Title: Beyond the Surface
Series: The Breakfast Club #1
Author: Felice Stevens
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: August 17, 2015
On 9/11, firefighter Nick Fletcher’s world changed forever. He's unable to rid himself of survivor’s guilt, made worse by the secret he hides from his family and co-workers. Nick's life is centered around helping burn victims, until he is reunited with the man he’d once loved but pushed away. Now he has a second chance at a love he thought lost forever.
For fashion designer Julian Cornell, appearances mean everything. His love affairs are strictly casual, and the only thing he cares about is making his clothing line a success. A chance encounter with the man he loved long ago has Julian thinking for the first time in years there may be more to life than being seen at the best parties and what designer labels to wear.
When Julian’s world takes an unexpected turn, it's Nick who helps him regain perspective on what matters most in life. Julian, in turn, helps Nick accept who he is and understand he isn’t responsible for tragedies he couldn't prevent. Lost love found can be even sweeter the second time around and after all the years apart, both men learn to look beyond the surface to find the men they are inside.
Beyond The Surface-The Breakfast Club-Book 1
Nick Fletcher, the fire fighters life changed forever on 9/11 as he couldn't handle that he was a survivor and had huge amounts of guilt plus he's hiding a secret from his family and coworkers. Nick has a second chance at love with a man he pushed away years ago that he came across while helping burn victims.
Julian Cornell is a fashion designer and looks mean everything to him. He goes through men and works on his fashion line. Now with running into the man he once loved, could this be what he's been waiting for? With Julian's world now being turned upside down it's Nick who shows him the real meaning of life and what really matters. Julian also helps Nick in-turn by showing him that he's not responsible for the lives lost and that was out of his control. Can pure unconditional love save these men from themselves?
I love how the author created these characters and developed their love from their first meeting in high school to when they meet again and nothing was more important than having their love save them. Some brilliant writing that shows how drastically their lives have changed when they meet up years later and at the same time how fragile that love is and is also what saves them from themselves.
I really enjoyed how the author brought reality into this great love story and how much Nick and Julian had to fight for the love they so desperately wanted. I like how the author brings 9/11 into the story but yet doesn't make it the tragic part of the novel. Even though the guys have found love, they have plenty of struggles ahead of them such as Nick's family, Juliens friends and of course their own baggage, that they have to come to terms with. I quite enjoyed this very well-written love story and so will you!
Nick Fletcher, the fire fighters life changed forever on 9/11 as he couldn't handle that he was a survivor and had huge amounts of guilt plus he's hiding a secret from his family and coworkers. Nick has a second chance at love with a man he pushed away years ago that he came across while helping burn victims.
Julian Cornell is a fashion designer and looks mean everything to him. He goes through men and works on his fashion line. Now with running into the man he once loved, could this be what he's been waiting for? With Julian's world now being turned upside down it's Nick who shows him the real meaning of life and what really matters. Julian also helps Nick in-turn by showing him that he's not responsible for the lives lost and that was out of his control. Can pure unconditional love save these men from themselves?
I love how the author created these characters and developed their love from their first meeting in high school to when they meet again and nothing was more important than having their love save them. Some brilliant writing that shows how drastically their lives have changed when they meet up years later and at the same time how fragile that love is and is also what saves them from themselves.
I really enjoyed how the author brought reality into this great love story and how much Nick and Julian had to fight for the love they so desperately wanted. I like how the author brings 9/11 into the story but yet doesn't make it the tragic part of the novel. Even though the guys have found love, they have plenty of struggles ahead of them such as Nick's family, Juliens friends and of course their own baggage, that they have to come to terms with. I quite enjoyed this very well-written love story and so will you!
Julian was in the kitchen, sitting on one of the stools by the counter. He had a glass in front of him filled with what Nick presumed was vodka, having spied the Grey Goose bottle.
“Would you like a drink? I have beer, wine…anything you’d like.”
Nick shook his head, regret piercing his heart as he watched the hope drain from Julian’s eyes.
“I don’t think so. I’m going to head home. I want you to know how much I appreciate what you did for Jamal tonight.”
Julian stood abruptly, kicking the stool away from his feet.
“Don’t treat me like I’m some fucking stranger, Nicky. You owe me. It’s been eighteen years; you think I’m going to let you walk out on me again like you did before? After what just happened between us? After you fell apart? No fucking way. I’m not that same person and neither are you, obviously.”
Taken aback by Julian’s anger, Nick remained mute.
“What the hell is going on with you? One minute you’re tongue fucking me into the next century and the next you’re freaking out. I know I’m a damn good kisser, but this isn’t about us, is it? It has nothing to do with our past and everything to do with you and the shit that’s floating around in your head.”
Julian stepped closer to him and Nick, who normally couldn’t stand people near him, was rooted to the floor, unable to move.
“Talk to me, Nicky. Tell me what happened to you.”
He was so tired of holding himself together, feeling like at any moment he’d shatter into a million tiny pieces, leaving nothing behind but a pile of dust.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
The words poured out of him, flowing unchecked this time. “It should’ve been me. We all went to the Towers to save them. It was my day off, but I went anyway. I heard and couldn’t stay home; I had a duty to help, you know? But I lived and they all died. Why, Julian? Why did I live and they didn’t?”
“Oh, Nick.” Julian held him close. “I don’t have the answers for you. No one does. But I’m going to be completely selfish and say I’m so thankful you did make it and we’re here together after all these years.”
Unflinching green eyes gazed back at him. Clever, beautiful eyes that Nick could never stop dreaming of. Eyes that at one time had held the promise of forever, until Nick ruined everything with his cowardice and shame. Unable to maintain Julian’s scrutiny, Nick broke away and ran to the elevator, his chest heaving, eyes stinging with tears.
“Let me out. I need to leave here. NOW.”
I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. I started reading traditional historical romances when I was a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until I picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that my interest in romance novels became renewed.
But somewhere along the way, my tastes shifted. While I still enjoys a juicy Historical romance, I began experimenting with newer, more cutting edge genres and discovered the world of Male/Male romance. Once I picked up her first, I became so enamored of the authors, the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion of the books, I knew I wanted to write my own.
I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
HOSTED BY:
