There's This Guy

I don't normally leave reviews. Even when I finish a book that I really like, I struggle to then write down in a review what it was that I liked so much about it. It's almost like, nothing I write would do it justice.

AND, I *feel* that way about this book.... but I'm still gonna try. ;)

I LOVED THIS STORY. The emotions and the real way the story progressed was amazing. The opening sequence is so raw and gut-wrenching that you just want to cry (or skip right to the end to make sure everything worked out... which I didn't do, but still.. ha) for Jake.

I won't give away anything, but trust me- you want to read this one. It was doom and gloom and hearts and rainbows and hugs and tears. <3

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.


Jumping straight in, just as the book does. Not writing a blurby bit, because I simply can't.


Chapter one. Page one. And I'm crying. I'm thinking that this is gonna be a much darker read for me than of late and I was not disappointed!


Ford pulls you, kicking and screaming into Jake's world and you FEEL it, right here, *touches chest, repeatedly* right there, you FEEL for Jake, you really do. And when it is all laid out for you, oh God, more tears!!


Come to think of it, I spent much of this book in tears!! But trust me, there are happy ones at the end!


Because Dallas does love Jake, right from that meeting of eyes across the street. He knows that Jake needs gentle handling, needs time to process everything. And Dallas will take Jake, as his friend, if that's what Jake needs. Jake doesn't, to be fair, know exactly what he needs but he KNOWS he needs Dallas in his life.


And Celeste. Oh she is funny. But she had Jake's number way before Dallas did. And she made Dallas see.


not as explicit as some of Ford's books, but that's not what this book is about. Its about seeing that, actually, you are a NOT bad person, and you really do deserve someone to love you.


I love Rhys Ford's work, you know I do. I fell in love with The Sinners Gin guys, and for a very long time, they were my favourites. But this book?? Way WAY surpasses those books.


I can't express, not properly, how this book affected me today. I read it in one sitting. The cat was pleased I did not more for better part of the morning. I could not find a way to stop reading. I needed to know that Jake and Dallas have their happy ending.


Cannot give it anything other than...


5 full and painful, but brilliant stars


** same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Rhys Ford’s books never disappoints and this is just a great book. It’s not a mystery and it wasn’t needed. What a story about 2 interesting men. There were interesting secondary characters and I loved the locale and I could imagine visiting both businesses. I enjoyed the pace, I just kept wanting to read more. I would absolutely recommend this book.

Good read, this isn't her normal type of book, and I have read almost everything she has written. That being said, if you are looking for a good live story this is ot. I loved the characters and wanted so much for them to be happy. I definitely encourage you to buy this book, worth the time.

Look, it’s no secret that I love Rhys Ford’s books. I know what I’m in for when I pick up one of her stories. Most of my reviews sound the same and reiterate everything I love about her words. They usually have some form of the phrase “everything you would come to expect in a Rhys Ford book” in them. Well, not this time. I did not expect this. I never would have dreamed she would deviate from her norm and delve into something other than her usual murder and mayhem.

And I was blown away.

Jake, oh my dear, sweet, messed up Jake. I just want to wrap him up in a blanket and hold him and keep him safe from the world! He’s had the shittiest life. An abusive father, a mother who told him he was going to hell for being gay and his first attempt at a relationship ending in betrayal and pain have caused him to retreat so far into himself he can’t find his way out. There’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Hell, as far as Jake is concerned, there is no tunnel.

At some point in Jake Moore’s life, someone made him… less.

Jake doesn't seem depressed so much as lost. The only thing he has in life is his metalworking. His creations are an outlet for his rage and the lack of control he perceives he has in his own life. His life is full of ugliness and he doesn't see any way to have any beauty so he creates it, it's the only thing he has any control over.

It’s no surprise to me that he latches on to Dallas so quickly. I mean, who wouldn’t want someone, in your darkest hour, when you feel like there is no hope left, to come along and hold your hand through it. To show you that your world is not full of darkness and shadowy grays but instead there is color and light. That you are worth something.

Dallas… well, Dallas is damn near perfect. At least, he’s perfect for Jake. Dallas is a fixer. You know the kind, always have their hands in a project and seem to gravitate towards broken down or distressed things and have the inherent need to build them back up or repair them. When he spies Jake across the street from his newest venture into property flipping he’s entranced. As they slowly get to know each other over the course of several weeks, Dallas discovers that instead of wanting to ‘fix’ Jake he just wants to be by his side, offering his support and friendship while Jake learns how to repair himself.

There’s a beauty inside of Jake I want the world to see.

Damn, Rhys sure knows how to weave words into some beautiful prose. Even the ugly words are beautiful. If there's one thing she excels at, it's descriptors. I've always been able to fully picture a scene or a character she describes. Normally when I read the main characters are just some vague, faceless body that I don't even think about picturing. Either that or I end up picturing them as whoever is on the cover. But not with Rhys. I know exactly how Jake looks, how he moves and even what his facial expressions are. Dallas describing men, and Jake in particular, is a thing of beauty. I can totally picture Jake in my head, right down to his smile.

This book grabbed hold of me, slapped me across the face and made me its bitch. I did nothing else while reading it, well, except email Red back and forth. I have 172 emails with Red about this book. I have 68 notes and highlights I made while reading. There is so much more I want to say about this book, I could write a thesis and still not touch on all the points that I want to make. Having read every one of Rhys's books I feel I can say with certainty that this is her masterpiece. Though this book won’t be for everyone I urge you to give it a try. It just may be the best book you’ve read all year.

I know it was mine.