Bonfires

By: Amy Lane

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Ten years ago Sheriff's Deputy Aaron George lost his wife and moved to Colton, hoping growing up in a small town would be better for his children. He's gotten to know his community, including Mr. Larkin, the bouncy, funny science teacher. But when Larx is dragged unwillingly into administration, he stops coaching the track team and starts running alone. Aaron - who thought life began and ended with his kids - is distracted by a glistening chest and a principal running on a dangerous road.

Larx has been living for his kids too - and for his students at Colton High. He's not ready to be charmed by Aaron, but when they start running together, he comes to appreciate the deputy's steadiness, humor, and complete understanding of Larx's priorities. Children first, job second, his own interests a sad last.

It only takes one kiss for two men approaching 50 to start acting like teenagers in love, even amid all the responsibilities they shoulder. Then an act of violence puts their burgeoning relationship on hold. The adult responsibilities they've embraced are now instrumental in keeping their town from exploding. When things come to a head, they realize their newly forged family might be what keeps the world from spinning out of control.

©2017 Amy Lane (P)2017 Dreamspinner Press

Bonfires

4.5 Stars

I was not expecting this book to be so suspenseful. Really, from the cover I thought it would be more of a sappy romance, with some random family issues and drama thrown in, and WOW!! was I surprised when it wasn’t. Don't let the cover fool you, either, lol. This book was great. A good surprise that pulls you in right from the beginning and keeps you on the edge of your seat every step of the way in needing to know what happens next, and who it will happen to.

I loved that this book featured two later-in-life 40y/o men finding their second chance together. It was super sweet, and really fun to see them acting like teens in a new relationship at times. I know they were older and that sometimes it really didn't feel that way when they talked and interacted with others, but to me that made it all seem more real. They both had kids up to being teenagers/young adults so it was refreshing to see they weren't stuffy and older sounding (40s isn't really that old). I really appreciated the fact that both men made sure that their responsibilities in life (kids and families) were taken into consideration first over their feelings and any relationships they both might have had. It really showed their characters in a positive view.

I think that their jobs - Aaron as the sheriff and Larks as the school principal - really helped them form a deeper bond as well, especially when things started getting a little crazy in their town. They could lean on each other and stand together when it was really needed. These guys were seriously awesome characters.

I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. One of the main points of this story was the small-town thinking and the overwhelming hate that can come from it. I really believe these guys and their kids and all their friends dealt with the events that happened in an affirmative way. I was a little confused by some of the actions that happened during the conclusion to the mystery aspect and the people who were caught. There were just a few facts that weren’t explained well enough for my liking, but overall this book was a great way to spend some time.

My one hope after finishing this book is that Kellen gets a book too, so he can have his own HEA. He totally deserves it after everything he was put through, the poor boy - I felt so bad for him.

Audio – Nick J. Russo did a great job with the character voices for both men and their families and all the secondary characters we came into contact with. I really liked that I listened to this one in audio compared to just reading it, because I think the suspense and mystery aspect had a bigger impact with being able to listen to the story play out. Great job and I’m onto the next (audio)book in this series.

Sometimes a book actually lives up to the hype

I've seen this book recommended several times in various Facebook but groups that I'm apart of, and I finally bit the bullet and got the audio version. It is excellent. Sweet, without being too saccharine, and heart wrenching without being too sad. Two single dads finally stop dancing around each other and give themselves the opportunity to fall in love. The characters are loveable and relatable, and I'll definitely read it again.

A matured romance

This was not your typical romance story -it was so much better. Matured characters, deep story line even the grown children add to the story and it doesn't detract from the romance between the MCs . It has a bit of a whodunit vibe, I was very suspicious of the suspect somewhere in the middle of the story. I loved it. Kept me enthralled from start to finish. I hope their story continues in a book 2. Sad that the story is over.

4.5 stars- A great story featuring older heroes

Bonfires has been on my to-read list for a while now, so when I saw the opportunity to review the audiobook version, I was stoked. Even better, it features a reliable, favorite narrator of mine. So yeah, I went in expecting great things…and I wasn’t disappointed in the least.

The plot, characters, and style immediately drew me in. I love having different heroes, so two single, older fathers getting a shot of finding love later in life intrigued me. The men were both incredibly personable with distinct backstories which made for an unexpected but fantastic couple. Things between Larx and Aaron were never rushed because they both have families and professional careers to consider, and I loved seeing the feelings, chemistry, and sexual tension build between these two. The wait was certainly worthwhile to; this was a feel good couple who warmed my heart and sometimes heated my cheeks.

I also enjoyed the side plot in Bonfires. It added some unanticipated conflict to the story, and created opportunity for relationship and character growth. For the most part, it didn’t feel contrived and certainly fit with the stereotypical small town mentality. I liked that things weren’t too easy for this couple, considering neither were publicly out, if it had been all flowers and sunshine, I think my interest may have waned. I also liked that the conflict and town’s response eventually balanced for a satisfying conclusion.

The pacing, writing, and dialogue throughout Bonfires was steady with a nice flow. Aaron and Larx’s voices were distinct and echoed their individual personalities and even secondary characters had distinct voices that fit with their age and experience. I really loved that that author worked humor into the exchanges. It livened up the dialogue and made the characters more vibrant and relatable. Additionally, it helped balance the tone when the conflicts turned up in intensity, keeping any angst from weighing down the plot. Mr. Russo’s narration echoed the smooth writing style of Miss Lane, and he delivered a flawless performance. I was easily able to distinguish between speakers and whose point of view I was hearing, and the dialogue was delivered with a lively tempo that brought the scenes to life. Bonfires is definitely worth the read, not too easy or sweet, but not overly filled with angst or drama, and I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook version.


*Reviewed for Alpha Book Club*

Not sure I would but it again

This is my 78 th book. I have enjoyed 95% of the total, but this one was a little off. The Performance was great The player were off. The ending was a total drop.

Enjoyed the older guys, it seems that the older gay man who made us get the freedom we have today don’t get much action, which was nice to see in this novel. But the two younger guys outcome was not real at all

Older guys, but don't let that put you off.

This couple have had lives... marriages, children, careers, heart-aches... it's complicated. But they are as sweet and as sexy as they can be! And the story is chock full of events and drama, despite the small town setting. A supporting cast of caracters and their sub-plots are wonderfully interwoven with the growing relationship. Amy Lane is a masterful writer who can make every little detail fascinating. Narrator does a good job bringing it all to life.

Fantastic

I regret holding on to this for so long before listening to it. Larx and Aaron were fantastic and the story was great

Beautiful beautiful book

So much emotion!
It was a great and touching read
But the narration added so much more!
Starting now the second book, hopefully three will be a third one soon

4.5 Stars

Any additional comments?

There was a lot I loved about this story. From the plot, to the characters, to the romance...I loved pretty much everything.

I absolutely love when I get to see older characters have a chance at romance too. I love that both Aaron and Larx are in their late 40s with baggage and kids and it seemed real. Their romance seemed possible.

Both men are bisexual, but Aaron has always found it easier to be with women so as not to rock the boat. But Aaron has been watching Larx for ten years, and when he finally makes the decision to approach and start something. I loved how the romance blooms spectacularly from there.

I love the way Nick J. Russo narrated this from his wonderful character voices for Aaron and Larx and all the kids and secondary characters, to the way he brings out the emotions without going over the top, to his inflection, tone and pacing. This was an absolutely delightful listen. I was so mad every time I'd have to stop and would wait impatiently to be able to push "play" again.

Nick J. Russo is a go-to narrator for me - if I'm on the fence and not sure whether a book might be right for me and I see he's the one narrating it? Instant buy, because I know he, along with a handful of other narrators, will always entertain me.

The story itself made me mad (on behalf of the main characters and some of the kids), made me laugh, and made me happy. Call me a mush - but this one hit me right in the feels.

Recommended!

Inclusion in schools is the keyword!

I love this story. My favorite scene was the School Board meeting when Principal Larkin "told like it is" an shut down the homophobic bigots.

The narrator was real good and brought the characters and scenes to life.

Can't wait to listen to the sequel, Crocus!