Reviewed by Amber
TITLE: Pieces of Me
SERIES: Spectrum Nights #1
AUTHOR: Melanie Hansen
PUBLISHER: NineStar Press
LENGTH: 154 pages
RELEASE DATE: January 16th, 2017
BLURB:
Scott Ashworth is a beautiful man and the hottest club host on the Phoenix gay scene. He takes what he wants, does what he wants, and does whom he wants. It’s a good life, but the journey to local popularity and fame wasn’t an easy one. For all that Scott’s looks are a blessing, at the same time they’re a curse—the source of his alcoholic mother’s inexplicable hatred.
Rylan Mahoney dreams of photojournalistic glory. He’s in Phoenix looking for the story of a lifetime, but the project isn’t coming to fruition. Needing rent money, he accepts a gig at Phoenix Pride hawking lewd lollipops and edible condoms…all while wearing gold lamé hot pants and a matching bow tie. When Rylan’s house keys and street clothes go missing after his shift, he’s desperate, until a stranger in a convertible stops to help.
The man is absolute sex on legs, and Rylan is jolted when he recognizes him—his stepbrother Scott Ashworth, long missing but suddenly larger than life. Scott is affluent and successful now, light years away from his hardscrabble days living with Rylan in a double-wide trailer deep in the heart of the Florida Panhandle.
Reunited after six years apart, Scott and Rylan are determined to put their past behind them, but fate may have other ideas and leave their future in jeopardy yet again.
REVIEW:
You never really know what you need until its right in front of you. Melanie Hansen’s writing is like a balm to my soul. I didn’t realize how badly I needed to read more of her work until I was knee deep into this story.
I think the same is true for Scott, a character whose outward beauty mesmerizes people but whose insides are terribly scarred from years of abuse. Scott doesn’t really know what he needs until Rylan comes into his life and starts to slowly heal his soul.
Scott knows only the worst life has to offer. His only saving grace being the beautiful shell he was born into. Not being shy about using his good looks and amazing physique to get what he wants he knows it will only take him so far. Out of nowhere a new stepdad and stepbrother are shoved into his life and to say they are unwanted is an understatement.
Without really trying Rylan gets under Scotts skin and they explore their new friendship, a little something more, and they rely on each other without question.
Unfortunately just as things seem to be moving in the right directions Scott’s shaky foundation is torn out from under him and he sets out on his own.
Years later a successful and still wildly beautiful Scott is the highlight of the gay scene in Phoenix. Again using what he has to get what he wants but his world is rocked again when he runs back into, Rylan.
Things are incredibly different between these two men. Still wanting to be in the others life Rylan knows they have a strong bond. A bond too important to muddy with romantic entanglements.
Rylan and Scott’s journey is a painful one. This story is riddled with abuse, homophobia, pain, obsession, unhealthy behavior but it also feels incredibly positive at times. There’s so much hope and good in these men that you can’t help but root for them.
Like the author states this is a cliffhanger so be prepared for an amazing story that truly leaves you wanting more.
Absolutely RECOMMEND!
RATING: 
BUY LINK: