Title: Finley
Author: Ella Frank
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: March 22, 2016
OUR REVIEW:
Shel: Finley was an unexpected surprise --I think that after reading the Logan + Tate series I made some assumptions about what this novel would be and let's just say that I was really really wrong in my guesses and thank gawd because this novel was better than anything I'd dream up in a million years. Court: I liked it. I was surprised at how the characters knew each other, and how things were so intertwined with the past. The frustrations and anger that Daniel felt with how his life has turned out was palpable, and I felt for him. Things were made complicated, and could've been so much simpler. They hurt my heart!
Shel: First, within pages I was completely enamored with Finn and Brantley and reading about their second chance at a relationship. Their struggle to know the 'new' versions of each other while reconciling it with what they knew from the past felt very real. I imagine that many people could identify with that weird limbo-land where you think you know things (and you do) but many things have also changed and you don't quite know how or where you fit. I also loved getting to know Finn and Brantley in the here and now while also getting to know them through the flashbacks that were woven into crucial parts of the plot; kudos to Ella Frank and her team for making those parts of the novel mesh so well together. Court: The way things feel apart for them were so hard, so I was afraid of how and if and when things would com to a head between them. I really enjoyed too how Ella brought in how they met. I enjoyed seeing each of their friendship with Jordan and Derek so much. I felt like they were much more themselves in those scenes, and I liked that way to get to know them. And when they were together, it was magic.
Shel: Second, I loved that even though there were few 'angsty' bits, it felt less overly dramatic and more emotional. You could tell that these two characters had genuine love and respect for each other and because of that they didn't play games or try to manipulate each other; there was a certain sweetness, or maybe it's a tenderness, to this love story that I just can't stop thinking about. I appreciated that this novel was truly an exploration of their emotional journey and not just a series of conflicts to get us to the end (if that makes sense?). Court: It does. And for that I have been conflicted on how much I felt for the story. I really enjoyed it, but I am feeling somewhat of an asshole because it didn't go *there* for me when I was reading it and I can't decide if it was because there wasn't the extra external conflicts. That is jacked to me, I realize, because normally if there is too much going on I find that annoying. SO! I have thought about it, and I really liked this in the end because, like Shelley said, the emotional journey these two had to go on for the prospects of forgiveness, happiness, and learning to be selfless and how that can encompass so many different facets was really an inspiring lesson for me to learn.
Shel: Third, after reading this novel I feel as though I need to retire (NOW) to the beach. This novel wasn't just a love story between two characters, it felt like a love note to the beach. I wanted to be in that beach house with those swirling curtains (where's my teleporting machine when I need it?!). I wanted to run on the freaking beach. I practically could feel the warmth of the sun and the sand between my toes and gahhhh, Ella Frank, you've ruined me until I can get there. Court: I hadn't thought about it this way, but wow. You're right. Ella Frank, can we join you on a beach somewhere please...STAT!
Shel: I am quite sure that I could go on and on about the many things that made this novel work for me--Finn's mom, the wonderfully erotic scenes, Posh Spice, etc. etc. but I suppose what you should know is that I could not put it down, I inhaled this love story in hours, I hated to see it end, and am hoping against hope that two certain secondary characters have a novel of their own in the future (please?). Court: The story is a flawless read, and really an emotional journey between Finley and Brantley and their journey to love. The will they, or won't they kicked up when Finn had to make some heavy decisions. Read this one, and yay for a little bit of a cameo of some of our favorites.
Blurb
It's time to come home, Finn.
It’s been seven years since Daniel Finley left his hometown in Florida for the hustle and bustle of Chicago’s city life.
Since then, he’s worked hard for his position at the prestigious law firm Leighton & Associates, even when it’s caused distance and isolation from his family and friends. But that’s all about to change.
On his thirtieth birthday, he receives the one thing he never dared hope for. Something that was promised to him years earlier—a note. One simple sentence from the man he’s never been able to forget.
Six words will forever change the course of their lives.
Brantley Hayes has it all. Or so he thinks. When he first made the decision to take a job down in Florida, his family thought he was crazy. But, after years of living in the quiet beach town, he finally feels a sense of community. He’s surrounded himself with friends who are like family, has a job he loves, and owns a spectacular beachfront property that is his sanctuary.
Yet he still feels unfulfilled, as if a piece of the puzzle is missing, and he knows exactly which piece it is. On an impulse, he follows through with a promise he made years earlier. A promise to call home the one he sent away.
Nothing is as simple as it seems.
After years of separation, the former lovers are reunited, but Brantley wasn’t expecting to encounter the high walls now guarding Daniel’s heart.
Daniel may not be the same person he was when he left, but he knows that the first step to healing is the note in his hand.
Finley by Ella Frank
Copyright © 2016 Ella Frank
Excerpt
BRANTLEY KEPT A discreet eye on the final student to leave for the morning as Mr. Finley strode down the stairs to the front of the classroom. They were three weeks into the semester and he was ashamed to admit that, with every day that passed, his fascination with the young man grew.
At first, he’d tried to convince himself that it was purely academic. The kid was smart. He’d aced all the weekly quizzes, and Brantley was more than aware of the way he watched him lecture with keen, intelligent eyes that never strayed from him.
Oh, he was fascinated, all right, but he made sure to tell himself at the end of every class that it had nothing to do with the mischievous grin Daniel would flash at his friends or the easygoing laugh that would bubble up out of him at any given moment. But he knew he was lying. Daniel was quite possibly the happiest person he’d ever met, and his joy of life lit up the room and everyone in it. Including him.
When Daniel stopped in front of him and dropped his paper on the desk, Brantley acknowledged him with a glance before returning his gaze back to the notes he was going over.
“Any big plans this weekend, Professor?”
The question had been so unexpected that he didn’t think to catch himself before he replied, “Nothing too big. Just going out with some friends. You?”
Daniel smiled at him as he shoved his arms through the loops of his backpack, and Brantley couldn’t help but look at his shirt as it stretched across his broad chest.
“I’m going to hit the beach. Such great waves right now.”
“Ahh, you like to surf. That explains it.”
When the side of Daniel’s mouth crooked up, the effect was charming as hell. The kid was a knockout.
“Explains what?”
Annoyed that he’d made such a stupid slipup, he looked back at the papers in front of him, hoping Daniel would get the message and leave. No such luck.
“Explains what?” he asked again.
Brantley sighed and rested his arms on the desk as he studied Daniel’s inviting face. “It explains your hair.”
“My—oh,” he said, touching the ends of it. “Do you like it?”
Stunned by the direct question, he sat back in his chair and fought the smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Do I like your hair?”
“Yeah.”
“Does it matter?” Jesus, fuck. Stop it. Stop flirting with him.
But it was too late. Daniel put his hands on the desk and leaned forward, Brantley toed the ground, shoving his chair back.
“It could…”
“No. No, it couldn’t,” he said as he got to his feet, shaking his head.
Daniel straightened and tucked his thumbs into the straps of his backpack, no doubt to taunt him. His eyes were too knowing for someone his age, and when they held his longer than was acceptable, Brantley’s heart skipped a couple of beats.
“Was there something else, Mr. Finley?”
“You said you were going out with friends this weekend…”
Shit, did I? “Yes, that’s right.”
As Daniel ran his thumb down the left strap of his bag, he admonished himself for noticing every little move he made. He needed to get a fucking hold of himself.
“Are any of them more than a friend?”
If he hadn’t been watching Daniel quite so closely, he wouldn’t have believed the words that had just come out of his mouth. But he had been. So he did.
“I don’t believe that’s any of your business. You better hurry or you’ll miss your next class.”
Satisfied that he’d firmly dismissed Daniel, he sat down and made a show of focusing on the books lining his desk and didn’t dare look and see if he had left this time or not. He wasn’t sure what he’d do if he was still standing there.
He reached up to adjust his tie, which suddenly felt a little too tight around his neck, and with each passing second that he was consciously not checking to see if he was alone, he swore that it was getting tighter.
“Professor Hayes?”
His head snapped up at his name, and when Daniel had his attention, he continued.
“Are you gay?”
Brantley’s eyes widened, and he wondered how his mouth hadn’t fallen open at the blunt question. Instead, he went with, “Excuse me?”
“I asked if you were—”
“I heard what you said. But I don’t see how that is any business of yours, either. You should think before you speak, Mr. Finley. I’m your teacher, and it’s time for you to leave. This conversation is over.” He flipped open one of the books on his desk and shook his head. He couldn’t believe the audacity of the kid—or the fact that he was so damn forthright. As he sat there, grinding his teeth in an effort not to look at his student—who was still standing in front of his desk—a bead of sweat ran down his collar and he cursed the fact that his nerves were getting the better of him.
“I only asked because, well, I am too. And I thought it would be nice to have someone to talk to.”
Well, hell. He couldn’t fault him for that. The only problem was…talking wasn’t what sprang to mind when he was around Daniel Finley.
He clasped his hands on the desk and stared into the anxious face peering down at him. Daniel was worrying his lower lip with his teeth, and he suddenly looked very much the young man he was.
“Are you?” he asked again, and there was no way he could deny that hesitant curiosity.
“Yes, Daniel. I am.”
As his words drifted between them, Daniel’s mouth slipped into a smile. “Oh.”
Brantley laughed at that. He wasn’t sure what Daniel was thinking right then. He’d thought for sure with the way he’d been looking at him earlier that, if he’d admitted this, he would be fending off—or at least putting up a good show of fending off—an unwanted pass. But, instead, Daniel appeared thoughtful.
“Does that bother you?”
Daniel adamantly shook his head. “No.”
“Are you sure?” he pressed, and the look that entered Daniel’s eyes then was so hot that he thought he may overheat.
“Yes. I'm very sure.”
Oh, fuck. Okay. Where the hell did the nervous guy disappear to? One minute, Daniel was endearingly awkward, and the next, he was looking at him like he wanted to strip him out of his clothes and—“Stop right there,” he said, and he wasn’t sure if he was telling himself that or the contradiction eyeing him with newfound knowledge. “Whatever you're thinking, stop thinking it.”
“Why?”
Yep, he was fucked. That wasn’t a word he generally used, but in this case, he was well and truly fucked. He should’ve just stuck to the run-along-now speech.
“Because I'm your teacher.”
“This isn’t high school. I’m an adult.”
He sighed. “That may be true. But I’m your professor and this conversation is inappropriate.”
“How? I just asked if you were gay and you said yes. I don't see what the problem is.”
When Daniel aimed a mischievous grin at him, Brantley knew he was very aware of what the problem was.
“Out,” he said, pointing to the door. “Time to leave, Mr. Finley.”
This time, he made sure to watch Daniel so he knew he was actually leaving. He walked to the door, but at the last minute, he turned around to look back at him. Not willing to back down and show weakness, Brantley kept his eyes on his student as Daniel ran his tongue along his lower lip.
“You should call me Finn. Everyone else does.”
Christ. The kid was going to drive him to an early grave, but damn if he didn’t laugh at his audacity.
“Out,” he said again, and this time Daniel pushed out the door and disappeared into the hall.
About the Author
Connect with Ella Frank
Giveaway!
Post a Comment
Comments are bloggy food.
Feed our blog...