My dear follower, today’s the day where I want to share my review of Felice Steven’s latest book All or Nothing.
You got my release blitz post yesterday & I already shared my cover reveal post with you.
This post comes with a review & have also a small excerpt, so don’t miss that. :3 Happy reading. :3
All or Nothing by Felice Stevens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*
All or Nothing is a book by Felice Steven I’ve waited long for it, I waited since the moment Felice created these two guys in Learning to Love and they had their first encounter. For me the waiting was worth it and although the book is totally fine to be read as a standalone the established couple from Learning to Love & The Way to his Heart, Jonah and Gideon make an appearance. We also got a few glimpses of Rico in the books before but this time we had – of course him as the main hero – the total focus on him.
Here and there Felice included the previous events but it all starts when both guys meet and from the start the passion is there. I have to say it astonished me a bit, but it wasn’t necessary something bad to have the sexual tension present right from the start. I won’t say it’s total insta-lust but it’s close to it. Still Felice Stevens knows how to capture the reader’s attention, grounds the story with solid character and spice their meetings up with problems. The problems in Rico’s and Adam’s case are different yet both guys have to solve them first to be truly happy at the end.
Felice Stevens is able to create a deep, emotional book but keep parts light, funny and sweet. This book is no exception and Adam is, as many of Felice’s heroes, suffering from a loss of a beloved person from his past. I won’t go further, it would dull the reader’s excitement.
Rico is another matter, he is dealing with his father, he is hiding his sexuality from him and both men have different opinions when it comes to work and reputation.
It is touching how the Adam and Rico manage their problems, how they know they have support, people around who care about them.
I could releate a bit more to Adam and his suffering than to Rico’s problems. I also had my problems with his sometimes stubborn attitude but on the other hand this is what makes him charming on the one hand, and how he is trying to keep his head up, even in desperate times is quite intimidating. He is a pretty good leader and a doer and when the catering shop is in a crisis he handles the problem with unexpected easy.
I really loved the supporting, reappearing character in the book. Gideon and Jonah are such a sweet couple, of course you can’t help yourself and be happy for them. But also the other crew in Gideon’s and Rico’s catering shop is fabulous (I am fond of Sean, to bad this guy has a girlfriend. ;)), as well as the team of Adam’s firehouse and the knit tight community (Washington in his apron cracked me up :D). I also had fun with the scenes with Mr. D., such a charming man. :3
Rico’s wish to be more in tune with his father and having a closer family relationship hit pretty hard and it was one of the hardest parts at the end of the book. I can totally understand where Rico’s wish comes from and I think Felice Stevens did a great job in showing the diversity in Adam’s and Rico’s heritage and where Rico’s family come from (although Rico is second generation).
Adam’s history is totally devastating and I had to pause at a moment; it is totally palpable how Adam is effected by this and even years later he isn’t over it. Although he seems calm and always happy, he suffers enormously.
This is just getting worse when there is the one scene with the teenage boy. This was a truly horrible scene to endure and I was actually crying and screamed a loud “no way, Felice” while reading. At this point I want to make a trigger warning for the mentioning and display of suicide, past and present in the book.
This book leaves me with several emotions, of course Felice writes a HEA but the way until then is rocky. I really loved the intimate relationship between those two, the different character & their attitudes and how they support each other but still have their own problems to solve.
The supporting cast and the well-known character make the book even more pleasurable but for new starters it’s not problem to get into the story.
5 out of 5 stars for this, truly recommended and I am so happy Rico and Adam find their HEA after they first met in a pretty unexpected way. ❤ Sometimes the true love is right behind the next corner. :3
All or Nothing an all-new, steamy MM romance by Felice Stevens is LIVE!
BLOG TOUR
Title: All or Nothing
Author: Felice Stevens
Series: The Together # 3
(can be read as standalone)
Genre: M/M Romance, Contemporary
Release Date: October 3, 2017
Cover Design: Reese Dante
Photography: Golden Czermak of FuriousFotog
Cover Models: Mikey Lee and David Michael
Lenght: 119 pages
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PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon US| Amazon UK
Amazon AU | Amazon CA
Paperback
Blurb
A past he couldn’t forget
Adam Barton is living his dream of working as a firefighter in his small Texas town, but a tragedy from his youth continues to haunt him. He decides New York City is the perfect place to start a new life and joins the FDNY, living and loving his own way—no strings and nothing personal. Until he catches sight of Rico Estevez, the sexy chef with the mysterious smile who rocks his world. After one explosive night together, Adam craves another….And then another. The more he and Rico are together, the more Adam wants him.
A future he never imagined
Rico Estevez is living a lie. For years he’s hidden his sexuality, afraid to hurt the career of his politically ambitious father. He’s the perfect American―the best schools, top of his class and most importantly, to his father, a successful businessman. Who needs a boyfriend when sex is so easy to find? Starting a torrid love affair with Adam Barton isn’t a problem; neither one is looking toward forever. But Rico’s father is about to get the chance of a lifetime and Rico feels forced to play by his rules.
Rules are made to be broken
Adam proves more unforgettable than Rico ever imagines, but he gives in to family pressures above personal desire. When a fire reunites them, both men discover their passion for each other hasn’t died; rather it’s stronger than ever. Want turns to need and something more dangerous to their hearts—love. Adam and Rico know if they want to have it all, they can let no one and nothing stand in their way of a life together.
Excerpt
“I don’t know why it’s been so hard to forget this. I should become numb to it like the other guys.”
“That’s not who you are. You care about people. It’s why you do your job so well.”
Surprised at Rico’s insight, Adam gave him a shy smile. “I didn’t think you noticed.”
“I noticed.”The song ended, yet they remained on the dance floor, with Rico half-hidden in the shadows, silent yet with a presence so overpowering, Adam couldn’t help but be drawn to him. Rico reached up, grasped the nape of his neck, and pressed their mouths together, and as always, it took only the touch of those firm lips to crumble his defenses. They remained on the dance floor, kissing until the sound of whistles and clapping brought Adam back to reality.
Shrugging it off, Rico took his hand, and they returned to the bar, where their burgers awaited them. That revelation by Rico had shaken Adam, and he chewed and swallowed his food, sneaking sideways glances at Rico, frustrated at his inability to gain any sense of Rico’s thoughts behind that neutral mask.
“So how long have you two been dating?” Dale wiped up the counter, getting rid of their empty plates.
Holding his breath, Adam waited for Rico to answer.
“It’s not like that. We’re friends.”
“Yeah.” Adam gave Dale a weak grin, but by the bartender’s dubious expression and quirked dark brow, Rico’s explanation didn’t go far toward convincing Dale.
“Whatever you say, Rico.” He set a fresh foamy glass of beer in front of each of them. “Here’s to your kind of friendship. I’d like to find it for myself.”
“I need to settle the check. Here’s my card.” Rico scowled and flicked the card over to Dale, then took a long drink, finishing half his beer in one gulp. Not once had he looked at Adam since they’d sat down from dancing.
Unsure what to do or say, Adam sat quietly and finished off his drink while Rico signed the receipt. When Rico got up to leave, Adam followed his lead and shook Dale’s hand.
“Thanks for everything.”“No, thank you. And take care of him. He’s kind of a mess.”
“You coming?” Rico’s face was a storm of emotions.
Without responding to Dale, Adam hurried outside to join Rico, who’d already left. “Rico, wait up.”
Rico halted and turned, his face no less dark than earlier, but Adam recalled his words on the dance floor.
“Uh, thanks for dinner. Do you want—”
“Come back with me?” Rico crowded close, his breath smelling sharp from the beer, and Adam wanted to taste his tongue. “Spend the night?”
While in Leary’s, Adam hadn’t been certain he’d be invited back to Rico’s, but he wasn’t about to question his luck right now.
“Yeah, if you want.”
Rico ran his nose down Adam’s cheek, and goosebumps prickled up his arms despite the warmth of the evening.
“I want,” Rico whispered. “I want you.”
The Together series
Start the Series of Standalones Today!
Learning to Love
Goodreads
Amazon US | Amazon UK
iBooks | Nook
Kobo
The Way to His Heart (novelette)
(new cover; content unchanged)
Goodreads
Amazon US | Amazon UK
iBooks | Nook
Kobo
Author bio – Felice Stevens
I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner, My characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love, but getting there is oh so fun and oh so sexy.
I live in New York City with my husband and two children. 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 are bound to be a few bumps along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
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