Book Title: Bernie
Author: A E Ryecart
Publisher: A E Ryecart
Cover Artist: Meredith Russell
Genre: Contemporary MM Romance
Length: 60,600 words
#4 in the Barista Boys series, but it can be read as a standalone
Blurb
“You fix the lives of others. The waifs and strays, the lost and broken, you fix them all, Bernie. But the life that needs fixing most of all is your own.”
Bernie Porter is a haunted man. He holds tight to the guilt that he was responsible for the death of the only one he’s ever loved, a man he vowed to protect and keep safe.
Every frightened and damaged kid who washes up at Barista Boys door, Bernie rescues each and every one – all because of the man he failed to save so many years before.
Emotionally and physically scarred, Jared Hastings survived a night of violence and madness that almost left him dead. As he emerges from the nightmare that threatened to destroy him, Jared’s determined to plunge head-first into a future that’s free from the horrors of his past.
A night-time street robbery, and Bernie and Jared are thrown into each other’s worlds. But as fast as Jared comes into Bernie’s life, he’s gone, leaving Bernie with the gnawing conviction he’s let something precious slip through his fingers.
Their paths cross again in a way neither could have foreseen. From their first tentative steps, the slow burn of their relationship gathers pace. But as dark histories are revealed, and souls and hearts bared, each man finally comes to understand they can fix not just themselves, but each other.
Buy Links ~ Available on KU
A faint aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg and cocoa floated on the air, underscored by a subtle spice. Bernie breathed in deep, the scent an intoxicating mix of expensive cologne and the warmth of Jared’s skin. Bernie licked his lips as unaccustomed nerves overtook him. In the sunny garden, the timing was different, the situation was different. He opened his mouth, ready to ask if he could see Jared again. He’d seen, he was sure he’d seen, a glimmer of interest in those big blue eyes. There was only one way to find out. Before he could speak Jared asked a question which stopped him dead. “You know,” Jared said as tilted his head towards the wicker chairs for them to sit down, “I never for one moment expected to run into my Good Samaritan again, and especially not here. Lindy said you’re an old friend of Mikey’s. How long have you known him?” Bernie sipped his drink, buying himself time. This wasn’t a conversation he wanted, but it was inevitable the question would come up. How he’d met Michalis was tangled and screwed up, and a nightmare that haunted him still. The innocent question had a far from innocent answer. He needed to pick his words carefully as he had no idea how much, if anything, Jared knew about his brother-in-law’s business activities. “I’ve known Mikey for years. We met when he had business interests in nightclubs.” The answer was bland, but it was true, every single word of it. Jared had been about to take a swig of beer, but he paused and tapped the rim of the neck against his lower lip. Bernie watched him, seeing the questions swimming in his eyes. “Do you still work with him?” Bernie stared into eyes that didn’t flinch or waiver. He’d never said he’d worked with or for Michalis. He’d deliberately omitted that part, but Jared was smart and had seen through his carefully constructed answer. What Jared thought of that, Bernie had no way of knowing. But this was a question he could answer in all honesty, and with no ambiguity. “No, I don’t. I worked with him in the early days, and not for long. We parted company and took very different paths in life but we’ve remained good friends and I hope we always will.” “Good.” Neither spoke, nor moved, as they looked deep into each other’s eyes. Bernie exhaled a long breath, and Jared’s lips curled up into a big smile that held more than a hint of relief. Whatever Jared meant by his one word answer, Bernie wasn’t going to delve, not when Jared was smiling at him and making his heart beat faster.
Review
*****
Bernie and Jarod meet when Bernie is walking home and finds Jarod crumpled up on the pavement, after being attacked. Both men find the other attractive and there a spark betwen them.
Both main characters have had a dark troubled past that has left them both with mental scars. They have to work out how they navigate their budding relationship and learn to let the other into their history and hope they stay around after what they both preceive to be such a dark past they have lived.
Of course Bernie the owner of Barista Boys cafe in London is use to drama and working with troubled young men. But this time the troubled people are himself and his new love Jarod.
The characters come alive and you really connect with them, you really get a feeling of family at the end too. Though you would think the story may be dark and gloomy, it is not and is well written with some humour to lighten the dark memories.
I think I may need to speak with my bank manager as I now need to buy and read the whole series.
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October 27
MM Good Book Reviews REVIEW
Megan's Media Melange REVIEW
October 28
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MM Midnight Cafe REVIEW
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