Title: Say Everything
Series: Mixed Tape Series, Volume #1
Author: Gina A. Rogers
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novelette
Publisher: MLR Press (June 7th, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: Gregory has no problem talking Atari, muscle cars or just plain dirty, but will he be able to open up his heart to Chad and just say everything?
Gregory put his past up for sale on Craigslist. He never expected Chad, a gorgeous black-haired devil, to waltz in and take it all. He doesn’t leave him empty-handed though, giving him friendship and new memories to fill the space. Torn between his past and the chance at a real future, Gregory has to decide if he can let down his defenses and open himself up to the chance of getting hurt again. But Chad isn’t going to wait forever and Gregory only has one chance to convince him to stay, but he’ll have to say everything.
Product Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=GRSAYEVR
Review: This was a very beautiful story. Gregory is a character who suffered a big shock many years ago that shaped his entire life, the event remaining a secret even to his therapist and not letting him move forward and/or create a meaningful relationship with someone. Until Chad came along.
Chad is a character full of life. He barges in Gregory’s life and changes everything. In a matter of months, Gregory has made leap in his struggle to get back at his life, a struggle that is anything but when he’s with Chad. But Chad needs more. The easy-going guy so easy and fun needs Gregory to totally open up to him and let him in his life and heart for good, no longer keeping him at bay when memories of his past hit.
A lovely story with well-developed characters, sexy, hot intimate moments and a plot that was quite easy, funny at times (Gregory comes along as this sexy nerdy type, and ATARI, oh sweet Lord, the memories) and realistic, as well as having a hint of suspense since Gregory’s past is kept a secret till the very end. And even as we suspect exactly what that secret is, it is not heavy and it still creates a tension we expect to explode any moment now as we read it. On top of that it was quite a romantic read and it’s very well written as it doesn’t come along cheesy or sappy, just plain beautiful.
I for one enjoyed this story immensely and I strongly recommend it for fans of romantic reads and a beautifully executed love-story.
P.S. The time frame that the relationship took to blossom was fantastic and made all the difference.