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REVIEW: Double Exposure by Sam Kadence

Title: Double Exposure
Author: Sam Kadence
in Love Has No Boundaries Volume Six
Genre: Young Adult / Gay Romance
Goodreads

My Rating:

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Blurb

A high school boy helping out his aunt on a photo shoot is asked to fill in as a model but as a girl, not a boy. The session leads to a kiss with another boy from school and opens the door to many emotions, dreams, and self-discovery.

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s “Love Has No Boundaries” event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
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My Review

Tory helps out his aunt in her photo studio on the weekends. He is really good at being behind the cameras, but has no interest in being in front of them. One day, Lucas Hart, a very popular teen model from Tory’s high school arrives for a shoot, but the female model doesn’t show up. Tory is asked to fill in as a model, dressing like a girl, and partnering Lucas.

The photo session is successful in many ways. Tory gets a kiss, he is asked out for a date, and most importantly he discovers this and that about himself.

Part of growing up was discovering who I was and that discovery wasn’t always going to be easy.

I loved the reaction of Tory’s parents. They’re amazing. It’s what parents are supposed to do: love their children unconditionally.

“Just be you, Tory. It’s you I love, whatever, whoever, you might be.”

Double Exposure is a nicely written, very sweet story. Highly recommended.

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REVIEW: Forever. I Promise. by Lily Grace

Fan made cover by Exina

Title: Forever. I Promise.
in Love Has No Boundaries Volume Five
Author: Lily Grace
Genre: Young Adult / New Adult / MM Romance
Goodreads

My Rating:

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Blurb

Dear Author,
People always tell me that the chance of finding your true love in high school is pretty slim. Well thank god then that I didn’t meet Patrick in high school; that’s just the time I fell in love with him. We actually met the day we were born, our mothers going in labour the exact same day and us being born just minutes apart from each other. We grew up together, always being at each other’s side, no matter what. So why are people so shocked about us falling in love? Why are they telling us that for us to be close is great but for us to love each other is wrong?

But all this doesn’t matter, because no matter what our families may think, I am never letting him go. I simply cannot live without him and I certainly don’t want to. So even if everybody will turn on us, we’ll be good, because we have each other.

* This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s Love Has No Boundaries event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
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My Review

Another coming-of-age / coming out story in the LHNB collection.

Patrick and Zack were born on the same day, grew up together, were best friends in their whole life.

One day Zack realizes he is not only gay, but practically in love with his best friend. He is overwhelmed and shocked by it.

“Pat… I need to tell you something.” Try as he might, he couldn’t keep the tremble out of his voice.
When Patrick scooted closer and wrapped his arms around him, Zack couldn’t hold back his tears any longer. He cried into Patrick’s shoulder and Patrick just held him tighter.
“Zack, I promise you, if you’ve killed somebody, I’ll help you hide the body.”

Their coming out to each other is sweet and uncomplicated. But when they are outed by accident, their life becomes a nightmare. They have to face exterior problems: bullying and homophobia. Their parents are simply horrible. I know there are people out there like them, it just makes me sad and angry.

Patrick and Zack were wonderful. I loved how rock-steady their relationship was. Their trust and love for each other is beautiful. I don’t even care about the slightly clichéd pairing of a jock and a nerd (and also a blonde and a dark-haired boy) – it seems I meet this one quite often recently.

“We just, we need to figure out what we’re going to do. You’re the smart one. What’re we going to do, Zack?”

Their friends are totally awesome: Brad and Joel make the last couple of months until graduation more bearable for Zack and Pat. With their help they manage to spend some time together safe and undisturbed. They are so freaking cute: even on these rare and precious occasions, Zack helps Patrick to work on his school stuff.

Forever. I Promise. is a gripping, heartbreaking story.

Lily Grace, you are on my radar.

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REVIEW: You and a Billion Blue Tiles by Missy Welsh

Title: You and a Billion Blue Tiles
in Don’t Read in the Closet Volume Three anthology
Author: Missy Welsh
Genre: Young Adult / Gay Romance
Goodreads

My Rating:

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Blurb

Adam Grindall and Lincoln Stone are two 18-year-olds in the final days of their senior year of high school at the Bennington Academy for Young Gentlemen in Upstate New York. Adam is convinced it’s fate that draws him into the showers after a night of studying so he can finally get a chance to be with the guy he’s been crushing on for two years. Lincoln had no idea being with a guy could be more than getting off, but Adam’s definitely more than he ever expected. Can they make it work for more than one night? Can they build the foundation of a relationship that will last for years to come?

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s Hot Summer Days event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
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My Review

It is an enjoyable and sweet MM erotic story, with a little humor.

“It’s not working,” Adam whispered, needing Lincoln to talk and to stop looking so hopeless.
“What?”
“Our psychic connection. You’re going to have to say it out loud.”

I was sure that it would be no more than three stars but the perfect epilogue made it a four-star read for me.

“I am going to have so much fun with you this summer.”
“Definitely,” he said even though he was going to do his best to get to spend the summer, fall, winter, and every other season for a really long time to come with Lincoln.

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