Out of the Blue by Kay Simone

Amazon Link - Available in KU 
Goodreads Link

Michael seems like the perfect catch… But he’s also the boss’s son.

When Geoff first moves to a beachfront cottage, he doesn’t mind being single. After all, it’s a small price to pay to focus on his career (even though his overbearing boss seems to hate him). But then young Michael—young, hot, and horny—appears, out of the blue.

Older and tattooed, Geoff is exactly the kind of guy Michael’s dad is going to hate. That makes him hotter, right?

Romance is the last thing on Michael’s mind when he meets the tough-looking, tattooed Geoff one day on the beach. Michael doesn’t bother hoping for anything more than a steamy one-time encounter with this hot DILF—not after everything he’s been through. He may be a survivor, but he knows never to expect good things in his life, or good guys.

Sometimes, the island feels smaller than it is.

Sparks fly when Geoff and Michael meet by chance in their insular island community. They can’t seem to keep away from each other, despite their age gap. But when Geoff realizes that he’s dating his boss’s son, their entire world comes crashing down, and Geoff must choose between his career and his relationship.

You’re the only one who’s made me feel anything good since everything happened...

There is something undeniable between Michael and Geoff, a connection that’s deeper than the mind-blowing sex. Can their bond grow into a life together on the island, or will Michael’s father do anything he can to snuff out the flames of their fire?

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Kay Simone's Out of the Blue is a tender and emotional romance. We all know the type of story. Just when you find someone worth dating...

This story is one of making human connections; of opening one's and heart to someone else.

When we meet Michael, he's floundering, having no idea who he is. He's alone,  grieving his best friend, who he lost to suicide. His relationship is his father is awful, and life just isn't going to plan. One can't help by to immediately sympathize with the young man.

And then there's Geoff. He never expected to really date someone. I absolutely love the tattoos and how they are hidden from the world easily.

The contrast between the men is intriguing, making for a great storyline. The difference between appearance and reality is well explored. The disparity between perceived success versus actual success is extremely well illustrated. 

Their relationship is one of with a large age gap. These are two men who have no idea of their complicated mutual acquaintance, as Geoff's awful boss is Michael's demanding father. And omg, that man is a total ass. 

There story includes a camping trip, which is full of awkward times, misunderstandings, and a little too much alcohol. They are a couple who sizzle in the bedroom, but struggle outside of sex. 

Michael and Geoff are certainly hot together; balancing one another well despite their obvious differences. There's some slight jealousy, fear, and a lot of confusion. The power of grief is also present. 

I love that this is a story about the men first, and then their complicated connection afterwards. It's a nice twist on the forbidden relationship trope that they have things to work out other than the relationship conflict.

This quote is fantastic, something everyone can easily relate to. "You don't know how to miss a thing - or maybe even fully understand the thing - until you had the chance to miss it."

In all, Kay Simone's Out of the Blue is a excellent read. A compelling mix of insta love and slow burn, this book is sure to delight.

Wayward Son (My Best Friend's Brother #3) by Kay Simone

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

“I’ve been halfway around the world, baby. But I had to come home to find out who I am--and who I need by my side.”

Life has never been as sweet for Reese and Otto as it is now--but the Blair family has never been so fractured.

With Cheshire changing around him every day, it’s all too easy for Otto to forget his commitments back in Texas--but good news is around the corner for once. His house in Fort Worth is as good as sold. His role at Sweetpetal Inn expands every day. Even his obstinate little brother is making some desperately-needed changes.

“But what are we going to do about Luke?”

After an ultimatum, Luke must re-examine his actions and his relationship to his foster brother, Reese. But with Luke’s volatile behavior, can anything truly fix the rift between Luke and his best friend this time?

***

Freed from some of his worries at last, Reese finds himself deeply in love with Otto, with his friends, with his life in Cheshire. He never thought he’d be able to find his best life simply by staying put in the town where he was born.

But in the back of his mind, one question looms large: will the Blair family ever feel like a family again?

Wayward Son is the third book in the three-book series, My Best Friend’s Brother. It has a happily-ever-after ending, but is NOT self-contained. Wayward Son contains frank discussions about drug use and recovery.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Wayward Son is a fantastic addition to Kay Simone's My Best Friend's Brother series. If you haven't already read Black Sheep and Golden Boy, do so now. 

In this third book in the series, Otto and Reese are dating, but are still hiding their relationship from Luke. Oh man, the issues with Luke are so damn realistic and well written. It's his reaction to them that spurs all the tension in this series. In the end, it's perfectly handled.

But it's Otto's addiction that really guts me. l love the honest and realistic way in which it's portrayed. Addiction never goes away, and Otto perfectly exemplifies this. I can't praise the way this is written enough. 

Otto's fear of letting people down has always lead his decisions, which is also heartbreaking. I just want to hug young Otto and tell him to stop worrying about everyone else. 

The entire My Best Friend's Brother series is superb. Kay Simone fills the pages with sweetness, love, romance, and the right amount of angst. I truly love this series that follows the same relationship throughout. Everything is wonderful; the men, the town, and the depth of this romance. The ending is superb, with these men having grown as individuals and as a couple.

Wayward Son is a beautiful continuation of Otto and Reese's love story. They are a perfect couple, who definitely belong together. I have absolutely fallen in love with and hate to see the series ending. 

Golden Boy (My Best Friend's Brother Book 2) by Kay Simone

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Who knew coming home could be so complicated?

Back from a 19-year absence, Otto has a bevy of big plans in the works. Reese has given him the opportunity to bring positive change to Cheshire--to prove that green is good. But more importantly, Reese has given Otto a chance to win his heart.  

Installing solar panels is easy. What’s hard is winning his little brother over while planning a date with Reese that will cement Otto in the life of a man who deserves the world. It’s time to pull out all the stops and set aside the person in Otto who pushes people away.  

If it all works out, maybe his brother Luke will accept that Otto is here to stay.

***

There’s no such thing as too good to be true, right?

For once, Reese is excited for the future. Business at the general store is booming, or as booming as any business in secluded Cheshire can be, and his connection with Otto is growing stronger.  

After years of being ground down, Reese’s self-confidence is finally making its way to the foreground. If only his best friend Luke could be supportive and happy for him, things might be perfect.  

There’s just that one pesky detail about falling for Luke’s worst enemy: his brother.

Golden Boy is the second book in the three-book series, My Best Friend’s Brother. It has a happy-for-now ending, but is NOT self-contained. Golden Boy contains frank discussions about drug use and recovery.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Golden Boy, Kay Simone's second book in the My Best Friend's Brother series is a wondeful story of coming home and of taking chances.

The story picks up with Otto and Reese dating, but they aren't a couple yet. They're trying to navigate their way, but there are some obstacles in their way. Reese's weary of Otto, as Otto's brother doubts Otto will stay.

Otto's past with addiction is so darn sad, written with honesty as he's always afraid of relapse. I love that his addiction isn't just magically healed, but rather treated in a realistic manner.

I absolutely love Otto and Reese as a couple. They definitely bring out the best in one another. Their relationship is full of doubts, fears, and insecurities. There's anger, resentment, and ultimately forgiveness. And the humor is fantastic.

I love Golden Boy. It's a beautiful story of second chances and it's well worth a read. I'm excited to get my hands on book three!

Black Sheep (My Best Friend's Brother #1) by Kay Simone

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

“How the hell did I manage to sleep with my best friend’s long-lost brother?”

***

In the heart of the Sierra Nevadas lies the picturesque town of Cheshire, California—a blip on the map, on the way to somewhere nicer. The once-thriving Cheshire is home to a tight-knit group of locals who now struggle to survive on tourism from season to season.

Andy Blair left Cheshire 19 years ago, addicted to opiates and in search of a new beginning. After relapses, detoxes, and even jail time, Andy found the stability and sobriety he was looking for halfway across the country with a new identity: Otto.

But when Otto gets word that his father back in Cheshire is terminally ill and his mother and brother are struggling to keep the family inn afloat, he knows that it’s time to swallow his pride and go home.

Even if he hasn’t talked to his family in almost two decades.

***

When Cheshire-native Mikey left his foster family to find his passion in New York City, he changed his childish first name and imagined he was saying goodbye to Cheshire forever. But Mikey—Reese—was never cut out for New York. The city chewed him up and spat him out, and Reese was forced to return home where his best friend still resented Reese for leaving.

“You left me just like Andy. Everyone leaves...”

Now it’s been two years since he’s been back, and Reese runs Cheshire’s only general store, gas station, post office, bar, and grill—all in one little building. He’s painstakingly mended his friendship with his best friend, and even after the recent death of his foster father, Reese feels like part of a family again.

Reese figures that life has nothing exciting left in store for him.

Then his best friend’s brother walks into Reese’s bar.

***

Nineteen years ago, Mikey and Andy were as good as brothers. But now, Reese and Otto have more catching up to do than either of them realized. After a chance encounter in which neither man recognizes the other, the two must navigate the wreckage of a struggling family, a brother who can’t forgive, and the reality of life in an isolated town in the mountains.

***

Black Sheep is the first book in the three-book series, My Best Friend’s Brother. It has a happy-for-now ending, but is NOT self-contained. This slow burn starts out with a bang and delivers content meant for adult audiences. Black Sheep contains frank discussions about drug use and recovery.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!


Black Sheep is he first book in Kay Simone's My Best Friends Brother series. 

Otto's back in town after years, and immediately has a one night stand with Reese. The twist? They knew each other back when Otto was still known as Andy, but don't recognize one another. 

Now, Otto's back, trying to make up for has past and attempting to rebuild his life. The chemistry between Otto and Reese is fantastic, as is their journey of getting to know each other again, as they are both very different from the young men they once were. 

Their romance is a second chance romance with an age difference. Reese's best friend is Otto's younger brother who's not so quick to forgive his brother for running away in the past. The feelings are intense, as they deal with a lot of regrets and even more wasted time.

Otto's relationship with his family is full of issues, but he's trying to make amends. Once we learn of Otto's backstory, the reader can't help but to root for Otto, both with his family, with Reese, and in general. He made bad choices, but he's admitting his mistakes and making apologies.

In all, this is a beautiful story of the struggle to forgive. The dichotomy between the people's thoughts on forgiveness is well explored and well developed.

It is definitely long, leaving me preferring it to be a little shorter, with less descriptions. But that's my only complaint.


I appreciate the way the author handles the addiction. It felt realistic, and didn't gloss over the process of recovery. 

Family is another big aspect of this story, both the good and the bad. One had a good family growing up but ruined everything, the other had horrific family problems. It explores the importance of belonging to a family, whether it be biological or not. 

Black Sheep is wonderful emotional tale of redemption. Kay Simone gifted us with two fantastic characters and a touching story. Starting with pain and hurt, and ending in love and forgiveness, it's a long journey towards their promising ending.