E. M. Lindsey

Xan is a grad student. His parents were killed when he was still in high school, and he was still working on healing when he met Max when he was a sophomore in college. He’s now living with him as his fiancé, but Xan is miserable. Max has systematically cut him off from any other relationships, friendships, and even tries to interfere with one of his only remaining family members, his cousin Allie. While Max hasn’t hit him, he’s made him feel like he’s nothing and that no one would ever want him and that he couldn’t survive without him. He won’t allow him to go with him when he goes out with his friends. They really don't share anything, and Max continues to run Xan down. When Luca meets him on campus, he quickly realizes that something is very wrong, and they offer to help. After they meet, he realizes there might be more there than just being his friend. Luca has shared all this with Sebastion, his husband, and they are both on board to make Xan a part of their relationship, since they've always had an open marriage. Sebastian recognizes a lot of what is going on with Xan since he had had an abusive ex in the past and he didn’t have any support. Luca and Sebastian want to help but Xan may not be ready to accept what they are offering. Xan decides that he needs to help himself...so even though it breaks all their hearts, Xan leaves for Europe. Will he return? Sebastian and Luca can only go on with their lives and hope. This was beautifully written and read...and parts of it will break your heart. While I became a bit anxious for something to happen between the three guys...I began to see that this was the right step for them to take. I wondered about the title, but it's explained well as the guys work to make their relationship work. "You will never get to the other side of here if you don't take the first step"… (mais)

This is my third book in Breaking the Rules series - I hope there are more to come - and it is also a beautiful book so far. I'm confused by the many characters that are in the mix

Colton has been tortured in a "summer camp" meant to turn him from queer to straight. He runs away and becomes part of the group home, run by Soren (who stars in another of the books). Marcel has been in a long term relationship that breaks up after they make a move cross country. In one of those wonders of the universe, these two misfit characters, are made for each other.

I'm 1/4 the way in to the audiobook, once again read by Zachary Zaba.… (mais)

I am on a roll lately - a string of audiobooks deserving of a 4.5 score. I picked up this audiobook because I'd enjoyed the first 2 in the series.

But in this one, the stern marine sergeant and now vet, Elliot is at a point in his life where the only thing missing is a man to love. Along comes Arlo, straight, also an ex-marine, also with a dream to work with animals - service dogs. Elliot is immediately drawn to gentle giant Arlo and friendship blossoms.

But love is not far behind. Arlo opens like a flower to loving Elliot - so real, touching, sympathetic, kind and good - never mushy.… (mais)