Saturday, October 19, 2019

Starting from Scratch (Starting From #2) by Lane Hayes ~ Book Review

#BookReview #TBR #giveaway #excerpt #AvailableNow #MMRomance #Bisexual #Review #NewRelease #Enemies2lovers #HurtComfort #OppositesAttract #RockStarRomance #Bookaholic #BookLovers #bookblogger #blogpost




Title: Starting From Scratch
Series: Starting From, #2
Author: Lane Hayes
Publisher: Lane Hayes
Release Date: October 17, 2019
Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 80k
Genre: Romance, Bisexual, Enemies to lovers, Rock and roll, Hurt-comfort, Opposites attract

Add to Goodreads



Synopsis

Charlie Rourke is an ultra fabulous human whirlwind on a mission to launch the next biggest band in the world. However, he might have taken on more than he could handle when he signed on to manage Zero. Promoting a rock band and finding gigs shouldn’t be hard. They’re a talented group with a ton of star power. If Charlie can find the right record label, he’s sure he can help them get to the next level. The only problem is the skater boy slash bassist with a quirky sense of humor. He’s annoying and silly, and he’s exactly Charlie’s type. Except he’s straight.

Ky Baldwin isn’t afraid to switch things up. He loves a challenge as much as anyone, but Charlie doesn’t make things easy. Zero’s manager is a force of nature with a razor sharp tongue, a quick wit, and a no-nonsense attitude. Ky can’t stop thinking about him. Winning over Charlie becomes Ky’s pet project. But when the ice between them thaws, neither is prepared for the intensity of going from enemies to lovers. They’ll have to decide if they’re willing to start from scratch and take a chance on the unexpected.





What's hotter than watching two people fight the chemistry that is between them. I mean really it's like total foreplay for when they finally come together and that is exactly what we have with Charlie and Ky. These two men are so different from one another, yet they are a lot alike when it comes to relationships and their fears and this has to do with the way they were both raised.

Charlie is out and loud and proud and a whirlwind of energy always on the go, always needing to do something. Where Ky is more laid back which is true to his surfer dude looks and charm. They are sort of a yin and yang when it comes to fitting together. You wouldn't look at them and think they make sense but once you see them together and feel their energy and pull you'll get it.

There is quite a bit of angst in this story but not so much that it took away from the budding relationship of Ky and Charlie although they did have their moments. This was a fun, sexy read that occasionally got a bit emotional, nothing over the top though, so I'd keep tissues around but you may not need them.

I am really enjoying getting to know all of the men in the band ZERO and I look forward to reading all of their books.

This is an easy book to recommend to lovers of MM Romance that enjoy the Rockstar trope as well, and even if you don't like Rockstars I would still suggest you give it a read because these guys are more than just their careers.

Happy Reading!!!


Excerpt


“I know that was random, but it’s not a
bad idea if you think about it. Want something to drink?” Charlie asked as he
moved toward the kitchen.

I grabbed his wrist before he got
anywhere. “Hang on. What are you doing?”

He cocked his head curiously but didn’t
pull away. “I’m being practical. If you read any further about Virgos you
probably found out we’re known for being sensible. And polite. So, I’m politely
asking if you’d like a beverage while sensibly suggesting that I help out with
your skating lessons.”

“Okay. First up…I don’t want a fuckin’
snack and second, it’s not a skating lesson. We’re skateboarding,” I said,
glowering at him.

“I’ve heard it said both ways. Skating,
skateboarding. I looked it up in Urban Dictionary too, so I’m pretty sure I’m
right.”

“No. There’s something in your tone that
makes it all wrong. Like you’re purposely trying to sabotage this.”

Charlie opened his mouth in a perfect O.
“Gasp! I wouldn’t do that!”

“Cut the crap. You’re doing it now. You
don’t want to learn, and you don’t want Oliver to either. It’s a control thing.
But you can’t control what you don’t fuckin’ get. So take a seat and let me
teach him without you freaking out or—why are you looking at me like that?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. You’re doing something
weird with your eyes, though. You look spaced out.”

“Mmm. I’m trying not to swoon. You look
so fierce and you’re holding my hand, Ky. You should feel my heart. It’s
beating out of my chest. Seriously.” He fluttered his lashes a few times and
bit his bottom lip.

I chuckled softly and stepped closer.
“Are you flirting with me, Char?”

“No, it’s the other way around. You’re
flirting with me. Big macho displays really get my motor running. Medium-sized
ones do too. I love it when…”

Okay, so I lost myself. I tuned out the
sound of his voice and concentrated on him. The mischievous glint in his eyes,
the proud set of his shoulders, and the way his mouth curled at the corner. He
was doing it again. Owning the moment. Taking it over. Charlie looked for
weakness in any form, then slyly made adjustments before moving in for the
kill. No doubt he thought I’d back down fast and run away. I wasn’t going
anywhere.

I fixated on his bottom lip and inched
closer. He kept talking…something about dick size or muscles…I wasn’t sure, but
I liked the cadence of his voice. The teasing lilt and easy humor. I let go of
his wrist, brushing his fingers before setting my hand on his hip. He went
perfectly still.

Before he could ask me what the fuck I
was doing, I kissed him.

It was more of a press of lips than a
grand gesture. And though it might not rank as the kind of kiss that would
change the world, I immediately knew it would change mine.

Everything in me went on high alert. I’d
never been so in tune with a moment. The flutter of his eyelashes, the brush of
his nose, and the soft sweetness of his lips against mine. Fuck, it was
amazing. Like mind-blowing amazing. He tasted like cherries and smelled like
sunshine mixed with something exotic.

I couldn’t be sure over the roar of my
heart attempting to beat its way out of my chest, but I thought he hummed in
approval, so I angled my head slightly to deepen the connection and pulled him
closer. If he was anyone else, I probably would have stuck my tongue between
his lips and let my hands roam all over his body. I wanted to, but I didn’t
want to scare either of us. So I stayed where I was until the need for oxygen
became an issue.

Then I jumped back two feet and stared
at him with my eyes bugged out. “Holy fuck.”

Charlie set his fingers on his bottom
lip and blinked like he was coming out of a daze. “You kissed me,” he said
softly.


Purchase at Amazon


 Book #1 Starting From Zero is currently .99 on Amazon


Meet the Author

Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and won First Prize in the 2016 and 2017 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.


Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram



Giveaway






No comments:

Post a Comment