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reviews_and_ramblings
In the Middle of Somewhere by Roan ParrishGay Contemporary Romance
Paperback: 350 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (July 10, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1634762126
ISBN-13: 978-1634762120
Amazon: In the Middle of Somewhere
Amazon Kindle: In the Middle of Somewhere
Daniel Mulligan is tough, snarky, and tattooed, hiding his self-consciousness behind sarcasm. Daniel has never fit in―not at home in Philadelphia with his auto mechanic father and brothers, and not at school where his Ivy League classmates looked down on him. Now, Daniel’s relieved to have a job at a small college in Holiday, Northern Michigan, but he’s a city boy through and through, and it’s clear that this small town is one more place he won’t fit in.
Rex Vale clings to routine to keep loneliness at bay: honing his muscular body, perfecting his recipes, and making custom furniture. Rex has lived in Holiday for years, but his shyness and imposing size have kept him from connecting with people.
When the two men meet, their chemistry is explosive, but Rex fears Daniel will be another in a long line of people to leave him, and Daniel has learned that letting anyone in can be a fatal weakness. Just as they begin to break down the walls keeping them apart, Daniel is called home to Philadelphia, where he discovers a secret that changes the way he understands everything.
This was a treat to read! For a debutante, this book was truly well written! The writing was smooth and excellent. The characters were developed with careful precision allowing the reader to become part of the story. This could very easily be turned into a movie. I swear, I can see it happening. A job well done! I will definitely be looking out for more from this author.
I really enjoyed this debut book. The MCs were lovingly shown and the setting was perfect. I don't know Michigan at all, but Roan's writing brought it to life and I want to go there now! What lost a perfect score here was the rather lecturing feel to descriptions of university life and Daniel's job. It felt like a bit of an info dump at times, and more information than we needed. Unless you're fascinated by academia, those passages won't work well.
Wonderful characters and a simple but emotional plot kept me engaged in this book from beginning to end.
A well-written and engaging story with characters who are easy to love. Daniel in particular is well-drawn, as a guy whose past struggles make him expect to be constantly judged, and to have to fight for everything. It was fun to watch a big sweet man like Rex work to get past the prickly walls Daniel has built around his heart.
