Title: Shifting Gears
Series: Crossroads, #2
Author: Riley Hart
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 322 pages
Publisher: Riley Hart (February 08, 2016)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5 Hearts
Blurb: Rod Nelson is used to being someone’s good time, and that’s fine with him. Spending his days at his adult toy store, Rods-N-Ends, he never knows who he’ll meet. The second Landon Harrison walks in, he has Rod’s full attention. It seems as if Landon wants him too, so why won’t the man jump in the sack with him already?
Landon never thought he’d return home to the town where memories lurk around every corner. He has to admit, Rod makes the adjustment a lot easier. He keeps Landon laughing. Despite the fierce attraction between them, he’s not willing to risk his newfound friendship to get laid.
Neither man wants something serious, but the more they’re together, the harder it is to keep their hands to themselves, until eventually they stop trying.
But flings between friends are never simple, and as they attempt to shift gears, diving into their first relationship, they’re slammed with setbacks. If they want to truly move forward, before they hit the open road together, they’re going to have to let go of a past that could make them crash and burn.
ISBN: 9781524252625
Product Link: http://amzn.to/1L4Hl0B
Reviewer: Lisa
Review: Each book in the Crossroads collection features a different romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.
Every once in a while there is a story that even though it is funny as hell, it hides a darker side to it. This is one of those stories. Each guy has felt more than just a bit of heartache and pain. They try to work around it, but they don’t really do anything but cover it up. They focus on the past and never understand that their future is depending on the choices you make. Whether it is sex or something harsher, it just covers your scars.
This story like I hinted is full of humor but there is that serious tone underneath and I absolutely thought that this author pulled it all out. The words just flowed off the pages and made it come alive for me. What made it more interesting is remembering how Nick and Bryce had met Rod.
How they came into his store and how Rod made it more fun. They knew that there was something hidden inside of Rod that made him act like he is always happy. Every time he was in pain or wanted to change something he brought up sex. Which is what he did when he first met Landon.
Landon had left home as soon as he was able, never wanting to come back. However with his sister getting married he knew he would have to give it a chance. Especially since his sister was worried about their mother. His father and mother fought like cats and dogs, until his dad walked out never to come back. He felt like relationships were all going to turn out like his families. He felt like he would be abandoned once more.
Whereas Rod felt like he would never be able to be loved. His father had told him he was a disgusting man, and he felt it deep down to the core. Then they realize that they want each other, but it is fun to watch them figure it out. These two are hot.
This story felt real and the characters were friends that I knew. The words mean more in this story than most do. The power you can feel behind them. The story caught my attention and kept it all the way to the end. It was like I was right there with them going through it all. It came off very fluid throughout the whole story. It was fully developed and the descriptions were perfect.
I had a lot fun reading this and look forward to seeing Riley’s next story. The only complain I had was that there was no cover for me to look at, so that brought it down just a bit for me. (*Pixie shrugs* It was an ARC! **note to readers** Please share the cover of Shifting Gears with Lisa so she’ll stop pouting ~Pixie~). I wanted to see the guys and I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t get the chance.
However the story itself rocked for me and I would definitely recommend it.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *