Reviewed by Taylin

This is a review of The Mary’s Boys Collection (Books 1-4)

TITLE: The Mary’s Boys Collection

AUTHOR:  Brandon Witt

PUBLISHER:  Self-Published

LENGTH: 522 pages

RELEASE DATE:  July 7, 2020

COLLECTION REVIEW:

 

The Mary’s Boys Collection has M/M pairings that satisfy most tastes. There’s the young, the twink, the tough, the older guys. They also vary in pace from roller-coaster to scenic, and tackle a series of issues like racism, religion, assault, self-confidence, timid, femme and more…

All the novellas are in the third person with chapters from alternating viewpoints.

The collection begins with Nachos & Hash. This delightful personable couple set the scene and dynamics for the people/recurring characters that work within the walls of Hamburger Mary’s. They are all different ages and backgrounds, but they are a family. The stories that follow also contain people already met from this first story with each man having a different taste in a partner. All the themes are familiar, have been tackled before, and should be kept in the public eye. But the ‘Mary’s’ family make the stories that little bit special and different from the usual staunch best friend or sibling scenario – Hang on, that’s in there, too. Oh, and damn, the collection finishes as superbly as it began with a Christmas tearjerker – in a good way.

Some of the consistent themes are the Drag Queen nights, and the superb sass and humor.

Shout out to the character Pat who has little, but significant airtime, and ManDonna whose sass brightens the page. Every featured character has a different family background involving a range of emotions and expectations.

I read the novella’s in quick succession, (such is the world of the reviewer) which I am positive had a different impact on me than if I’d left it a few weeks between tales. It’s like watching a sequel – everything is there, but nothing has the same impact as that first encounter.

Each romance pulled at my heart differently – some more than others. Individually the stories are good, but together they are better, which is why the collection rating is better than the average of the totals. They create a world and a family that many readers, including myself, would love to be part of. I left the collection entertained, informed and somewhat bereft because I’d fallen for these characters and their story had finished. So, I’m sure I’ll revisit them at some time.

I liked this set because you get a meaty book with stories that can be finished in a day without any annoying cliffhangers. One can simply look forward to the next story, as and when ready.

SERIES RATING: 

 

TITLE:  Nachos & Hash

BLURB:

Darwin Michaels is living his dreams in the Mile High City but is losing hope he’ll find love—until he sets eyes on the adorable waiter at Hamburger Mary’s. Cody has just accomplished his life’s goal—get the hell out of Kansas. A fun job was just the cherry on top. All that’s missing is someone special. But when Darwin shows interest, Cody is sure it’s too good to be true. After all, what can Darwin possibly see in the high school dropout serving him nachos?

REVIEW:

Darwin is on a date at Hamburger Mary’s and is looking for an escape. He realizes that he is looking for something more permanent. While the Drag queen act steals hid date away for a game on stage, the waiter, Cody, asks Darwin if he’d like another drink. Cody is a talkative soul, and the two hit it off. Soon Darwin can’t get Cody out of his head.

Cody works at Hamburger Mary’s. Having escaped a small Mid-West town, and far from brilliant parents, he is finally happy with his lot. When he meets Darwin, he never would have imagined that someone like Darwin would be interested in someone like him – except for a quick fuck in the closest alleyway.

The story quickly captured my heart. Cody and Darwin hail from similar parts of the country, which is what got them talking.  Both found their way to Denver and each other.

Cody and Darwin are extremely likeable as are the extended cast. Cody is a heart stealer. The people at Hamburger Mary’s, they are a riot, and protective of those they class as family. The reader also gets introductions to characters who star in future Mary’s Boys stories. They are all different, delicious and their small, yet significant, roles had me wanting more.

I loved the humor – ManDonna comes out with some absolute corkers.  The all-around wit is superb on many levels. Two people meeting, love and banter aren’t the only features of this story. Cody and Darwin have ghosts in their closets – Cody more than Darwin and the drama left me with a lump in my throat.

Nacho’s and Hash has to be one of the best opening novellas to a collection that I’ve read for a while. It is well-paced, dramatic, emotional, contains hurt/comfort/angst, and the sex was hot. It is packed to the rafters with readable material. AND it had none of those nasty little one-liners or habits that belong in my room 101.

I laughed, I hurt, I swooned, and yes, I cried too. All in a short story that I read in an evening – Marvelous.

RATING: 

 

TITLE:  Vodka & Handcuffs

BLURB:

Vahin Arora, Hamburger Mary’s sexy bartender, plays the flirtatious role so well even his closest friends don’t realize he hasn’t had a hookup in months. Then the tall, dark, and handsome police officer steps through the door, and Vahin’s passion races back to life. Being a black cop on the Denver police force is no easy job—Marlon Barton can’t imagine adding being out and proud to the equation. Could Vahin be worth the risk of finding out?

REVIEW:

Marlon is a cop whose partner, Andrew, is a racist hothead with powerful family connections. Marlon is the best, and the only one the Chief trusts to keep Andrew in check without losing their shit. Not wanting to socialize with Andrew at the local cop bar, Marlon ends up at Mary’s where he meets Vahin. There is an immediate lust factor.

Vahin is a bartender at Mary’s. He is usually sleek and chipper with his comebacks to those who flirt with him. Recently, some of the game has disappeared from his play. The minute Marlon walked into the bar, Vahin called dibs on making the first move. Vahin and Marlon share a lust-filled evening. But that is the end of the smooth part.

There is nothing gentle about this story. It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s brutal. Vahin and Marlon are well-made men, whose lovemaking is fierce. Their journey to happiness is more like riding the Big Dipper – cos it sure as hell isn’t smooth. Luckily there is an extended cast ready to support them. The ‘Mary’s’ family is there in force, which ensures there is a healthy dose of wit.

Both men come with histories. Religion was a huge factor in their upbringing, affecting their lives in a few positive, mostly negative ways. One is a Baptist, the other Muslim. They must face other foes too – Racism, bigots, unethical policing, homophobia and more. Through it all, they face the task of being stronger, tougher, better.

This story for me, was a thought-provoking tale, which I would put in the category – Better than average, because it is a good read, if a little matter of fact in places. A lot is packed between the pages. Kudos to the author for keeping the focus on Marlon and Vahin.

Vodka and Handcuffs left me educated and more thoughtful of different viewpoints, though not emotionally knackered. I am sure that readers who love fast-moving stories with burly men will eat this up.

RATING: 

 

TITLE:  Mascara & Bandages

BLURB:

Ariel Merman is a new drag queen who finds a family at Hamburger Mary’s. After a performance as Ariel, Zachary Cooper walks home in his makeup and is physically assaulted by homophobes. Dr. Teegan Chau is a little lost after divorcing his wife and coming out of the closet, but he can’t deny his attraction to the young man he patches up. When Zachary takes the initiative and asks Teegan out, romance turns out to be the easy part of their blossoming relationship.

REVIEW:

Zachary is not man-enough for some and too delicate for those who like twinks. He is effeminate. On the plus side, his curves make Ariel Merman one of the finest drag queens in Denver – She sets Zachary free. Ariel is everything Zachary wants to be, but shadows lurk in more ways than one. As the blurb says, Zachary is assaulted on his way home.

Teegan was married with children. Now divorced and openly gay to the point where his ex-wife tries to set him up on dates. However, he’s only had hookups. Teegan spends most of his time at the hospital and is the one who patches up Zachary. Teegan finds that there is something about his patient that opens his extra-protective streak.

The assault on Zachary is part of the introductory scenes which gives a kicker of an opening. Zachary is a lovely person with serious self-confidence issues that go away when he becomes Ariel Merman.  From the moment he opens his eyes in the hospital, two journeys begin.

Firstly, Teegan is yummy. Though, must get used to openly being in a relationship with a gay man and answer questions like; Is Ariel part of the transition between straight and gay or is it that Zachary is under the dress? Add into the mix Chinese parents who live by tradition and expectation, then Teegan has some family issues to overcome, too.

Secondly, Zachary, the love, reminds me of the lion from The Wizzard of Oz, he looks for courage when he doesn’t realize that he already has it. His journey is learning to live with what happened, embrace the good, trust that some accept Zachary for who he is, and believe in himself so that he can move forward. Let’s not forget that he must trust the police to get the men that assaulted him.

Mascara & Bandages is slower paced than the other stories, thus far. There is more introspection, self-analyzing and time to enjoy the ambiance and the scenery. There is plenty of ignoring the ‘he’s interested’ evidence, and hesitancy with broaching some subjects. Teegan and Zachary’s first date resembled a cat walking on hot coals, comfortable in some respects positively ouch in others. It’s one of those stories where friends and family can see how they’ve fallen love before they can.

There are a few preferred descriptors when delving into sensitive topics – typically wincing and flinching.

I have read plenty of stories with this scenario, and this is a sweet read. Zachary’s timid personality, relived memories and experiences are endearing. I enjoyed this story but felt it ended a bit soon – though technically the story arcs were resolved. I’d have liked to see more of the swan that Zachary was emerging into, and additional insight into the resolution of the assault.

RATING: 

 

TITLE: Deeds & Confetti

BLURB:

Steven Conley loves owning his own Hamburger Mary’s restaurant, and never regretted abandoning the corporate grind until his father’s harsh deathbed words leaves him doubting himself. When party planner, Ryan Fuller, bumps into Steven—his best friend’s uncle and the older man Ryan has secretly crushed on since he was a teen—the attraction explodes into a night of passionate abandon for both men. Things might work out for the men, if Steven can accept who Ryan really is.

REVIEW:

Steven is a troubled man, a mid-forties owner of Hamburger Mary’s he was once a force in the finance district, with a healthy bank account. But he was not happy. Now he’s sunk every penny into Hamburger Mary’s. His father is on his deathbed, and Steven is vulnerable. The man’s dying cruel words do a number on Steven that leaves him questioning everything he’s done and built.

Ryan’s job at a funeral home is a means to an end – it brings in extra money for his party planning business. A former artist, he gave it all up because it ceased being a joy. At the funeral home, he bumps into Steven, who is Ryan’s best friend’s uncle. The man that Ryan has crushed on since puberty. Later in the day, a frustrated Stephen returns to the home during the closing process, and Ryan is happy to have his fantasies played out in Steven’s truck.

When Ryan confesses that he is Steven’s nephews’ best friend, Steven does the age calculation and backs off.  There are nearly twenty years between them. Ryan points out that he is aged twenty-seven and a man. But age isn’t their only problem. Steven is convinced Ryan has a case of hero-worship. Nevertheless, Ryan is a determined soul, and he wants Steven.

Deeds & Confetti is the last in The Mary’s Boys collection. It is set during the Christmas period and is slightly shorter than the others. However, it is well-paced and packs an emotional punch that had me blubbering twice, so get the tissues ready.

Throughout the collection, Steven has been a steady presence, and he’s a good man. I was vested in him as the head of the ‘Mary’s’ family before I even turned a page in the novella. In this story, I got to see Steven’s vulnerabilities, his relationship with his sister Pat, and the friendship he has with Vahin.

The determination Ryan has, to show Steven the path to happiness was a delight to read. He’s like a breath of fresh air, which added a balanced combination of scene-setting and emotional drama. ManDonna’s sass is at it’s best, and the ‘Mary’ gang do a Christmas number that was simply wonderful.

For such a short story and the yuletide timeframe, it was a fitting finish to the collection.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon