Review by Macky
TITLE: Finding Shelter
SERIES: Rock Bay Series
BOOK: Three
AUTHOR: M.J. O’Shea
SUMMARY: Justin Foster has nineteen years of nothing but trouble behind him. After escaping his abusive father, he finds himself in Rock Bay, Washington, with his cousin Travis. Justin is bruised and has a hard time trusting, but with the help of his family and the small town, he might be able to heal.
Logan O’Brien is also new in town, hoping he can finally get away from his past and the memories of the girlfriend who shattered his heart. It doesn’t take him long to realize Rock Bay can be more than safe harbor: it can also be home. And for the first time in his life, he finds himself captivated by a man—by Justin.
Justin is attracted to Logan too, but he’s also wary. Physically, Logan reminds him a bit too much of the closeted jerks who used to beat him up after school. But after one awkwardly amazing kiss, he’s smitten, despite how his past and insecurities continue to haunt him. Logan’s love, faith, and stubbornness are just what Justin needs to believe their love is worth fighting for.
REVIEW:
From the moment I picked up Finding Shelter I knew I was on to a winner. I’ve been a massive fan of M. J even since I read her co-authored works with Piper Vaughn. So when she started writing the Rock Bay series, it was a no-brainer purchase. Book One Lex and Tally’s story ( Coming Home ) was my favourite and stayed in pole position after reading book 2, Mason and Drew’s tale ( Letting Go ) which I also enjoyed, but Logan and Justin’s story has just taken pride of place and is now número uno in the whole series, just for the fact that it had me feeling all tingly and smiley from the moment that gorgeous Logan set eyes on the lovely sweet Justin.
Logan is probably one of the nicest MC’s I’ve come across in M/M genred books. He’s kind, patient, loving, protective and…… straight! Having just finished a long term relationship with his ex-girlfriend he’s living with his best friend Mason, who’s now in a committed relationship with his new boyfriend Drew (characters from Rock Bay: Book 2). Not having a homophobic bone in his body, Logan is very touchy-feely, a tactile
“hugging” person and everyone, male or female, gets the same treatment.
Justin is small, bit girlish by looks owing to his pretty features and long straight hair. He’s scared of his own shadow. A not-so-happy home-life and having an abusive alcoholic father who hates him because he’s gay aren’t the only reasons. All his young life, he’s been bullied at school too, so he’s wary of people. That is the reason he finds making friends difficult except for his cousin Travis, who you’ll know if you’ve read the series, works at the coffee shop, owned by Lex and Tally(from Book 1). To escape his unhappy home life, 19 year old Justin runs away to Rock Bay to stay with Travis, hoping his father won’t find him, and ends up getting Travis’ job at the cafe when he leaves town to be with his girlfriend. Being worried about his cousin, Travis asks Logan to befriend Justin knowing and trusting that he’ll look after him whilst he’s gone.
The minute Logan sets his eyes on him he’s totally smitten. The fact that he’s attracted to a guy surprises him but he’s not fazed out about it at all and he’s deeply drawn to this lovely young man. Ditto for Justin, but of course Justin not knowing how gentle he is, sees Logan in the same light as all the other people who’ve been negative in his past and backs away. Not allowing Logan to get close to him he’s cold and unfriendly and this makes Logan act completely out of character, he’s so off kilter he becomes a bit of a bumbling idiot every time he’s in Justin’s company … bless him! Plus, as far as Justin knows the man he’s lusting after is straight so that’s a definite deal breaker!
This was what I enjoyed most about the story. These two guys dance and pussy foot around each other for a long time, both deeply attracted but at the same time scared to make a move. A lot of the time when writers introduce this type of instalove in a story they have the characters jumping into bed within a couple of pages but in this the ‘ will they? won’t they? ‘ aspect of their growing friendship and romance is drawn out really nicely and the sexual tension is delicious. Two extremely endearing characters who together create a lovely chemistry that had me feeling warm and fuzzy all the way through. There’s a touch of conflict built around Justin’s dad and a bit of a misunderstanding before it concludes and they get their HEA ( no spoilers there) but the heart of the book is definitely watching Logan break down Justin’s defences as they fall in love. One of the nicest GFY stories I think I’ve ever read. It’s a book I know I could pick up to read again and again when I just want something to make me feel good! A proper comfort read its sweet, cute and romantic and its firmly made its way into my never delete pile. I didn’t just like this…. I loved it!
5 STARS!
BUY LINKS: Dreamspinner Press || Amazon
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Macky is one of the official reviewers of The Blog of Sid Love
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Do you wish to read the Rock Bay Series – Book 1 & 2?
SUMMARY: Tallis Carrington ruled Rock Bay with his gang of jocks and an iron fist—until a scandal destroyed his family’s name. Ten years later Tallis is dead broke, newly homeless, and on the walk of shame to end all walks of shame. He needs money and needs it fast, and Rock Bay is the only home he knows. But the people of Rock Bay haven’t forgotten him—or the spoiled brat he used to be.
The only person in town willing to overlook his past is Lex, the new coffee shop owner, who offers Tally a job even though he appears to despise Tally based on his reputation alone. When Tally discovers his gorgeous boss is the kid he tortured back in high school, Lex’s hot and cold routine finally makes sense. Now Tally has to pull out all the stops to prove he was never really the jerk he seemed to be. After all, if he can win Lex’s heart, the rest of the town should be a piece of coffee cake.
BUY LINKS: Dreamspinner Press || Amazon
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BOOK 2: Letting Go
SUMMARY: Drew McAuliffe has lived in the small town of Rock Bay most of his adult life. He’d like to be happy, but not at the cost of having his private life under his nosy neighbors’ microscope, so he keeps his bisexuality under wraps.
After a messy breakup that caused him to pack up and move to Astoria, on the Oregon coast, Mason Anderson decides to avoid drama of the romantic kind. All he wants is to start over—alone.
But Drew and Mason were meant to meet. The long looks and awkward half hellos chance offered were never going to be enough. But when they do finally come together on the worst night possible, misconceptions and problems from their pasts get in the way. Until Mason learns to trust again—and until Drew learns to let go of who he thinks he is—a real connection is nothing but a pipe dream.
BUY LINKS: Dreamspinner Press || Amazon