They married when David was eighteen, just as he was going into the real world. Eighteen months in, after what felt like a brilliant marriage, David discovered James’ cheating, and then it was another year of sorting out the divorce…’
Given that history, the new romance is even more interesting, as Jerry’s synopsis indicated - ‘By the age of twenty-four, David had already met, married and divorced his husband, James. Now three years later, his ex-husband is still trying to contact him. David wants nothing to do with James or the woman he cheated with, but neither one seems to get the message. Now, someone is threatening David, vandalizing his property and sending him hateful messages. David has had a problem trusting people for years, more so since his divorce. However, he knows he can trust his gorgeous next-door neighbor Reese, a bodyguard who is becoming a little more than eye candy. After falling in love with a client killed on his watch, Reese has lost interest in a lot of things. Except for his younger neighbor, David. When Reese is around David, he makes Reese feel younger, more like his old self. Reese now sees it as his mission to protect David. But, being around David all the time has Reese wondering if there is more he can offer David. Reese finds himself thinking that they could be more than just friends. Can both men overcome their pasts and learn to love again. Can David overcome his trust issues and open his heart to Reese? Can Reese finally lay to rest the ghosts of past mistakes and rebuild a life with David?’
This is a realistic and refreshing new vantage from which to view relationships – and Jerry makes it works very well.
California author Jerry Cole’s publications are over 90! And as Jerry’s repertoire grows his dramatic ability increases. LOVE NEXT DOOR is a solid new book, a very satisfying romance variation.
In this new novel Jerry takes on same sex marriage – a topic too few have addressed and even fewer have respected the boundaries and consequences of marriages gone sour. Within the first chapter he offers sufficient background to explain the story ahead –‘James had cheated on him the moment he started his new job at the Sioux Falls police department. And it had gone on for nearly a year before David realized what was going on. Four years since that day and three years since the divorce was finalized. And James kept coming back, begging for another chance. He was thirty years old and acted like a spoiled brat… David and James had been together since David was sixteen, both being each other’s first boyfriend. They married when David was eighteen, just as he was going into the real world. Eighteen months in, after what felt like a brilliant marriage, David discovered James’ cheating, and then it was another year of sorting out the divorce…’
Given that history, the new romance is even more interesting, as Jerry’s synopsis indicated - ‘By the age of twenty-four, David had already met, married and divorced his husband, James. Now three years later, his ex-husband is still trying to contact him. David wants nothing to do with James or the woman he cheated with, but neither one seems to get the message. Now, someone is threatening David, vandalizing his property and sending him hateful messages. David has had a problem trusting people for years, more so since his divorce. However, he knows he can trust his gorgeous next-door neighbor Reese, a bodyguard who is becoming a little more than eye candy. After falling in love with a client killed on his watch, Reese has lost interest in a lot of things. Except for his younger neighbor, David. When Reese is around David, he makes Reese feel younger, more like his old self. Reese now sees it as his mission to protect David. But, being around David all the time has Reese wondering if there is more he can offer David. Reese finds himself thinking that they could be more than just friends. Can both men overcome their pasts and learn to love again. Can David overcome his trust issues and open his heart to Reese? Can Reese finally lay to rest the ghosts of past mistakes and rebuild a life with David?’
This is a realistic and refreshing new vantage from which to view relationships – and Jerry makes it works very well.
December 7, 2019
Love Next Door is the story of neighbors David and Reese trying to rebuild their lives from the excruciating pain they’ve had to endure. David is still being harassed by his ex-husband who he divorced years ago and Reese is still grieving the lover he recently lost. Although David and Reese have been friends for years, they never thought to look to each other for romance. It’s funny how much they can blatantly avoid something that has been right in front of them this whole time. I suppose that’s the human in all of us. The problem is that David is being targeted with violence so Reese decides to step up to ensure his safety. We get to see the drama unfold and be taken on thrill ride to figure out who is targeting David and if David and Reese will live to see where their love will take them. It was a quick read for me because I couldn’t put it down since I had to know what was going to happen next. I had to know how everything was going to play out because I love Jerry’s suspenseful works. I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
December 7, 2019
David and Reese are two men trying to get over tragic events in their past. Forging a great friendship the chemistry over time starts to sizzle with sexual desire.
Together they create a hot read. Passion runs high and you feel the heat between the men.
This is a well written story where the characters keep you turning the pages. The underlining tension creeps along with an edge of darkness.
I highly recommend this book, a story with great characters that capture your heart.
I received a free advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest & unbiased review.
Together they create a hot read. Passion runs high and you feel the heat between the men.
This is a well written story where the characters keep you turning the pages. The underlining tension creeps along with an edge of darkness.
I highly recommend this book, a story with great characters that capture your heart.
I received a free advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest & unbiased review.
December 7, 2019
Whew! My heart was pounding a little fast at the end of the story. The author has given us a short story that is both entertaining and suspenseful. David divorced his cheating husband who cheated with a fellow officer. James just won't give up though and haunts...or stalks him even after three years apart. Laura is becoming more violet all the time as she is determined to keep James and is on the offensive toward David. Reese is David's next door neighbor and he has given David his support through it all. Neither have had romantic feelings towards the other, but has things intensify in David's life, Reese is growing more protective. A bodyguard, Reese is on leave of absence as he was having an affair with his client and then the client was killed on his watch. Both men have painful emotional events to get through and they are getting through them together. The story intensifies and you find yourself on the edge of your seat. Danger lurks in every corner for David and you just can't figure how he is going to get out of the stalker mess he is in. An excellent, exciting story. I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC story.
December 9, 2019
Action filled enjoyable read!
This slow burn, friends to lovers novie was fast paced and action packed. As neighbors and friends David and Reese have been each other's grounding rods over the years and storms of their lives.
Now someone has turned up the heat and stalker attacks against David are coming closer together and escalating in violence. He worries it is his ex-husband or the woman he found his husband cheating with. He can't rely on law enforcement because both his ex and his ex's lover are cops.
Reese is ex FBI turned private bodyguard. However, he is currently on leave after his last assignment turned fatal for his client, who he happened to be involved with. One fan turned true fanatic has turned Reese's world upside down, and he refuses to let anything happen to David, in spite of his demons.
This is a quick, enjoyable read. I recommend to anyone who likes action, drama, mystery, and two wounded souls finding love and their HEA.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.⛄
This slow burn, friends to lovers novie was fast paced and action packed. As neighbors and friends David and Reese have been each other's grounding rods over the years and storms of their lives.
Now someone has turned up the heat and stalker attacks against David are coming closer together and escalating in violence. He worries it is his ex-husband or the woman he found his husband cheating with. He can't rely on law enforcement because both his ex and his ex's lover are cops.
Reese is ex FBI turned private bodyguard. However, he is currently on leave after his last assignment turned fatal for his client, who he happened to be involved with. One fan turned true fanatic has turned Reese's world upside down, and he refuses to let anything happen to David, in spite of his demons.
This is a quick, enjoyable read. I recommend to anyone who likes action, drama, mystery, and two wounded souls finding love and their HEA.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.⛄
February 29, 2020
2/5
Involved a lot of suspension of disbelief. A security guard turns to his bodyguard neighbor for protection from a crazy stalker. The mystery stalker was obvious when we first meet them. I didn't quite get how Reese had fallen in love with his protectee (to the point they were considering marriage) but it seemed pretty obvious Reese had been into David for a long time as well. Maybe because David was married as well? (To a controlling man he started dating when he was 16 and James was 22.) James was "taken" by his partner on the police force who for whom "married men seemed to be her thing, almost like a fetish." Almost all blame was put on James' bisexuality or the woman. Just no. James was an asshole from the get-go.
But the chemistry between David and Reese was good.
Involved a lot of suspension of disbelief. A security guard turns to his bodyguard neighbor for protection from a crazy stalker. The mystery stalker was obvious when we first meet them. I didn't quite get how Reese had fallen in love with his protectee (to the point they were considering marriage) but it seemed pretty obvious Reese had been into David for a long time as well. Maybe because David was married as well? (To a controlling man he started dating when he was 16 and James was 22.) James was "taken" by his partner on the police force who for whom "married men seemed to be her thing, almost like a fetish." Almost all blame was put on James' bisexuality or the woman. Just no. James was an asshole from the get-go.
But the chemistry between David and Reese was good.
December 11, 2019
In this story neighbours and friends, David and Reese, are both trying to get over their painful history. David wants to get on with his life but his ex-husband wants to get back together with him, which he is not interested in. Reese finds it difficult to get over the death of his friend and lover. Then things start to happen to David and Reese takes it upon himself to protect him. In the process the get romantically involved.
This book is so full of suspense that you just want to carry on reading to find out, who is stalking David. Is it his ex? The ending actually was a big surprise for me. A very exiting read.
I read a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
This book is so full of suspense that you just want to carry on reading to find out, who is stalking David. Is it his ex? The ending actually was a big surprise for me. A very exiting read.
I read a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
December 30, 2019
Not great
I mean, why, why do some authors make such a huge point to establish where a story takes place - for example, Sioux Falls, and then have the book.sound absolutely Australian? If you're going to have your book be US based, at least take a little time to have the geography and lingo fit together.
The plot itself wasn't great either. Reese was involved with a man who was being harassed by a woman. David?same thing aka unoriginal. I truly had no.sense of what Reese looked like, or anything else really. It was also quite repetitive. I seriously doubt I will ever read anything by this author again. This book read like it was written by an amateur.
I mean, why, why do some authors make such a huge point to establish where a story takes place - for example, Sioux Falls, and then have the book.sound absolutely Australian? If you're going to have your book be US based, at least take a little time to have the geography and lingo fit together.
The plot itself wasn't great either. Reese was involved with a man who was being harassed by a woman. David?same thing aka unoriginal. I truly had no.sense of what Reese looked like, or anything else really. It was also quite repetitive. I seriously doubt I will ever read anything by this author again. This book read like it was written by an amateur.
December 7, 2019
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Reese was grieving the loss of his boyfriend but can he find room in his heart for his best friend. David is been divorced from his cheating husband but some how the memo didn't get through to James as he keeps coming back for a second chance that David won't give. When things start to happen with drinks and his car is destroyed the only man David wants there is Reese but his best friend ready for a new love? Another great read from Jerry Cole. The abuse of power can go to anyone's head.
December 31, 2019
As a fan of Jerry Cole's books I am not sure that I can give an unbiased opinion of this one. David and Reese's story had a lot of the elements that I love in Mr Cole's books like an action plot with intrigue and danger and in the middle of all that a sweet love story. Now, this story about neighbors and friends that became something more, had some angst situations but also great romance, hot scenes and even a rescue. Loved it!!
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
December 10, 2019
Loved it!
Another great book by Jerry Cole. It drew me in from the very first page and I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved Reese and David and I didn't want their story to end. Loved it!!
Another great book by Jerry Cole. It drew me in from the very first page and I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved Reese and David and I didn't want their story to end. Loved it!!
December 8, 2019
interesting story.. good plot.. good characters.. good storyline and writing.. i enjoyed it
March 29, 2020
A great, quick read.
I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a great and quick read. The story flowed well. The characters were well developed.
I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a great and quick read. The story flowed well. The characters were well developed.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews