Name: Acceptable Behavior
Series: Marked Men #1
Author: Jenna Byrnes
Genre: Gay Erotic Romance, Contemporary
Length: Novel (172 Pages)
Publisher: Pride Publishing (January 26, 2016)
Heat Rating: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts
Blurb: Tattoos don’t define a person’s character, or make him sexy. But, if you ask Sam Madison, they sure don’t hurt.
Dr. Travis Nelson has a passion for ink but keeps his many tattoos covered by long sleeves and trousers. He’s aware that as a pediatrician he’ll be judged not only by the other physicians in his practice, but also by the parents of his young patients.
When Sam Madison takes his young nephew, Levi, to be seen for an ear infection, he’s immediately attracted to Travis and the feeling is mutual. But Sam’s sister Melanie is going through a rough time and caring for Levi, and covering her obligations, keeps Sam occupied. He feels like he’s in no position to start a relationship.
Travis sees things differently, though he’s unable to truly understand the deep bond and connection Sam shares with his twin. As Melanie’s life goes from bad to worse, Sam is forced to make difficult decisions. Is protecting Levi enough of a reason for the two men to stay together, or will fighting for the child ultimately tear them apart?
ISBN: 978-1-78430-953-4
Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/acceptable-behavior
Reviewer: Lisa
Review: The first thing that caught my attention with this story was the cover and the sexy man on it. Then I saw who was writing it and I knew I had to read it. The title and series name was not only catchy but very tempting. Then I read the blurb and knew for sure that I was going to grab it. Jenna has always been one of my favorite authors with not only the worlds she creates but the interesting plots that she comes up with.
Sam moved in with his twin after her boyfriend went to prison for drugs. He only moved in to help her and his nephew, but realized that it was not going as well as he had wanted. Melanie is a drug head and very verbally abusive to him. She doesn’t deserve to be a mother that is for sure. However Sam has no clue what to do. Then he meets a sexy doctor who is as arrogant and bossy as no one would expect.
Travis took one look at Sam, when he brought in his nephew and the attraction was immediate and very hot. He notices that Sam has some family issues but not to the extent until he meets Mel. He knows that he has to take charge to get this family back in order and to keep his man.
My issue was with the way the guys were together. First off Sam is a little too weak in my opinion but Travis is the one that I didn’t connect with either. He was heavy handed, intense and somewhat of an asshat in my opinion. He took control right out of Sam’s hands but then again Sam was too whiny about his twin. I couldn’t connect with either character but did love the boy quite a bit. This story just didn’t do anything for me, other than wanting to throw it out the window. For the first time I have found a book by Jenna that I didn’t care for.
For the first time I am going to repeat something someone else said about a book. It was very heavy with adjectives that kind of screwed the book up a bit. Travis tells Sam what he is to do and that is it, there is no discussion what so ever. Then there is the slapping scene which is a no for me on all levels. Then the ending with the grandparents, it was like it was just added in there for props. I am afraid that this book just didn’t do it for me.
However I do hope that the next book is a bit better.