Burnt Reflections by J. Roman

BurntReflectionsLGTitle: Burnt Reflections

Series: N/A

Author: J. Roman

Genre: Contemporary/Coming Out

Length: Novel (152 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (November 19, 2014)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5

Blurb: For Scotty Riesen, hiding his sexuality in Ma’s Trick, Louisiana hasn’t been easy, given his secret relationship with his next-door neighbor, football star, and fellow closet case, Jean Lafitte. One night he decides that living in the closet is no way to go through life. He comes out, but he isn’t prepared for the backlash from his parents and friends.

Scotty takes a bus to New Orleans to make a new life for himself. Playing janitor and dancing boy at the gay bar Burnt Reflections is a lot better than living on the street, but he can’t forget Jean Lafitte no matter how many men throw themselves at him.

Despite everything, Jean Lafitte may yet prove just how far he’s willing to go to make a relationship with Scotty work. Traveling down to New Orleans to find Scotty is just the start of a courtship that won’t be stopped by anything less than a Louisiana hurricane.

ISBN # 9781632162601

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5698

Reviewer: Gigi

Review: I really love this kind of story. Plenty of drama, angst, struggle, and two great role models for Scotty and Jean to learn from and find shelter with.

Burnt Reflections is the name of the bar where Scotty finds refuge after he finds himself fleeing from home, hatred, betrayal, and abuse. I, like Scotty, thought Butch and Tony might be too good to be true, but the owners of the bar pulled through.

Bitch and Tony are two gay partners who run a bar together. Butch is the softhearted bear who takes in strays, and Tony is the tough bouncer who worries that his lover will get burned by his generous heart.

To back up a little, the general theme of this story is all about coming out, feeling the rejection of family, being betrayed by a closeted first love and doing the only thing you can to survive…flee…to an unknown future in a dangerous world for someone so young and inexperienced.

What I love most about this story is that it contains an important element in any life journey, mentors and heroes who provide a safe, informed environment for a young person do discover who he is, make a few mistakes, and grow into a strong man. Maybe it’s the mother in me.

The sexual content is raw, honest, and intimate. I feel like Burnt Reflections could easily become another series though the story stands alone, I want to follow these guys further.

A wonderful read by J. Roman. I highly recommend.