Reviewed by Tammy

TITLE: Beyond the Surface

SERIES: The Breakfast Club #1

AUTHOR: Felice Stevens

PUBLISHER: Self pub

LENGTH: 229 pages

BLURB:

On 9/11, firefighter Nick Fletcher’s world changed forever. He’s unable to rid himself of survivor’s guilt, made worse by the secret he hides from his family and co-workers. Nick’s life is centered around helping burn victims, until he is reunited with the man he’d once loved but pushed away. Now he has a second chance at a love he thought lost forever.

For fashion designer Julian Cornell, appearances mean everything. His love affairs are strictly casual, and the only thing he cares about is making his clothing line a success. A chance encounter with the man he loved long ago has Julian thinking for the first time in years there may be more to life than being seen at the best parties and what designer labels to wear.

When Julian’s world takes an unexpected turn, it’s Nick who helps him regain perspective on what matters most in life. Julian, in turn, helps Nick accept who he is and understand he isn’t responsible for tragedies he couldn’t prevent. Lost love found can be even sweeter the second time around and after all the years apart, both men learn to look beyond the surface to find the men they are inside.

REVIEW:

Beyond The Surface is a very in-depth look at two men who are living their lives on the surface.

Julian Cornell is a world famous men’s clothing designer, his entire life is all about the beautiful, if you don’t have it, then how and where can you get it! Julian has all the beautiful male models he could possibly want, to grace his bed, his arm and his catwalk. But, he can never admit even to himself that it’s all on the surface, he never lets his heart or emotions become involved in any of his entanglements, relationships or one-night-stands.

Nick Fletcher on the other hand is a fire-fighter whose life changed irrevocably on 9/11. Not only does Nick suffer from survivor’s guilt because he lived whilst none of his team did he suffers all sorts of different phobias that he never considered before 9/11. Nick still has to see a psychiatrist once a week to discuss his problems and he is working through them, slowly but surely. The biggest thing Nick has suffered from all his life is the fact that he is gay but he has also never acknowledged that fact to anyone not even himself! He’s managed to keep this particular secret for fear of his family disowning him when and if they ever found out. Nick knows he lives on the surface but feels there’s no other option if he not only wants to keep his family and job but he doesn’t feel he deserves to be happy when his dead team-mates are dead.

Julian and Nick were in love with each other when they were in high-school, only Nick ended the relationship when he realised he had fallen in love with Julian. Julian was devastated when Nick ended things by telling him he wanted to be “normal”, he wanted to have a wife and family, not be gay. Nick really tried to be straight, he even slept with some girls but it never felt right. After 9/11 Nick vowed he was through making excuses as to why things didn’t go well when he tried to have sex with a woman so he started to hide and sneak around to have random hook-ups with strange men. Whereas Julian slept with a lot of different men because he had never been in the closet, he doesn’t particularly care what people think of him, he is who he is! The only thing never really touched was his heart, deep down Julian knew his heart has always and would always belong to Nick.

When Julian and Nick meet again after eighteen years apart they can’t believe it. In some ways it’s like they were never apart but in others they have both changed dramatically. Nick can’t get over how shallow Julian comes across as and Julian can’t believe how quiet and reticent Nick has become. The one thing that has stayed the same is their desire for each other. They’re instantly attracted to each the moment they lay eyes on each other and then they each go out of their way to ensure they never lose contact again. Julian is the main instigator in this renewed relationship, but that doesn’t mean Nick isn’t 100% behind the idea!

Julian has to convince Nick they’re worth the risk of coming out to his teammates and family. Nick isn’t the easiest person to convince to risk it all, because he’s been deep in the closet all his life he wants to take his time with explanations. Nick has to convince Julian that there is more to life than making clothing for rich, good-looking men. When Nick invites Julian to go with him to the hospital where he volunteers almost every day to look out for the burns victims he turns Julian’s life around. Not only is he excited to about designing again but he can see the benefit to and for the victims themselves.

You have to read Beyond The Surface for the full story and let me tell you, it most assuredly is!! Felice Stevens sure knows how to write compelling, fascinating, tearjerker books! I’m recommending this book to everyone who loves to read as much as I do!!

RATING: 

BUY LINK:

Amazon