Title: Leaning Into Forever
Series: Leaning Into Stories, #7
Author: Lane Hayes
Publisher: Lane Hayes
Release Date: June 29
Heat Level: 4 - Lots of Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 75K
Genre: Romance, Comfort, Healing , Heartbreak, New Beginnings, Contemporary Romance
Summary
Geordie de la Rosa is a legend among wine lovers in Napa Valley. His ultra-fabulous style paired with a penchant for leading impromptu sing-a-longs has made him a star attraction at Conrad Winery. Co-owning a well-respected winery was never Geordie’s aspiration but he likes the niche he’s made for himself. He won’t deny that his job and his friends have helped ease his heartache and grief after the death of his longtime partner.
Levi Yeager excels at the art of reinventing himself. He’s been a minor league baseball player, a college coach and now a restaurant owner. The problem is he doesn’t know a thing about the food business. And when his chef quits unexpectedly, he’s afraid his new venture is doomed. But Levi isn’t a quitter. It may be the only thing he has in common with the beautiful, sassy man from the neighboring winery who agrees to help get his new business up and running. Neither man counts on their fast friendship or the wild attraction they feel for each other. However, they know they won’t stand a chance until they let go of the past and lean into forever.
REVIEW
My Rating - 5 Stars!
Leaning into Forever by Lane Hayes, Book #7 in the Leaning Into series, is a wonderful, emotional love story.
Geordie is one of those characters who hits you full force, as a consummate scene-stealer. As such, I have been longing for his story, despite knowing it would be a tough one.
After Geordie's partner, Mike, died, he's been spending the last few years barely living. Despite his suffering and the fact that he's constantly talking to his dead partner, he remains the dynamic personality, very femme, full of flair and showtunes. He is one of the sweetest characters ever, making me smile, cry and laugh, over and over again.
Then he meets Levi, a former baseball player, who's a strange combination of sexy and silly. Levi is everything Geordie needs, as he's sweet, patient, charming, and determined. Of course, Geordie is not looking for love, but he'll be hard pressed to pass up Levi, despite the fact that's he's been holding onto his past like a lifeline.
Together, Geordie and Levi are perfect for one another, as they become close friends. I love that they have fun together and are silly together, pulling Geordie away from his grief and helping him to start living again. Their story is a beautiful second chance at love for Geordie, helping him to finally accept that it's ok that Mike is gone.
I would be remiss to not mention the laughs inspired by the pink vespa and the font discussions, as the humor involved is ongoing and hysterical.
Lane's writing style is perfect, with beautiful descriptions, allowing us to feel the land, as well as the characters. She delivers this charming romance with humor, grace and emotion.
She also tackles many issues that we all need to remember:
- Don't take anything for granted, as you never know what will happen next.
-Sometimes life takes a detour that you aren't expecting, but can end up being a fantastic gift.
She also delivers some amazing quotes that we should all take heed of:
"Everyone should have the chance to live fearlessly at least once in their lifetime."
"We're always changing and if we're lucky, we learn along the way."
After waiting for this story, I am thrilled with it's delivery. I am left feeling extremely happy and content. I highly recommend Leaning Into Forever. And if you haven't read the other books in the series, do so and you will love them too.
Excerpt
“My game is coming back. If I keep talking and you keep listening, you’ll eventually warm up to me. Where was I?”
“The psychology of alliterations,” I deadpanned.
“Right. Your tone is imperial, you use alliterations like a poet and you dress like a diva. You’re pleasant to strangers but you hold them at bay. You’re kind but controlled. Most likely you were an elite member of a royal family in a former life.”
“You’re probably right,” I said, amused in spite of myself. “Since you have me figured me, let me see if I can do the same.”
“Be my guest.” Levi made a sweeping motion with his left arm before resting it on his steering wheel. The casual gesture was ripe with potent masculinity. And I hated that I noticed.
I tore my gaze from his stubble jaw and cleared my throat. “You’re a newly out sports enthusiast at a crossroad.”
“Sports enthusiast at a crossroads,” he repeated with a laugh. “I guess that’s better than has-been athlete looking for a new gig.”
“As you said, I do have a way with words and I’m a firm believer it’s crucial to accentuate the positives.” I set my hand over his without thinking then pulled back when a familiar spark of awareness skittered along my spine.
Levi smirked. “You’re weird. I like you.”
“Thanks. I like you too. Platonically of course,” I added.
“Of course. What exactly is my crossroad?”
“I’m not sure. Perhaps you quit your job to try a new venture with this lover who dumped you and now you’re heading to LA to woo him back—”
“Not a chance,” he snapped.
I raised a brow at his vehemence. “Or…you’re going on a fact-finding mission to salvage what you can of your original idea and determine what comes next.”
Levi nodded. “Closer.”
“Have you thought about selling the diner?”
“Yes. But I’m not going to.”
“Why not?”
“I have nothing to lose. And you know what? It’s kinda liberating. No net required ’cause I’m already free falling. Have you ever felt that way before, Geord?”
Every fucking day.
Silence fell like a blanket between us. Soft and warm and safe. I didn’t want to break the quiet but I couldn’t allow myself to be pulled under either.
I licked my lips and whispered, “Yes.”
Suddenly, I couldn’t move and I couldn’t look away. Maybe I was a sucker for ruggedly handsome men who weren’t ashamed to reveal their vulnerable sides. I admired that he made free-falling sound like an adventure. I’d been doing it for nearly four years and my outlook was nothing like Levi’s. I worked my ass off to make sure no one knew how tired and raw and afraid I felt every damn day. I clung to the best parts of my past like a lifeline, hoping my ghosts would ease the inevitable ‘splat on the concrete’ nosedive I had coming my way.
Levi’s story was certainly different, but I recognized something in him I knew too well. A desperate spirit that wasn’t quite ready to give up. I’d like to think that sense of acknowledgment was why I leaned across the console, closed my eyes and pressed my lips against his.
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Meet the Author
Lane Hayes is grateful to finally be doing what she loves best. Writing full-time! It’s no secret Lane loves a good romance novel. An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. These days she prefers the leading roles to both be men. Lane discovered the M/M genre a few years ago and was instantly hooked. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and won first prize in the 2016 and 2017 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly empty nest.
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