Bonfires

4.5 Stars

I was not expecting this book to be so suspenseful. Really, from the cover I thought it would be more of a sappy romance, with some random family issues and drama thrown in, and WOW!! was I surprised when it wasn’t. Don't let the cover fool you, either, lol. This book was great. A good surprise that pulls you in right from the beginning and keeps you on the edge of your seat every step of the way in needing to know what happens next, and who it will happen to.

I loved that this book featured two later-in-life 40y/o men finding their second chance together. It was super sweet, and really fun to see them acting like teens in a new relationship at times. I know they were older and that sometimes it really didn't feel that way when they talked and interacted with others, but to me that made it all seem more real. They both had kids up to being teenagers/young adults so it was refreshing to see they weren't stuffy and older sounding (40s isn't really that old). I really appreciated the fact that both men made sure that their responsibilities in life (kids and families) were taken into consideration first over their feelings and any relationships they both might have had. It really showed their characters in a positive view.

I think that their jobs - Aaron as the sheriff and Larks as the school principal - really helped them form a deeper bond as well, especially when things started getting a little crazy in their town. They could lean on each other and stand together when it was really needed. These guys were seriously awesome characters.

I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. One of the main points of this story was the small-town thinking and the overwhelming hate that can come from it. I really believe these guys and their kids and all their friends dealt with the events that happened in an affirmative way. I was a little confused by some of the actions that happened during the conclusion to the mystery aspect and the people who were caught. There were just a few facts that weren’t explained well enough for my liking, but overall this book was a great way to spend some time.

My one hope after finishing this book is that Kellen gets a book too, so he can have his own HEA. He totally deserves it after everything he was put through, the poor boy - I felt so bad for him.

Audio – Nick J. Russo did a great job with the character voices for both men and their families and all the secondary characters we came into contact with. I really liked that I listened to this one in audio compared to just reading it, because I think the suspense and mystery aspect had a bigger impact with being able to listen to the story play out. Great job and I’m onto the next (audio)book in this series.

*** Audiobook copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

I absolutely adore Larx and Aaron. And life in the school setting, past and present, is right on. I love a good mystery and police work.

The audio book is amazing, too!

REVIEW BY TRIO AT: Kimmers' Erotic Book Banter http://bit.ly/2wmkJm9

Not too familiar with the writing of Amy Lane, I jumped at the chance to review 'Bonfires' because it was narrated by one of my favorites, Nick J. Russo. I am thoroughly impressed by both the beautiful story and Russo’s perfect narration. This tale has everything I could want: Hot guys, a creative mystery, some interesting family drama, and a very important message.

What a terrific book, and read to me by Nick J. Russo? It’s a win!

Aaron and Larx are such interesting characters. Both men are approaching 50, bisexual, and are single parents who have spent the last 10 years raising their kids. When Aaron gets his courage up to pursue Larx (admittedly he didn’t have to chase too hard) and the two finally get it together, they are on fire. This relationship is Aaron’s first experience with a man, and the scenes of Larx gently guiding Aaron into the wonderful world of hot gay sex, oh yeah it is so well done!

Lane does an excellent job painting the picture of a small, homophobic, rural town filled with interesting characters, and she includes enough action to make nine and a half hours fly by.

Most importantly, I love the messages Lane is sending out - of tolerance, acceptance, and blending folks together to create a family. The drama that unfolds brings these issues to a head, forcing Aaron and Larx to figure out a way to work it all out.

I can’t think of any narrator better suited to this story than Nick J. Russo. The variety in the voices he uses always impresses me, but he has really outdone himself with this one. He imbues such a personal note in both of the main men and they just completely come alive. All the secondary characters are creatively done, and Russo’s performance definitely enhances Amy Lane’s wonderful writing.

'Bonfires' is a beautifully written story with a powerful message, presented flawlessly by Nick J. Russo.

I enjoyed every minute of the audio version of this book and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a sweet and smushy second time around romance, with lots of other fantastic stuff thrown in to boot.

Amy Lane certainly hasn't lost her angst-mojo! But what a wonderful story, with two men on the downhill to 50, previously married, both with kids, including one each that are still in their teens. It's still somewhat rare to find older characters in MM romance, especially two of similar ages together. The romance is attuned perfectly to cope with both being single parents with jobs holding a wealth of responsibilities. It's initially slow burn as they've known each other for years but never expected their attraction to develop. They're also in a smaller town where being bisexual or gay isn't always accepted.

There's a lot going on in this tale, between Larx duties as a teacher and principal and Aaron's job as a deputy. The majority focuses on school events and Larx trying to mentor two students who are gay and dealing with a spoiled, rich, selfish girl out for trouble, plus her enabling mother. Things take a dangerous turn and Larx and Aaron are left trying to establish themselves as a couple in the midst of near chaos. It's paced perfectly though, with tender passionate moments in between both mundane daily life with family and the professional crises they face. It seemed as if their love came quickly but the sense of long acquaintance was well established and it felt completely natural.

I loved Larx's character, his humor and humility and his ability to relate so well to both students and staff. Aaron seemed like a rock solid type, loyal, understanding but often not aware of his own worth. They were a perfect opposites attract couple but in the best way. I can always count on Amy Lane for an engrossing, interesting story, that also teaches me something new about life and people. Just a wonderful book!

I used to wish there were more books about middle-aged people falling in love, but then Amy Lane wrote Bonfires and this one is so good I’m not sure the trope can be duplicated or improved upon.
Aaron is a deputy sheriff, possibly someday the town’s sheriff, if things go to plan. He was married and the father of two daughters and one son. His wife died 10 years ago and Aaron begins exploring his bisexuality when Larx comes into his life. He’s known Larx for a long time but not this way. Aaron has focused on raising his children and doing his job, after moving to a small town where he feels they will grow up safer.
Larx, whose real first name is a secret for most of the book, for good reason, was also married and the father of two daughters. He and his wife divorced, and she plays almost no role in his life or in this book. He is the reluctant but excellent principal of the small town high school. He is also bisexual, and, like Aaron, is approaching 50. When Aaron and Larx’s lives intersect a lot is going on, including love, children, a murder, two boys kissing publically at the annual bonfire, homophobic town people, and a stabbing. It’s a lot to deal with, but Larx is so good at handling everything he’s almost too perfect. But then, that’s what the town and his family needs – a good man.
Larx and Aaron are not out to everyone initially but we get there eventually, and that’s another good thing. The teenagers in the story, including Larx’s, Aaron’s, and the student body at Larx’s school, are exemplary kids. A girl whose mother is a piece of work is caught up in a terrible tragedy that is never completely resolved, but a catastrophe this child goes through could not be resolved quickly or at all.
I enjoyed listening to this story on audiobook as well as reading along in ebook format. That’s my favorite way to enjoy books, two media at once. The narrator, Nick J. Russo, has also been the audiobook reader for several other MM romances I’ve enjoyed, so I was sure this was going to be a perfect reading. And it was. Sorting different voices for the men as well as realistically covering the female voices is a talent that Mr. Russo handles extremely well.
Highly recommended in any format you may choose to enjoy.