Review of Beyond the Sea by Keira Andrews

 by Keira Andrews

5 stars

Even if it means quitting their boy band mid-tour, Troy Tanner isn’t going to watch his little brother snort his future away after addiction destroyed their father. On a private jet taking him home from Australia, he and pilot Brian Sinclair soar above the vast South Pacific. Brian lost his passion for flying—and joy in life—after a traumatic crash, but now he and Troy must fight to survive when a cyclone strikes without warning.

Marooned a thousand miles from civilization, the turquoise water and white sand beach look like paradise. But although they can fish and make fire, the smallest infection or bacteria could be deadly. When the days turn into weeks with no sign of rescue, Troy and Brian grow closer, and friendship deepens into desire.

As they learn sexuality is about more than straight or gay and discover their true selves, the world they've built together is thrown into chaos. If Troy and Brian make it off the island, can their love endure?

This is actually the first Keira Andrews book we read, when it first came out, before our blog.  And feeling some nostalgia this week, we decided that it was time for a re-read and we are so glad to spend our time with Troy and Brian.

The great?

-          Story:  this is a fascinating story, we think we say that a lot about Keira Andrew’s books, but so true for Beyond the Sea.  Two very different men marooned on an island, with nothing, so many things to go wrong.  They persevere in spite of their lack of knowledge and the harsh conditions they face they endure and try to thrive.  Even if this wasn’t a romance the story is amazing.

-          Gay-for-You:  Not only do we get one GFY gentlemen, but two!  GFY is one of our fav tropes and Beyond the Sea delivers all the great things about this trope.  Troy and Brian are not only dealing with a traumatic situation, the possibility of not being rescued, but with feelings for each other.  They don’t fall into bed with each other, but struggle with their situation and if their feeling real, or just a result of being faced with their reality.  People do have issues with the GFY trope, but this is a book, a slice away from reality.

-          Romance:  Man we love a good ROMANCE story and this is it.  Troy and Crian only have each other and spend all their time talking, sharing, getting to know each other, taking care of each other and falling in love with the essence of the other person.  There is no hiding between these men.  There is also the feeling that this might be the end for them, so they spill all their deepest darkest secrets and fears.  There are no games, or tricks on angst.  It is falling in love.

-          Characters:  Keira Andrews creates characters that we fall in love with.  We became so invested and immersed in the characters we laughed, grumbled and even shed a tear for them.  There is a heartbreaking scene towards the end, let’s just say that when real life comes back for them and they are like magnets, pushing and pulling against their feelings and what they left behind, and we cried so hard for these men. 

The bad?

-          Cover:  that is the one detractor.  I think we picked this book up by a recommendation, but not something we would have gravitated towards.  And we can’t imagine that we wouldn’t have read this remarkable book or the wonderful Keira Andrews.

Beyond the Sea, is a heartbreaking story of ‘love-is-love’ period.  It is heartbreaking, breathtaking, emotional read, and we adored every second.  Keira Andrews always finds a way to show us love blossoming in arduous ways.  Beyond the Sea is our favorite Keira Andrews book, and might even top our top 10 m/m romance of all time!

Wild by Adrienne Wilder

by Adrienne Wilder

5 stars

August Vallory had it all. A modeling career, a man he loved, and the extended family he’d acquired in the business. Then the world he knew was torn away when the plane he was on crashed en route to a photo shoot.

Lost in the Alaskan wilderness, August doesn’t stand a chance.

No sane man would choose to live in the Alaskan bush unless he had something to hide. And Keegan Brooks has secrets darker than night, more dangerous than wolves, more brutal than an Alaskan winter.
Every day was a fight for his life until he stumbled upon a downed plane with a lone survivor. Now it’s no longer just Keegan’s life teetering on the edge of survival.

Wild by Adrienne Wilder is a heartbreaking story full of struggles, redemption and so much love. This is not a story for the faint of heart, it isn’t your typical boy-meets-boy and falls in love story, it is raw and passionate as SO so so so so much more.  So many different thoughts about this book, so many emotions but ultimately we loved Wild, and dreamed for a happy ending for these men faced with so much.  

Why we loved Wild?

-          The Story – Adrienne Wilder built a stunning story.  The detail work of building Alaska for the reader is outstanding; details about the seasons, hunting, wildlife, all create a story that made us feel like we were there. 

-          The emotions:  There are so many highs and lows in this story it is thrilling, heart-stopping, full of passion and so very raw.  We were dragging into feeling everything the main characters were felling and it added so much to this story.

-          The Romance:  Yes, stuck together in a cabin you could see falling into bed with each other but, it is so much more.  They were sweet together, the needed each other and they took care of each other.  And between the sheets was hot, scorching and snow-melting (!).  We fell in love with them as a couple, and wished so hard for their happy every after.

What could take away from the story?

-          The gore – it is gory.  We didn’t think it was too much, but if you are a city person and a bit squeamish, it might be a bit much.

We couldn’t find we didn’t like about Wild.  It is fast-paced, adventurous, romantic, stunning, daring, heartbreaking, amazing read.  Wild is a hard story, a story full of struggle and we would recommend it a million times over.