There's Something About Ari (Bluewater Bay, #2) in Riptide Publishing

Oct 23, 2014 Shirley Frances rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2-review, reviewed, glbt, mm-read, mm-series, 2014

Buck Ellis leads a simple life--taking care of his younger brother, going to work and merely going through the motions. His sole focus is making sure to keep his brother at his side, regardless of his dreams and aspirations. But his ordinary existence is about to get a bit complicated when his teenage crush and one time best friend, Ari, moves in next door.

Buck never forgot the young man he spent his youth with or the feelings he once felt towards him. But Buck hasn't allowed himself to feel an Buck Ellis leads a simple life--taking care of his younger brother, going to work and merely going through the motions. His sole focus is making sure to keep his brother at his side, regardless of his dreams and aspirations. But his ordinary existence is about to get a bit complicated when his teenage crush and one time best friend, Ari, moves in next door.

Buck never forgot the young man he spent his youth with or the feelings he once felt towards him. But Buck hasn't allowed himself to feel anything in years and having Ari popping in his life at every turn soon has him a complete mess.

The one thing I loved most about this story were the characters. At just a little over 90 pages of content, L.B. Gregg does a fantastic job of bringing these characters to life. We get to know Buck and Ari's history as young men, how their connection grew through the years and the pain their sudden separation caused in both of them.

I came to understand Buck's hesitancy in letting Ari into his life once again, but it broke my heart to see him so conflicted. Especially since his feelings towards Ari ran so deep. I would have loved to experience Ari's side of the story first hand since I believe that his turmoil over leaving and keeping his distance would have added a lot more to the story. However, the author managed to give me more than a glimpse into his personality and his feelings towards Buck, which quelled my curiosity.

Through the use of honest and often heated interactions, L.B. Gregg provided insight into the connection Buck and Ari shared and how deeply their feelings for one another truly were. I enjoyed Ari's easy manner and charming personality but I loved it when he was direct and confronted Buck about his actions and feelings. I especially enjoyed it when they both just let go and gave in. It was hot and sweet and in my opinion, way too short of an encounter.

All in all, a sweet second chance story and a great addition to the Bluewater Bay universe.

*I received a copy of this title through NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion. ...more

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Jun 14, 2014 Leanne rated it really liked it

Shelves: mm, romance, unrequited, autobuy-author, too-short, sweet, slow-burn, second-chance, lovely, made-me-smile

3.5 stars

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Apr 08, 2015 Mtsnow13 rated it liked it

Shelves: m-m, romance, contemporary, series-read, less-than-100-pages, artist-actor, riptide, own-read, rgr-reviews

L.B. Gregg has always been a favorite author of mine. I most enjoyed her Men of Smithfield series, and the bits of humor she always threw into each story. They were even more fun as audiobooks. Then there are her Romano and Albright series, which always made me picture Leonardo Dicaprio in ‘Catch Me If You Can’. Very fun series.

This particular book, though, was a quick, feel-good read that left me wanting for more. I felt like the blurb actually delivered a bit more background than the actual st L.B. Gregg has always been a favorite author of mine. I most enjoyed her Men of Smithfield series, and the bits of humor she always threw into each story. They were even more fun as audiobooks. Then there are her Romano and Albright series, which always made me picture Leonardo Dicaprio in ‘Catch Me If You Can’. Very fun series.

This particular book, though, was a quick, feel-good read that left me wanting for more. I felt like the blurb actually delivered a bit more background than the actual story did. I like the location set in the rainy Pacific Northwest, and the fact everyone seems to wear rain boots as regular attire, especially if you’re a local. I have to admit I have already read a few other Bluewater Bay stories, and they all can be read out of order easily. I’m late to the game on this one, even though it is labeled as #2 in the series.

What intrigued me most about this one was the potential for more ethnic diversity, which the name ‘Ari’ teased at. Note, I say ‘potential’, as it didn’t pan out like I’d hoped. What we ended up with was a fairly surface short story with two young boys that had been thrown together in their Cub Scouts/ADHD elementary school youth, become instant best friends, only to be yanked apart just as they were entering adulthood. Nothing about ethnic diversity. And nothing in the current day to explain what they enjoyed so much about each other.

The storylines following both characters had potential and would’ve played out better in my mind if they had been expanded on rather than thrown into this short story format, but the ending and the tiny bit of drama did make for a fairly happy conclusion. And I did like the little homeless kitten, Sunshine. It was sweet how she was thrown into the story, to be found behind the coffee shop, and how Buck had been able to raise his brother to be a kind, accepting and compassionate person who would want to care for such a little wee thing. I just wish the story had been expanded on rather than everything only hinted at.

The idea of Hollywood ‘star’ Ari coming back to Bluewater Bay, instantly buying a house next door to Buck with the hope to get back with the love of his youth was a little farfetched, but made for good hometown and rag sheet gossip material. And the promising young academic with a full ride scholarship settling into only working at a coffee shop to raise his younger brother, well, there was definitely a feeling of self-sacrifice going on.

I think, in my mind, due to the short number of pages, well it felt as if there was a compilation of tragedies conveniently allowing each of the MCs to ‘instantly’ forgive and forget rather than build on anything new, since they hadn’t seen each other in 5 years.

But, all in all, Bluewater Bay is a fairytale community full of happily ever after gay couples, and these two fit right in with the rest.

I’m enjoying the series and say this one adds another layer to the community at large. Recommended for those that would like a light, happy read with very little angst within a short number of pages. ...more

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