Bonfires

A rating...

My Review:
Overall: 4.5
Performance: 4.5
Story: 4.75

OMG, I loved this book so, so much. This story is about two older men. Larx is the high school principal. Aaron is the deputy sheriff. Their romance begins when Aaron stops to warn Larx about running on a road with no shoulder. It would be a shame if Larx and his very distracting bare torso became road-pancake. That ends up with them becoming running partners.

They also both have teenagers at the school and as a situation arises with a couple of the football players, they become partners in trying to make the school safe for all the kids.

Seriously, I loved this book so much. Larx works with high schoolers everyday and they love him. He's a great guy who truly cares about his students and they know that about him.

At issue though, for both men, is that their small town isn't all that progressive. If they come out their jobs could be in jeopardy. The entire story worked brilliantly for me. I loved the various teenagers...from the two heroes three kids to the football players, especially the one who was floundering with his family. My heart broke for him.

The book was brilliant. The audio was amazing. I think this will probably be one of those books that I'll listen to again. I do know I need to order it in print, too, because I definitely want it on my keeper shelf.

I loved this book and HIGHLY recommend it!

7 sur 7 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Outstanding from any perspective

I used to wish there were more books about middle-aged people falling in love, but then Amy Lane wrote Bonfires and this one is so good I’m not sure the trope can be duplicated or improved upon.
Aaron is a deputy sheriff, possibly someday the town’s sheriff, if things go to plan. He was married and the father of two daughters and one son. His wife died 10 years ago and Aaron begins exploring his bisexuality when Larx comes into his life. He’s known Larx for a long time but not this way. Aaron has focused on raising his children and doing his job, after moving to a small town where he feels they will grow up safer.
Larx, whose real first name is a secret for most of the book, for good reason, was also married and the father of two daughters. He and his wife divorced, and she plays almost no role in his life or in this book. He is the reluctant but excellent principal of the small town high school. He is also bisexual, and, like Aaron, is approaching 50. When Aaron and Larx’s lives intersect a lot is going on, including love, children, a murder, two boys kissing publically at the annual bonfire, homophobic town people, and a stabbing. It’s a lot to deal with, but Larx is so good at handling everything he’s almost too perfect. But then, that’s what the town and his family needs – a good man.
Larx and Aaron are not out to everyone initially but we get there eventually, and that’s another good thing. The teenagers in the story, including Larx’s, Aaron’s, and the student body at Larx’s school, are exemplary kids. A girl whose mother is a piece of work is caught up in a terrible tragedy that is never completely resolved, but a catastrophe this child goes through could not be resolved quickly or at all.
I enjoyed listening to this story on audiobook as well as reading along in ebook format. That’s my favorite way to enjoy books, two media at once. The narrator, Nick J. Russo, has also been the audiobook reader for several other MM romances I’ve enjoyed, so I was sure this was going to be a perfect reading. And it was. Sorting different voices for the men as well as realistically covering the female voices is a talent that Mr. Russo handles extremely well.
Highly recommended in any format you may choose to enjoy.

7 sur 7 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

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.

5 sur 5 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Bonfire of Home and Heart

This is a comfortable flowing story of 2 really great guys - Aaron and Larks - love this narrator, love these two and their almost lyrical give and take and belief in family and this journey they're all on together. One of the better romances I've read this year. Don't want this book to end and I will listen again. Thanks Amy, I'll look forward to more from you and very much appreciated Chase in Shadow narrated by Sean Crisden as well!

3 sur 3 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Beautiful Story Narrated Perfectly by Nick J Russo

Not too familiar with the writing of Amy Lane, I jumped at the chance to review Bonfires because it was narrated by one of my favorites, Nick J. Russo. I am thoroughly impressed by both the beautiful story and Russo’s perfect narration. This tale has everything I could want: Hot guys, a creative mystery, some interesting family drama, and a very important message.

What a terrific book, and read to me by Nick J. Russo? It’s a win!

Aaron and Larx are such interesting characters. Both men are approaching 50, bisexual, and are single parents who have spent the last 10 years raising their kids. When Aaron gets his courage up to pursue Larx (admittedly he didn’t have to chase too hard) and the two finally get it together, they are on fire. This relationship is Aaron’s first experience with a man, and the scenes of Larx gently guiding Aaron into the wonderful world of hot gay sex, oh yeah it is so well done!

Lane does an excellent job painting the picture of a small, homophobic, rural town filled with interesting characters, and she includes enough action to make nine and a half hours fly by.

Most importantly, I love the messages Lane is sending out - of tolerance, acceptance, and blending folks together to create a family. The drama that unfolds brings these issues to a head, forcing Aaron and Larx to figure out a way to work it all out.

I can’t think of any narrator better suited to this story than Nick J. Russo. The variety in the voices he uses always impresses me, but he has really outdone himself with this one. He imbues such a personal note in both of the main men and they just completely come alive. All the secondary characters are creatively done, and Russo’s performance definitely enhances Amy Lane’s wonderful writing.

Bonfires is a beautifully written story with a powerful message, presented flawlessly by Nick J. Russo.

I enjoyed every minute of the audio version of this book and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a sweet and smushy second time around romance, with lots of other fantastic stuff thrown in to boot.

2 sur 2 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

This is one of my new Favorite Amy Stories!

As you all know, I am a huge Amy fan. I’ve read nearly everything the woman has written and I not only admire her writing but think she’s pretty awesome as a person. From knowing a bit about her backstory, I can tell she wrote this book with her own experiences in mind. Larx is a high school principal – reluctantly – and a single parent. He was married before, but after exposing his bi-sexuality his wife left him and the kids. He’s moved from the city (other bad stuff happened there) to a small town to start over. Now, seven years later, he’s still single and thinking it will stay that way til his kids are graduated.

Aaron is the small town deputy, slated for Sherriff in the upcoming years. His wife died in a car accident and though he’s always considered himself bi-sexual he’s never acted on it and really never thought to do anything about it until his kids graduated. When he sees Larx – the man he’s known for years- running down the highway without a shirt a light switches on in his head and suddenly all those plans he had, change.

**
Part of what I absolutely love about this book is that the characters are closer to 50 than 40 and they feel so very REAL. They aren’t in perfect shape – Aaron struggles with his diet – they aren’t sleeping with everything that they see – neither has had any sort of significant anything for years – and they’re parents and their jobs first – not slaves to their lust! They live real lives and have real concerns and yet… Amy manages to find the romance in their lives and bring it out for all to see. It’s magnificent!

In addition to being real people, they have real kids. Neither of them was/is a perfect parent and their kids aren’t perfect either – well – Kirby and Christi might be but…. ☺ …. The kids fight, do dumb things and make mistakes. But – they aren’t evil incarnate either.

I did not see the ending coming… I mean I kinda did… but not exactly. Amy played the mystery out perfectly with just enough hints that you could see how we got there by the end, but it wasn’t hitting me in the face the entire time making me wonder how the MCs couldn’t see the obvious answer.

The good news/ bad news is the “bad guy” in the story is unfortunately very real and very possible. Maybe there were some exaggerations for impact sake, but, unfortunately the people like this exist and that’s up for discussion later.

As for the romance. Ahhhhhhh. Man, I loved these two guys together – so much! If I had any complaints at all it was that we didn’t get to see them together outside of a tense situation for very long. I wanted to see these two settled down and living life – quietly! – for a bit – just because they worked so hard for it (and so did I)!

We also get a bit of a secondary romance (or two!) and I really hope those characters get their own book in the future!

I can’t recommend this enough. It was sweet, exciting, romantic, touching, and also really, really relevant and thought provoking. For fans of the author this is a must, and for any parents, people from small towns, people with brains, or people with hearts – this is a must read!

6 of 5 stars

Audio

Well, you know I love Amy and you know I love Nick so together – Oh Yeah!

Nick is just amazingly well suited to Amy’s language. I love how his voice gives life to her characters. I absolutely fell in LOVE with Aaron’s voice and thought Larx’s voice suited him as well. Nick does the younger voices well, including the females. While it was different than I’d imagined, I loved his choice for Yoshi, too.

All in all a great way to enjoy this and a perfect choice!

6 of 5 stars

2 sur 2 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

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!

2 sur 2 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Bonfires

I loved this book so when it came out on audio, I had to buy it. I hadn’t listened to it but with the upcoming release of Crocus I decided it was time to refresh my memory. I love this story, in both formats!

1 sur 1 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

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!

1 sur 1 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

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.

1 sur 1 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.