Monday, February 10, 2014

[ARC Review]: "No Such Thing"

No Such Thing by A.M. Arthur
Publisher: Carina Press (February 17, 2014) 
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance



Twenty-two-year-old Alessandro Silva knows that returning to tiny Perch Creek to help his foster mother was the right thing to do. With no degree and a delinquent's reputation, he's lucky to have landed a job waiting tables. But not everyone is happy he's back, and the only thing keeping his move home from being a total bust is his boss's hot brother.

Jaime Winters spent most of his life watching the world go by, first from a series of hospitals and then from behind big stacks of textbooks. Studying is easier than facing the fact that years of heart failure means he's still a virgin at twenty-three. Until the new waiter in his sister's diner awakens desires he'd long ago given up on.

The last thing Alessandro wants is to fall for someone as fragile as Jaime. And Jaime may have a new heart, but he's scared of what giving it to another person would mean. Their no-strings-attached, instructional approach to sex keeps emotion safely at bay, until a secret from Alessandro's past forces them to confront their feelings in the present...


Where to Buy*:
 KindleNOOK | ARe
More Info:


My Review:



Well, it's official; I have dipped my toes into the m/m genre, something I never thought I would do. I have to tell you, I really like it! Now, I'm not going to be giving up my “traditional” romances, ever, but now that I know good m/m can be found, I'll be revisiting this genre again.


I blame my change of heart on Brigid Kemmerer's YA paranormal, SECRET, which I recently read and loved. While talking to other readers, finding some recommendations, and digging through GR and Amazon, I came across A.M. Arthur. After reading a few reviews, I felt like this might be a good place to start. It was my lucky day when I found No Such Thing up on NG! I can honestly say that I am very glad I requested this title!


I liked Ale and Jaime, they were the perfect mix of sweet and sexy, both as individual characters, and, of course, as a couple. I loved the chemistry and growing connection between them as well.



“Hey, honey.” A tall, beefy man wearing a black leather jacket appeared in front of Jaime. “You got any Irish in you?”

Jaime blinked. “Um, no. I don't think so.”

The man leaned in, eyes glinting, breath humid and reeking of beer. “Would you like some Irish in you tonight, laddie?”

“Huh?”

Alessandro slid his arm around Jaime's shoulders. “I think 
he'd rather have some Brazil nuts tonight.”





It may not be a new line, but I still snorted at this scene!


No Such Thing was very sexy and there was plenty of heat between these two young men. The scene at the gay bar was both fun and extremely hot, as was the scene at Ezra's house right after that. I'll admit, I was kind of hoping that particular scene would have gone a bit further, but I can see now that Jaime and Ale have plenty of time to experiment, if they both wish to; right now it's about the two of them.


There's a few issues in town, including a few fights with the local idiots who hate gays, which helped to add some tension to the book.


My only complaint? The ending felt a bit too quick, and left me hanging.



“You know how when all this started between us, I said no expectations, no promises?”

Jaime's eyebrows arched. “I did make one promise, as I recall.”

“If I ever do something you don't like, you tell me.”

“I remember. I'm still holding you to that one, in all aspects of our relationship, not just sex.”

“Deal.”

“And I'm adding another.”

“Okay.”

Alessandro couldn't help a quick glance around the lobby. No one was paying them any attention, so he leaned closer and lowered his voice. “I promise to take care of your heart, if you promise to take care of mine.”




Seriously, who wouldn't melt a little after hearing that?


I enjoyed No Such Thing, and finished it very quickly. I will definitely be trying more books by this author, and in fact I can't wait to see what book 2 will be like!


If, like me, you are tempted to try some m/m romances, I would suggest picking up No Such Thing. I'm not an expert on the genre, but I can tell you this: I loved following this cute couple, through the good and the bad.



4 STARS! 

~ * ~ * ~

I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion.

*Note: The quotes used belong to A.M. Arthur; TBQ's Book Palace do not claim them.

~ * ~ * ~


I had a blast reading this book, and I am so glad that I found this author -- I will be reading her books again. Already, I'm anxious for Ezra's story . . . *shivers*


Again, if M/M is not your thing, no problem, come back tomorrow for a different post to comment on! But if you already love the genre, or you are interested in giving it a try, I highly suggest this fun, sexy, and yet very sweet, romance!





Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


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  *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

6 comments :

Wickedly Delicious said...

I am liking Alessandro he seems like he is a sweetheart with some humor. "He'd rather have some Brazil nuts tonight" LOL. Great review.

The_Book_Queen said...

Oh, he is! I highly recommend this one! :)

Jennifer said...

It is always nice to see someone try a new genre especially my guilty pleasure--M/M romance! This is a great (and thorough) review and I already bought the book because of it. If you ever need any M/M recommendations, don't hesitate to contact me.

The_Book_Queen said...

:) Ah, thanks, Jennifer! I will definitely hold you to that; I have no doubt I'll be reading many, many M/M romances this year!

I hope you enjoy Ale and Jaime's story as much as I did!

Enjoy,

TBQ

The_Book_Queen said...

:D You are very welcome! It was long overdue to be popped! :D Hehe
Enjoy,
TBQ

A.M. Arthur said...

Thank you for the review! I'm so pleased to have been the one to pop your m/m cherry! Happy reading!