Sometimes Gerome Meadows longs for the excitement of the life he left behind for Witness Protection. But when he stands up to a bully in a bar to protect a homeless man, his past comes very close to home—and it’s no longer what he wants. Tucker Wells has been living in a tent, surviving with the aid of his friend Cheryl and helping her watch over her son. When he winds up on the wrong side of an argument with some dangerous people, his already difficult life is thrown into turmoil. Gerome steps in to find them a temporary apartment, and Tucker is grateful and relieved. Gerome never meant to open the door to trouble. His life and Tucker’s depend on keeping his past a mystery. But as his desire to protect develops into something deeper, he and Tucker will have to evaluate what family means—and hope that their growing feelings pass unimaginable tests.
This second of (hopefully) three books in a series that is a bit out of the usual for Andrew Grey is just as unusual and exciting and romantic and hot as the first with a cast of characters that like the first is anchored by a young boy.
Grey has increasingly used young children in his books to bring out the best of his sometimes flawed characters and in this one he tosses in the boy's mother and her most recent protector to give us a story that has its flaws but more than that its strengths that rest solely on the viability of the main characters. In that respect, Grey delivers a boffo performance once again.
Gerome Meadows is the second of the three former Detroit enforcers forced into Witness Protection after tuning on their mob bosses and he is a superior physical presence (see the cover, read the blurb). But he's frustrated by a lack of action and purpose in his life and jealous of his "brother" Richard's new relationship with a former hacker and his young son. In addition he's always on alert to the potential trouble that can be caused by the third "brother," Terrance, who is a bit of a loose cannon and consumes more beer in one sitting than most characters to in an entire book.
Then quite by accident Gerome comes across a decade younger beauty named Tucker Wells, the young protector of the mother and young son, and his life changes for the good and the bad because man, has he got it bad for this homeless but very wise young guy. These two come together as a result of a botched criminal cash pick-up and spend the rest of the book trying to figure out how to keep out of the way of the "botchers" without keeping out of the way of each other.
It's a rocking, smoking hot, ride but with a strong undercurrent of family strength and love that leaves your heart warming up all the way.
I will leave it there except to make a note to Mr. Grey that I can hardly wait to see what you do with Terrance in the final book of the series.
Holy moly what a story. I thought this was a typical Andrew Grey story but boy was I wrong.
Gerome, has a dark past and secrets. Forced to Lay low in a witness protection program he constantly has to fly under the radar, and he does. That is until he meets Tucker, a man out of luck and just about to get in serious trouble. He shouldn’t, he really shouldn’t help him, but he does it anyway and with the fatal conséquence of falling in love. Despite the fact that they shouldn’t be able to build a future because of Gerome’s past he slowly gives in.
I was on pins and needles from the beginning to the end the story new new new angst each corner you turn. I loved it. This story is so beautiful and so well done. I’m amazed, once again I might add.
This is a fantastic series, I love these former mobsters with amazing hearts! Gerome is such a great character and I loved his story as he steps in to help sweet Tucker and his friend Cheryl and her adorable little boy Joshie. This story has action, romance, sweetness and some wonderful bad guys turned good.
Richard, Gerome and Terrance are like brothers, growing up rough and now the three men are in the witness protection program and living in Florida. They are supposed to be living quiet lives, not drawing attention to themselves, although they aren’t all that good at that. This is Gerome’s story, he’s working in a small gift shop and missing the action of his former life. One night while at the beach he witnesses what is supposed to be some kind of drop but it goes a little wrong. Instead of the intended man finding a washed up package, Gerome finds it. He also finds homeless Tucker, the man who was supposed to find the package being followed and possibly in danger. Gerome steps in to protect Tucker and offers him, along with his friend Cheryl and little Joshie a place to stay.
Tucker has had some rough luck and in a desperate move offers to deliver a package for some money. When that goes sideways, he finds himself thankful to the big, rough Gerome, unsure of what he stepped into and what will happen next. As their story goes on, Gerome and Tucker get to know each other, there’s an immediate and undeniable connection between the two men, but there are also a lot of secrets and unanswered questions. For Gerome and his friends, this could be opening up a line to exactly what they are trying to stay away from.
There was a lot going on in this story and I loved every minute of it, I couldn’t put the book down. Gerome and Tucker are so great together, Gerome’s protectiveness towards Tucker and Tucker’s ability to soften Gerome and get him to open up, well, that’s just a perfect combination. Things happen pretty quick in this story, but it all worked for me. There’s a lot of the ‘what is going to happen next’ feel, whether it was about the drama with that package and the drug cartel connections, the relationship developing between Gerome and Tucker or even little Joshie, I loved it and it kept me reading. A fun, sweet read, I really love this group and am really hoping that we get Terrance’s story, I’m so curious about him! I highly recommend this series!
I really enjoyed this story. It’s full of action, suspense, bad guys who aren’t so bad, and more. Gerome is a perfect bad guy turned good. Once a leader in the Detroit mob, he’s now in the witness protection program along with his best friends. But he misses his former life and the fact that they have to watch over their shoulders all the time. Now, instead of running the hottest gay nightclubs in Detroit, he’s working at a giftshop on Longboat Key, Florida.
Tucker lost his job when the restaurant he worked at closed down. Then he lost his home. And now, he lives in a tent on the beach with other homeless people. He’s befriended a woman—Cheryl—and her five-year-old son Joshie and formed a “family.” Given the chance at earning three hundred dollars just to pick up a package on the beach, he jumps at the chance in order to get them all some real food. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find the package and the “owner” comes after him. Gerome knows what’s going on and steps in to help the cute guy and ends up falling for him.
Gerome is the best example of a bad guy turned good. Yes, he has a past, and might still “bend” the rules when needed, but he has heart and really wants to do what’s right, especially for his love. Andrew Grey really knows how to write romance and this one doesn’t disappoint. So why not five stars? For me, the ending seemed rushed. I wanted more details on how things worked out. How they managed to stay out of the police investigations even after the attack on Tucker. Just…more. But, that’s an Andrew Grey story for you. Satisfying ending, but you want more.
Recommendation: If you like your heroes a little on the rough side, this series is a definite buy for you. Great reads and satisfying endings that make you believe in HEA.
Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
This book was so good. I am a huge Andrew Grey fan but this one surprised me. It is a little different in a way with his Main character and his two best friends being ex-mobsters in Wit-Sec. They have been moved from Detroit to Iowa to a tiny little island in the Florida Keys. I think this is one of my favorite series by Andrew Grey IF I had to choose. (they are all amazing), It’s just the different characters, the touch of mystery and danger, and the storylines and plots. Of course, there is another cute kid that steals your heart though I wish he had a bigger role. This is Gerome’s story. He was on the beach one night when he heard a voice, and a man was looking for something. After he left Gerome found a package and was surprised at what he found. As much as he hates this small town and being stuck here, he didn’t want to be moved again or have to worry about what this could mean.
Tucker is homeless and lives in a tent city with a friend Cheryl and her young son. The money from finding what the man had asked him to find would have come in so handy, but then he meets Gerome, and as much to Gerome’s Chagrin he decides to help this small family.
There is a lot going on in this story. You probably could read alone but this series is so good I suggest reading in order. There is a mystery, humor, action and romance, and suspense.
If you like mobsters (ex in this case) Wit-Sec, homeless people, cute kids, and some hot sex you will love this book.
This was the first time I’ve read anything by this author - and I loved it! I’d just stumbled across it in Kindle while looking for a new book once I’d finished the current one. I liked the cover and took a chance and got a sample. I was hooked after the first page.
The blurb says it all, the premise being 3 men are in Witness Protection, keeping everything on the down low, living their new life when one of them witnessed something unusual on the beach by his house late one evening. This starts the wonderful story of a Witness Protection guy and the homeless man he meets that night. And his friend and her 4 year old son. The relationships that are formed are amazing, and now they are also in the middle of a dangerous situation none of them anticipated. But they are all involved now.
There is a beautiful romance right in the middle of all this also. Seems like a whole lot of new things for all, yet at the same time, a quiet new normal as all these new relationships find their own way. I especially admired and adored Tucker, the sweet strong wonderful homeless guy, who meets the big bad Gerome, who had to go into Witness Protection. I have to read the other two books now, can’t wait. The first one is about Richard, this book is the 2nd one about Gerome, and the 3rd one should be out In about a week - about Terrance. I can’t wait for his book! I’m so happy I stumbled across this!
Gerome and his friends are trying to adjust to the quiet life in Witness Protection. Gerome sits on the beach when he notices a suspicious package wash up on the beach after watching two boats meet up together. He picks up the package then noticed a young man walking the shoreline looking for something. Gerome shows and tells his friends about the package. Tucker, the young man who was walking the shoreline, Cheryl and her son, Joshie, are living in a homeless encampment. Tucker is followed home and Gerome steps in to protect him. Is this a mistake? Will this open the door for trouble for Gerome and his friends? This is a story about found family and love. Are Gerome and Tucker willing to take a chance on love or will past trauma be too much? Andrew Grey writes a beautiful story.
Book one introduced us to three former Detroit mobsters in witness protection located in the Florida keys. They were leading law abiding lives working regular jobs and b!ending in. In book one Richard found the love of his life and his four old son in danger with the help of his two other brothers and the witness protection Marshall's everything ended up okay. In this book our second mobster steps in to help the man of his dreams along with a young woman and her four year old son friends of Tucker who also is in a lot of danger. The story is full of suspense, danger, cuteness, melting of former mobster hearts, love and a beautiful HEA.
A pleasant read. Not over-much sex, not too demanding a story. One advantage is that the plot line is significantly different from many other stories in this genre. About three-quarters of the way through these novels, we expect some kind of jeopardy. When it arrives here, it fizzles out before it begins. Much more could have been done with it. The characters are bland but pleasant, despite their alleged backgrounds. It's hard to take this book seriously, but I don't think the author expected that. Perfect for mindless reading.
I have not one criticism about this story. Well maybe one, I didn't want it to end. I need Terrance's happily ever after.
Andrew Grey is an extraordinary writer. If he wrote in the MF genru, he would be on the best seller lists. There is discrimination against MM writers by the main stream media.
The characters in this book are very real. They crawled into my heart and remain there. I love the setting also especial I am from South Florida..
The second book fits in well to the series, with a well crafted storyline, solid character development and some new and multilayered characters added to those from book 1. Good plot development leading the reader in one direction while eventually twisting away to provide a more positive resolution. Ends on a positive promise for the future.
What an amazing beautiful emotional story. Genome and Tucker have the most beautiful love for each other but the road to happiness was rough, a bit scary and well worth it. Let’s not forget the amazing heartwarming HEA!!!
I really wanted to like this more but there were so many plot holes. I know it’s meant to be light reading, but there were so many things that just don’t add up. Not going to put any spoilers here…so I’ll just leave it at that.
Action, Adventure and Heart-throbs! Enjoy how Gerome and Tucker meet, keep secrets and friends safe, remove the bad guys, and savor steamy moments as they fall in love!!!
With a name like this I knew I was in for some fun.
Gerome Meadows is a former Detroit Mobster in Witness Protection down Longboat Key, Florida. He is missing his former exciting life of clubs, men, and money, at least it wasn’t cold Iowa. He and his two best friends were here now, they had broke out of the program to say good bye to Terrance’s mother who died a little bit later, that is how they ended up here, warm, sunny, boring Longboat, Florida. Where they were the top predators in town and nobody knew it.
He used to run the hottest gay nightclubs in Detroit, Richard the man behind the money, he created – as Gerome would later put it – “books that were works of art, and fake as hell.” and Terrence was the muscle that kept everybody else in line. Now he managed a small gift shop, he had never skimmed off the top of anything from that shop. The owner, Betty, had taken a chance on hiring him, and he would never forget that. She was his to protect now. They all kept to the straight and narrow now, Richard was even married with a son. The one thing I would liked to have known was Gerome’s birth name, because that is the name the Marshall’s gave him, though I can understand why it was never mentioned, It was a part of his life that was no more, and Mr. Grey most likely didn’t feel it was relevant to the story (just my curiosity).
Tucker Wells was desperate, when asked to look for a package on the beach by a guy who said he would be paid $300 when he found it, he said yes. But he didn’t find the package, and the guy didn’t believe him. Tucker is living a tent village, homeless, no job, his only friends are Cheryl and her son, Joshie. When the guy from the job comes after him, thinking he is hiding the package, and intending to violence, Gerome is there to stop him. He gets them an apartment across from his (Richard had just moved out and was waiting on the lease to expire) and helps them get jobs. Tucker isn’t sure what to think, but with no where to else to go, they move in.
Paraphrasing from a TV show, “sometimes the best good guys are the bad guys.” A villain can be the best love interest, because a villain will burn down the word to save his love, a hero is bound by ethics. While Gerome is not really a villain, or even a anti-hero, he is a lover who will cross the line to save and protect the ones he loves. And when these men fall in love, oh, they burn up the pages! I loved this book, was hooked from the first sentence, like normal for an Andrew Grey novel. I had a hard time putting it down to get my work down. It is five star read, from beginning to end. I am loving this series, you really need to pick up this book and let the bad boy be worthy of your love.