Title: Stuck in Oz
Series: Tales from Kansas, #2
Author: Andrew Grey
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novel (176 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (April 30th 2014)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: When Jeremy and Petey’s mother died, their house was taken to pay the debts she left behind, leaving them homeless. Afraid Petey will be put in foster care, they have no one to turn to but their Uncle Milt, so they pack up Jeremy’s beat-up car and leave San Diego for Wamego, Kansas.
They arrive in the middle of a snowstorm and stop at the local diner to contact their uncle, where they meet Nate. Nate and his aunt help them contact Uncle Milt, and he agrees to help.
Jeremy and Nate hit it off quickly, but Jeremy runs when he’s made to believe their new home isn’t permanent. Nate goes after him, finds him, and convinces him that he’s wanted. However, just as Jeremy and Nate begin to trust each other, Petey’s estranged father appears and threatens to tear Jeremy’s new life and fledgling family apart.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4921
Review: Jeremy and his little brother Petey lost their mother recently and are now travelling across country with little to no money and everything they own in boxes in the back seat of the car. They’ve never had a relationship with their uncle Milt, but he is the only family they have left now, and Jeremy has nowhere else to go. So he’s packed up and headed for Kansas in hopes his uncle will take them in.
Milt didn’t even know his sister had another son, little Petey, until Jeremy and Petey show up at the local diner asking to stay with him. Milt had a falling out with his family long ago when he came out, so he didn’t get to be an active part of her or the boys’ lives. With his sister gone, the only connection he has left to her are her sons. It’s a little shaky to start, but soon Milt, Jeremy and Petey bond.
Nate is not technically in the closet, but he’s not waving his flag proudly either. He’s immediately drawn to the young, naive newcomer and does his best to make sure Jeremy is aware of the attraction. Jeremy isn’t blind, but he’s very leery of acting on his sexuality after growing up with his homophobic mother who cut off all contact with her own brother after he came out. Nate is patient though and slowly works his way under Jeremy’s resolve with sweat endearments, flowers, and dates. But someone from Jeremy and Petey’s life back in California has found them, and threatens to destroy the foundation they are building in Kansas.
Two words, Andrew Grey. That is really all you need to know in order to want to buy and read this book. Just sayin’. But I’ll elaborate. Grey is one of the best writers in the genre, that is for sure. And I think the reason is he is ever evolving with his writing. He always brings in three-dimensional characters that are flawed and live in the real world with problems and issues much like we all face in our daily lives. They are easily relatable and the reader cannot help but get invested with the people he writes about. With this particular story, less is more is what worked best.
Jeremy and Nate aren’t the sexiest couple I’ve read, but they are very passionate and sensual. Their relationship is young, fresh, and beautiful so an erotic storyline for them wouldn’t have worked as well. I am all for the hot and heavy, don’t get me wrong, but the obvious inexperience they exude mixed with Nate’s confidence and aggression and Jeremy’s naiveté make for such a beautiful story. The story flowed well and kept my interest throughout and the characters were endearing, I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend you read it. I’m quite excited and anticipating Milt and Luke’s story! Write faster, Andrew!!