Results May Vary: A Novel By: Bethany Chase

Book Description...

"She never saw it coming. Without even a shiver of suspicion to warn her, Caroline Hammond discovers that her husband is having an affair with a man—a revelation that forces her to question their entire history together, from their early days as high school sweethearts through their ten years as a happily married couple. In her now upside-down world, Caroline begins envisioning her life without the relationship that has defined it: the loneliness of being an “I” instead of a “we”; the rekindled yet tenuous closeness with her younger sister; and the unexpected—and potentially disastrous—attraction she can’t get off her mind. Caroline always thought she knew her own love story, but as her husband’s other secrets emerge, she must decide whether that story’s ending will mean forgiving the man she’s loved for half her life, or facing her future without him."

Title:  Results May Vary
Author:  Bethany Chase
Publisher:  Ballantine Books
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Results May Vary:  A Novel" by Bethany Chase

My Thoughts....

This was quite a read about a marriage that after ten years has broken up due to her husband having an affair.  This was an exceptional well written portrayal of complications of a marriage and infidelity. Was this the kind of affair that could be reconciled after some counseling for Caroline and Adam? Well, in this case there seemed to be to many lies, betrayal, humiliation and complications that kept coming out that will simply have you shaking your head and saying 'REALLY.'  This author did a wonderful job at bringing out the emotions and heartbreak that can happen in situations like this read showing how a marriage can be turned up side down and leaving you with many questions to what had happened for this to come to this end.  Why was it so hard to Adam to explain this situation to Caroline why this had happened? Will Caroline be able to forgive the man she has loved for half of her life or just face the future without Adam?

I love the quotes about love  that were presented at the beginning of each chapter and how this author was able to share a certain amount of information about gay issues was very nicely done.

The characters ...[Caroline, Adam, Jonathan, Ruby, Neil]to name a few in this story were all well developed, defined, portrayed, and believable giving you quite an engaging good read.  

The novel really gives the reader something to think about long after the read and that is  'CAN YOU EVER REALLY KNOW THE PERSON YOU LOVE?'  Well. what will happen as Caroline's fairy tale life comes tumbling down? Will Caroline be able to pick  herself up and keep on moving ahead after she finds out the total truth about her husband?  To find out about it all you will have to pick up this good read to see how this author will bring it all out to you as she give the reader 'an unflinching look at the anguish of a disintegrating marriage.'  It will be definitely a read you will not forget any time soon. 

Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book for a fair and impartial review

Breakfall By: Kate Pavelle

Title:  Breakfall [Book 1 of the Fall Trilogy]
Author:  Kate Pavelle
Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:

"Breakfall" by Kate Pavelle.....

What was this novel about?

"Sexual assault doesn't discriminate. Aikido instructor Sean Gallaway learns that when he falls prey to a violent stalker. Asbjorn Lund, a karate sensei on campus and a Navy vet, yearns to teach Sean how to survive. How to overcome. How to recover. Sean feels hunted and alone as the stalker escalates, testing his boundaries. With the entire dojo at his back, Sean resolves to play bait. He will catch the animal stalking him and reclaim his sense of self if it's the last thing he does. Yet Sean's hunger for justice clashes with Asbjorn's protective streak, and their budding romance might not survive their war of wills."


My thoughts from the read...

I thought what a interesting book cover and when I went on to find out what this novel was about  I thought this may be good so I read "Breakfall." And YES, it is about gay partners.   I must say I did like the martial arts going on but  I really wasn't able to follow it all  due to all of the references and its sayings?  However, I kept on reading and found the two main characters were definitely alpha males and after all that happens the main question will be will they be able to work it all out in the end?  There will have to be a lots of giving of space for one of the characters and for the other one to back off some  but isn't that what love is all about...being there for each other and the give and take?   Will these stubborn alpha males learn how to love each other while maintain their individuality?  Well,  I will not give any of it away other than to say you will have to pick up this read "Breakfall" to see how this will bring it all out to the reader.   You will have to wait and see because this author will leave the reader with a cliff hanger, so we will have to wait for the next trilogy!

A Seasonal Reunion By: Anne Brooke

Title:  A Seasonal Reunion
Author:  Anne Brooke
Publisher: A.B.
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:

"A Seasonal Reunion" by Anne Brooke....

What was this novel about?

Danny Brigson makes a serious mistake when he sleeps with Marty, an old boyfriend at an ill-advised reunion. He tries to cover it up, but Marty tells all, and the love of Danny's life, Jake, throws him out.

Over the next year, Danny tries to sort his life out, determined to stop relying on drugs and drink to get him through. Can he even dare to hope that one day Jake might give him the chance to put things right?

What I thought about this novel...

The author presents a short story to the reader showing what Danny had done to  cause hurt from a mistake that he made while drunk. Will his partner(Jake)  be able to forgive him after finding out what had gone on with  Danny and his ex?  This author took us on a little journey of fixing Danny and YES, this is a gay read.  Thankful for Danny's friend and boss Robert, will  he be able to get him on the right track that he so desperately needed?  From the read you  can see just how this was done and I will stop here not wanting to spoil it and say you must pick up the read to see what the outcome will be for Danny.  Will Danny be able to fix his problems so he can have a lasting relationship with his partner Jake?  I found "A Seasonal Reunion" was a story of what can happen in a relationship when one steps out whether it is due to drugs and or alcohol, whatever the case may be.  I will say it was an interesting story seeing how this story plays out.