Reviewed by Roberta
TITLE: Bishop
SERIES: A True Lover’s Story
AUTHOR: AE Via
PUBLISHER: Via Star Wings Books
LENGTH: 352 Pages
RELEASE DATE: 27 Sept 2019
BLURB:
At only thirty-two, Bishop Stockley has lived a hard-knock life. His gang was his family, the streets his home. Until the crew he’d always called his brothers betrayed him. After doing five years in a federal prison, Bishop is back at his dad’s trailer and working for his landscaping company, thrust into a legit world where he’s no longer the alpha—a world where a criminal record is the least of his disadvantages, because Bishop can’t read or write. Illiteracy had never been an obstacle for him on the streets, he didn’t need to know how to read Moby Dick to survive, he needed to know how to read people… and that was a hustle he’d learned hard and fast. Now, he had to change his life.
Bishop’s only support system was a young, inexperienced dad who’d insisted he call him Mike all their life—since they looked more like brothers than father and son. And his hot-tempered, childhood, best friend from ’juvie, Trent. Bishop already had the deck stacked against him, but he wasn’t afraid of hard work to change his situation, and he did want to change. Especially after he encountered Edison Scala, a kind-spirited office manager who didn’t hesitate to come to his defense… a man that saw past Bishop’s grass-stained coveralls. A man who wasn’t intimidated by his stern features and his silence.
Edison hadn’t grown up the way most of his peers had. He’d been raised by a single father who’d owned an old-fashioned barber shop where Edison was taught how to not only shave with a straight razor, and shine shoes, but also how to treat others, to not judge, to be a gentleman, to be respectful and speak without profanity. But, the biggest lesson he’d learned, was to always be himself. His lack of friends and a social life wasn’t his fault. No matter how much weight he gained, no matter how many times his staff called him a square, Edison did not need to change.
Bishop knew Edison was off-limits. He’d made personal vows to himself when he was released from prison, ones that he never intended to break. But, when Edison asked him about providing landscaping services at his home, there was no way he could refuse. He hadn’t expected Edison to feed him, praise him, encourage him, and look at him the way he did—as if Bishop was somebody. Mike and Trent warned him not to mix business with pleasure and he didn’t intend to.
No multiple pairings. No cliffhangers. Ends with a very, very HFN.
Warning:
This book is a M/M contemporary romance, a hardened man’s struggle to find real love. There are no police chases or doors being kicked in, in this one. But, don’t worry. Bishop is still intense enough to keep you on the edge.
REVIEW:
So, this is another wonderful and great story written by AE Via. I’ve loved her work since Blue Moon and she’s only gotten better with each and every book.
I really liked that this book showed how you may not see yourself as the wonderful, unique person that you and that other people don’t necessarily see you that way.
I liked that Bishop is this man who is in parts so strong and alpha that it makes you swoon and yet, he’s also this guy who didn’t have the best childhood and he made some bad choices, but he’s a really amazing guy. I liked that Mike, his father who had him so damn young, wanted to try and be a better person not only for Bishop, but for himself as well. I really liked that part. I hated that Bishop thought so little of himself as he couldn’t read, but I understand why he felt that way. I really wanted to hug him and then teach him the joys of reading…but that’s my thing…I am a reader through and through.
Edison, I liked him. I liked that he was a good man. A sweet man who had people put him down and made him feel worthless. How he was a bit overweight and awkward with people, but he is a good man and I wanted to be his friend to show him that not all people are stupidass jerks. Edison really needed more self esteem and I found thatI wouldn’t put up with half the stuff he did…but that says tons about him.
Sky…yeah that jerk needed a punch in the throat and that’s all I’m gonna say on that front. Trent…I liked him. He and Bishop are Brothers an d that can make all the differnce in the world.
This has some serious hurt/comfort and tons of healing feels that happen in story, but I have to say…this is one of those books that you can come back to and read again and again and still have all the feels.
RATING: 
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