Rise and shine, pornies! I hope you hada wonderful weekend. I just finished reading a great book by one of my favorite authors. The beginning was a bit strange for me, but the more I read, the more I loved it! Today I'm talking about The Couple Next Door, by Rick R. Reed. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy!
- Print Length: 200 pages.
- Publisher: NineStar Press (September 14, 2020)
- Publication Date: September 14, 2020.
- Genres: Contemporary, Drama, Gay, Horror, Romance.
- Rating: 4,5 / 5
Jeremy Booth leads a simple life, scraping by in the gay neighborhood of Seattle, never letting his lack of material things get him down. But the one thing he really wants—someone to love—seems elusive. Until the couple next door moves in and Jeremy sees the man of his dreams, Shane McCallister, pushed down the stairs by a brute named Cole.Jeremy would never go after another man’s boyfriend, so he reaches out to Shane in friendship while suppressing his feelings of attraction. But the feeling of something being off only begins with Cole being a hard-fisted bully—it ends with him seeming to be different people at different times. Some days, Cole is the mild-mannered John and then, one night in a bar, he’s the sassy and vivacious drag queen Vera.So how can Jeremy rescue the man of his dreams from a situation that seems to get crazier and more dangerous by the day? By getting close to the couple next door, Jeremy not only puts a potential love in jeopardy, but eventually his very life.
As I said, the first pages didn't work out for me that much and it took me a while to get past them, but once I did, the story was great, I fell in love with Jeremy, with Shane, and a bit with John, to be honest. The characters are not that complex as in other books from the author, but they have some attractive backstories that will amaze you.
Rick R. Reed knows how to create an intriguing plot nad play with your senses. My heart was racing during the last chapters, and while I tend to say I fight my need to sleep so I can finish a book, sleeping was the farthest thing in my mind as I devoured chapter after chapter. The style, the descriptions, the dialogues, and the whole atmosphere made me an addict to this book!
What did it miss so it could be perfect? Shane and John's relationship was too much at some points. I couldn't twink someone as Jeremy would buy all of it in the real world, no matter of caring and helpful they would be. I won't say the lack of sex didn't play a role also, but it's a minor detail. This is a drama book, and that's where the problem is for me: sometimes, there was too much of it to be realistic.
However, this is a novel you can't put down once you get started with it. The Couple Next Door is a book that gets under your skin once you give it the chance, and Rick R. Reed has more than once surprise under his sleeve for the readers. With a fast pace and a heartfelt romance that defies all odds, this book goes right into one of my favorite once already.
About Rick R. Reed:
Rick R. Reed draws inspiration from the lives of gay men to craft stories that quicken the heartbeat, engage emotions, and keep the pages turning. Although he dabbles in horror, dark suspense, and comedy, his attention always returns to the power of love. He’s the award-winning and bestselling author of more than fifty works of published fiction and is forever at work on yet another book. Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…” You can find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA with his husband and is forever at work on another novel. You can also like Rick on Facebook or on Twitter. Rick always enjoys hearing from readers and answers all e-mails personally. Send him a message at rickrreedbooks@gmail.com
Have you read this book? Would you recommend it or not? Let me know in the comments! Kinky regards, K!
Have you read this book? Would you recommend it or not? Let me know in the comments! Kinky regards, K!
Kinky regards, K!
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