Hard Candy Bend or Break, Book 7 (Audible Audio Edition) Amy Jo Cousins, Cooper North, Insatiable Press Books
Download As PDF : Hard Candy Bend or Break, Book 7 (Audible Audio Edition) Amy Jo Cousins, Cooper North, Insatiable Press Books
How to get over someone? Get under someone else - as soon as possible.
Vincent Lim always assumed his best friend (and occasional hookup) Austin would be waiting for him - that eventually they'd end up together. But now that Austin's in love with another man, Vinnie is at a loss.
After the world's most awkward one-night stand with a dance major, Vinnie knows the drill. Minimize the embarrassment by pretending they've never met. Yet Bryan's vibrant spirit and calm center lure Vinnie like a shelter from an emotional storm.
But Vinnie's thrown off his game by the rest of Bryan's total package. Vinnie's a rowing jock with a single-minded focus on living up to his parents' academic and social expectations. Bryan might as well be outfitted with glittery butterfly wings - with plenty of pride to match. Vinnie's haphazard attention to a lover won't cut it this time.
Physically, they can match each other stroke for booty pop. But for the lovers to meet on common ground, they'll have to find a way to get moving in the same direction.
Warning Contains one uptight rower, a dancer who can rock a skirt like nobody's business, yoga lessons, and the benefits of being very bendy.
Hard Candy Bend or Break, Book 7 (Audible Audio Edition) Amy Jo Cousins, Cooper North, Insatiable Press Books
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Hard Candy Bend or Break, Book 7 (Audible Audio Edition) Amy Jo Cousins, Cooper North, Insatiable Press Books Reviews
This is the 7th book in a larger series and probably best enjoyed after reading LOVE ME LIKE A ROCK (Bend or Break #6).
Vincent Lim is a rower, worry-wort and dedicated student. He's never had time for a boyfriend and only occasionally hooked up with his bestie, Austin, when he had a night to spare getting drunk and laid, in that order. This wasn't enough of a commitment for Austin who found a real boyfriend in LOVE ME LIKE A ROCK. Vinnie's now left out, naturally, and, in one of his weaker moments attempts a drunken hook-up with Bryan, a flamboyant, out-gay, femme dancer in their college. He's a sweet and sassy mix, this Bryan, and he's got an aloofness that intrigues Vinnie.
Vinnie has never pictured himself with anyone who wasn't like himself, really. Sure, he liked Austin, but he truly felt Austin was a bit flaky, I think. Bryan is not a man to be set on the shelf. Vinnie doesn't want to like him, but he is drawn to Bryan's vulnerability, and his steadfastness. Also, they are more of a match than Austin and Vinnie ever were when it comes to sexual compatibility. Vinnie relishes the closeness and sensuality of his experiences with Bryan, which are mutually satisfying without all the "mess" of sex.
I liked how Vinnie continued to challenge himself regarding his fledgling relationship with Bryan. He knows that he has to work at it, and soon finds that it's not actually work at all to spend time with such a compassionate man. They develop an intimacy that is comfortable with companionship. Vinnie has plenty of moments to distance himself from Bryan, and he chooses to step closer, even when it catapults him outside of his comfort zone. Introductions to friends, teammates, and family are riddled with danger, and yet, Vinnie avoids almost all the missteps he'd have made with Austin. His growth as a character was exceptional, and it was clear that Bryan neither expected nor demanded this to occur, though there is a bit of trouble over Bryan's continued harassment at the hands of some homophobic students. Vinnie's commitment to being a real partner to Bryan is what makes this story fantastic.
Also, I really enjoyed the inclusion of different cultures here. Bryan is black and Vincent is Korean-American--the expectations, and acceptance, of their families are very different. That was well-demonstrated here, and, while a bit heartbreaking, was also poignant and real. Great story!
I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.
This book kind of overlaps or picks right up after Love Me Like A Rock. Austin has moved on and now Vinnie is left wondering where that leaves him. He goes on a binge and wakes up with a beautiful stranger. That’s really not Vinnie’s thing so he’s left feeling awkward and hungover. Once Vinnie escapes and recuperates, he can’t get the guy off his mind. He seeks him out with the lame excuse of returning a tshirt. Vinnie is surprised when that same lust takes over him. Again not a reaction he’s used to. Bryan is flamboyant and unapologetic about it. Vinnie used to have to get drunk to make a move on Austin. Vinnie is uptight and works too hard. He’s very scheduled and focused. Bryan is more of a free spirit. They’re basically opposites but they find a nice balance being together.
I think the best part about this book is the character development. I didn’t ever really get the idea that Vinnie was brokenhearted after Austin fell for another guy. To me it seemed more like a convenient piece of his life was removed. And that’s something Vinnie hadn’t considered happening before. Vinnie never wanted Austin the way he wants Bryan. This helps him strive to be the type of guy that’s good for Bryan. A good friend and lover. Vinnie is the type to enjoy his solitude. Bryan is a loner type. He’s chosen to be himself no matter what others may think of him. This has brought on some problems in his past. He’s endured getting beat up and called names. So Bryan refuses to tone it down for anyone. There were times when he even pushes his behavior over the top just for reactions. He’s just so used to people thinking he’s this shiny creature they want to be around at first, only to want him to tamp it down later. So he has his own hang ups.
For me their relationship was a good give and take in the beginning. Once they officially became a thing, it felt a little like one of those one sided relationships. It seemed like Vinnie was going out of his way or comfort zone to be the perfect boyfriend. Which is and isn’t Vinnie. Vinnie has never been in a relationship. He has no idea what he’s doing but he’s good at guessing what what Bryan needs. There just seemed to be a point where Bryan was expecting quite a bit from Vinnie. Bryan is vibrant and passionate. Vinnie isn’t. I just felt he wasn’t always understanding of Vinnie’s feelings and hangups.
So I liked this book. Not quite as much as some of the others. I thought the book was sweet and sexy. I liked the characters most of the time. They each had their own issues to work out. I liked how Bryan was able to help Vinnie relax. Even if it was with LOTS of yoga. And sometimes sex. I’m glad Vinnie found his someone and Bryan is able to have a support system through Vinnie’s group of friends. A happy ending for all. I didn’t see any new set ups for possible new couples coming up so I have no idea where this series will take us next. The row boys may be done. Unless Boomer is secretly gay or bi?
Liked it. )
I loved it and can't wait for the next installment in the series. In previous books Vinnie wasn't very likable but you got to see more of what's going on with him in this book.
Vinnie is at a loss once his friend and sometimes lover Austin falls in love with Sean. Vinnie meets Bryan and, despite Bryan's wall around his heart, the two begin to find their way together. Great story, and I got to see more of Austin and Sean, so double win! I highly recommend this series and this author.
More great character development and diversity within this series. And another couple I would like to see again. It seems they were just figuring things out by the end, and the hard part was yet to continue.
I also like that these characters again cross the "standard" depiction of young gay men.
Great series. Read them all from the beginning...you won't be sorry!
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