Saugatuck Summer, Amelia C. Gormley

 

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Saugatuck Summer, Amelia C. Gormley
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

I’ve read and enjoyed Amelia’s co authored books – The Professor …. – sexy but short – and at first assumed this was also a short. It’s not, its a great length at 326 pages, and lets the reader get fully immersed into Tophers problems…and boy does he have them!
At first I found him irritating, he’s the narrator and he’s quite snippy, and in-your-face gay, but as we got to know him better I felt this was a long held defence mechanism, sort of get in first and premept the critisisms. The more the story goes on the more we learn about just how difficult his life has been, his family are not supportive, he’s been pushed from pillar to post, constantly critised even before they knew he was gay – that’s just one more stick to beat him with, and he seems to have spent so many year on medications and in therapy that this is what passes as normal for him. I really felt for him – underneath the bravado was a scared biy just wanting to be happy.

Then there’s the problem of the affair with his friends dad…that has disaster written all over, but we see how it plays out, unintentional and not pre-emtped by him, and I felt once again for poor Topher, no family support, now no best friend and place to live for the summer either. Luckily though there’s some people who can help, and the delicious Jace…I loved him, he was so understanding – knowing when to push and when to sit back and listen, and not afraind to apologise when he got it wrong.
It’s a very emotional read, happy finally – for a while anyway – but its a long, tearjerking haul to get there and so many things to mull over. So much drama, so many lives affected. It’s not just a sweet, sappy romance but a deep thinking, emotionally dark at times read. If you like books that are more than one person falls in love with another, want people with real problems, life with its ups and downs then ths book is for you.
Stars: five.
Arc supplied via Netgalley.

Inch by Inch. (The Professor’s Rule, #3)Heidi Belleau Amelia C. Gormley

Inch by Inch. (The Professor’s Rule, #3)Heidi Belleau Amelia C. Gormley

Review from Jeannie Zelos Book Reviews.
I’d read book two in this series, though oddly part one seems to be between parts two and three, and I’ve not read that so there was some mental musings to work things out but its not difficult. These are all short novellas that deal with facets of the relationship between James and the Professor. After his sexy encounter with Satish James is keen to take their relationship further – but how will the Prof feel? He’s pushed James into encounters with other men where he’s either watched, or directed James actions and wanted an account afterwards but James doesn’t want Satish involved in that…he feels more for him, and that involving the Prof will diminish what they might have. Of course given that James has a need for the pain the professor can give him in their BDSM encounters, he needs to know if Satish can cope with that as its something he just can’t give up. Its not something I really understand this giving and receiving pain, but its clear here both of them enjoy it and get something they need from it especially James. Needing something like this must make relationships very difficult.
I was a bit puzzled at how James had managed without the Prof and his whips for past two years, and yet once back was so dependent on him that he risks what he might have with Satish. I like James, feel sad for him that he needs the pain outlet for his emotions, and would love to see him work things out with Satish. Its early days though and there’s some drama and heartbreak in store for James yet. Thankfully we get a suggestion things will work out for him at the end 🙂 I’d hate to leave him all sad…..
Stars: four, fun read, but very very short so its difficult to really get into.
NB: ARC supplied via Netgalley

An Inch at a Time. Heidi Belleau, Amelia C. Gormley.

 

An Inch at a Time. Heidi Belleau, Amelia C. Gormley.

Arc supplied by Netgalley.

A fun read, I hadn’t realised it was so short though at 60 pages. I’m not usually a short story reader, but this was a fun quick read. The description gives a decent summary so what did I think about it? James, looking for a quick way to up his history grade he approaches the professor having heard suggestions about him being a bit “alternative” in his ways….. I loved the way he came on to the Professor and got a quick knock back. It was an intro into how spectacular Professor Carson is at mind games. Knock back, hint at more openness then another knock til poor James wasn’t sure what he was saying or agreeing to. The theme continued over the “study” sessions. James learned well, and in a Very unusual carrot and stick ( or ruler ) way 🙂 James gets to the pint where despite his initial reservations he’s not sure if the punishment or the treat is what he wants most – win- win! The Professor, well aware of his reputation and careful how he plays it. An interesting man, and very good at the mind games psychology stuff.
Like I said, a fun read but not long enough to really get to know the people. Its like reading a complete section from a book, not the whole book to me. I can see on Amazon there’s a further novel involving James and The Prof and that sounds another fun short read. I can’t find it on Amazon so I’ve no pricing info.
Stars: four from me.