Ryker & Gavin: A steamy May/December, forbidden love romance

This is a re-release with a different cover, sone work done in the original release. I found I struggled a bit with this, 5th book in the Something about him series. For some reason or another I found it hard to relate to the characters, for me they felt 'flat' and also I found 'mom' to self centred and annoying. I hope I can enjoy other books in the series more, as I have done before. This is an age gap mm romance. Ryker had an one time thing with Gavin, who turns out to be his estranged mother's bff. His mother kicked him out at 18 when he came out, he struggles when his mom wants to reconnect. Both men get involved and for different reasons they do not tell mom/bff. They find their hfn/ hea. I give the book a 4-.

I am utterly besotted with this series. I enjoy the way A.D. Ellis gives us characters that are flawed and real. This story is no different. Ryker came out to his mom at 18 y.o. and was rejected for his troubles. For the next five years he built a life forged behind walls to lock out the hurt of prenatal absence and fear of romantic entanglements. One chance encounter with Gavin has him questioning how he can break his rule of “no repeats” after a one night stand. Eerily drawn to this stranger he determines it is a fluke and moves on with his life. A brief time later, his mother re-enters his life and brings with her Gavin (her gay best friend). Confused (by his attraction to Gavin and his mother’s change of heart toward gay people) he lashes out at them both. Despite his efforts to the contrary, he is hopelessly drawn to Gavin. Gavin is social awkward and new to town, he befriends Annabeth and tried to help her reconcile with her estranged son. In the process they, despite their age difference, become best friends. A night spent with a strange who he secretly wants to see more of us just a tiny destruction. During the initial meeting of mother and son, Gavin is there to offer support. What he doesn’t expect is that the angry son is also the mesmerizing stranger from the other night. What a holy mess!! Gavin is hurt, angry, and torn. One part of him wants his mother back, but the other half is wondering how she could reject him (her son) and be so accepting of then man. How was his sexual orientation unpalatable, but this man’s sexual orientation is a non issue? Gavin is struggling with another dilemma, what should he do with these intrusive thought of the beautiful young man who is is very much off limits? Not only is Ryker the son of Gavin’s best friend, he is also 14 years younger! Is Ryker to young for Gavin? Will he lose his best friend if he pursues what could be the love of his life? How could the universe be so unkind? Watching these two battle their insecurities, fears, anger, and hurt to find their happily ever after was a delight. As a person who was given a “no option” option by a parent following coming out, I could relate to this story. Luckily my prenatal rejection came as I was an established adult. I couldn’t imagine that level of rejection at 18. This is another great addition to the series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Finding Connection . . . Ryker Hudson had a difficult time when he announced his being gay to his mother. Her reaction caused him to only invest in one-night-stands and not expect anything further. But it was a lonely existence. One of Ryker’s hookups is Gavin Mitchel, and he actually felt something more. Finding out Gavin was friends with his mother would make pursuing a relationship perhaps awkward. Will the two of them be willing to take a chance on a relationship they both seem to want? Despite a 14-year age difference, are the strong feelings of connection for the other strong enough to take that risk? Or will the past and the situation now put too much pressure on them to try?