At only thirty-two, Bishop Stockley has lived a hard-knock life. His gang was his family, the streets his home. Until the crew he’d always called his brothers betrayed him. After doing five years in a federal prison, Bishop is back at his dad’s trailer and working for his landscaping company, thrust into a legit world where he’s no longer the alpha—a world where a criminal record is the least of … of his disadvantages, because Bishop can’t read or write. Illiteracy had never been an obstacle for him on the streets, he didn’t need to know how to read Moby Dick to survive, he needed to know how to read people… and that was a hustle he’d learned hard and fast. Now, he had to change his life.
Bishop’s only support system was a young, inexperienced dad who’d insisted he call him Mike all their life—since they looked more like brothers than father and son. And his hot-tempered, childhood, best friend from ’juvie, Trent. Bishop already had the deck stacked against him, but he wasn’t afraid of hard work to change his situation, and he did want to change. Especially after he encountered Edison Scala, a kind-spirited office manager who didn’t hesitate to come to his defense… a man that saw past Bishop’s grass-stained coveralls. A man who wasn’t intimidated by his stern features and his silence.
Edison hadn’t grown up the way most of his peers had. He’d been raised by a single father who’d owned an old-fashioned barber shop where Edison was taught how to not only shave with a straight razor, and shine shoes, but also how to treat others, to not judge, to be a gentleman, to be respectful and speak without profanity. But, the biggest lesson he’d learned, was to always be himself. His lack of friends and a social life wasn’t his fault. No matter how much weight he gained, no matter how many times his staff called him a square, Edison did not need to change.
Bishop knew Edison was off-limits. He’d made personal vows to himself when he was released from prison, ones that he never intended to break. But, when Edison asked him about providing landscaping services at his home, there was no way he could refuse. He hadn’t expected Edison to feed him, praise him, encourage him, and look at him the way he did—as if Bishop was somebody. Mike and Trent warned him not to mix business with pleasure and he didn’t intend to.
No multiple pairings. No cliffhangers. Ends with a very, very HFN.
Warning:
This book is a M/M contemporary romance, a hardened man’s struggle to find real love. There are no police chases or doors being kicked in, in this one. But, don’t worry. Bishop is still intense enough to keep you on the edge.
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It started right away with all the feelings, it touched me and I fell immediately in love.
Edison likes to take good care of himself, a few joys he has in life. He is lonely, with no real friends or a lover. It’s him and his kitchen, because besides being the boss at work, in private he loves to cook and enjoy the results. He is the nicest guy, has excellent taste, he’s kind, no harm towards others, polite and sadly people find a way to hurt him.
Bishop has a complicated relationship with his father. He has to call him Mike like a friend.
After a rough life on the streets, with gangs and now free after five years behind bars, he can work for his father’s landscaping company. The best part of the job is designing, he is good at it. When he got the opportunity to work at Edison’s home he didn’t think twice, he is smitten by the man. He couldn’t guess how Edison is the softest and kind balsam for his heart. Only, he has a past and a significant secret.
We get to meet Bishop’s best friend Trent and his father Mike. They are of great importance in this story. They are fun and wonderful. Edison is a lonely guy, luckily he got two lovely third-degree family members and sadly also some annoying colleagues.
We learn about Bishops and Edison’s life, past and present and what a life they have!
The way the story is developed is quite special, attention to specific things, like the interior of a nice warm home, the emotional facial expressions, little gestures, delicate emotions at just the right moments, using scent and timbre, which made this all into a precious read. I was thrilled both men weren’t flawless, it made them so real and approachable, all this was beautifully woven through this story.
The writing style was one with passion for humanity, all captivatingly written, it had the most comfortable pace. I loved this story immensely! The title of this book says A True Love Story and omg it was the best, my heart exploded at times such deep moving love there was. The development of the relationship from Bishop and Edison was in one word excellent! Bishop and Edison were so overwhelming special together, my heart yearned, I loved them so hard.
Highly recommended!
Bishop & Edison’s story was one I never knew I needed!!
Bishop Stockley grew up rough. Being raised by a father who was still a kid when he was born, he fell in with the wrong crowd and ended up paying for it. After being released from federal prison after five years Bishop is set on making his life one worth living. Staying with his Dad, working at his landscaping company and being thrown into a legit lifestyle is not the only things hard on Bishop. Living the life, he lived he never learned how to read or write but Bishop is no quitter. He might not have many people by his side but the ones he does are there to support him. Enter Edison Scala, the man he never saw coming.
Edison Scala was raised by a single father, one who was not only his best friend but taught him values that he still holds on to. He worked with his Dad in his barber shop, learned to shave with a straight razor, shine shoes but most importantly to treat people with respect. It didn’t matter where you came from or what your past was as long as you were working to be a better person and treated people with kindness. Edison might not be the fittest guy around, but he takes pride in his appearance even with harsh words and criticism from his peers he tries to be the person his father would have expected him to be. One chance meeting after work could lead the one thing Edison never expected he would find, love.
When Bishop decides to take a job renovating Edison’s backyard into the dreamscape, he has always wanted Bishop learns that Edison is so much more than he appears to be. Not only is he an outstanding cook, but he also treats Bishop like a normal person and while their time together has been short Bishop starts to realize that he can’t imagine his life without Edison. Dinners turn into nights spent reading on the sofa cuddled up together, but Bishop still has so much he needs to tell Edison but what if the one person who finally accepts fully who he is won’t be able to accept this one final secret?
Edison starts to live a life he never thought he would have. He has a man that treats him like his the most important person in the world while making him feel like his beautiful. Being a 26-year-old virgin Edison always thought of it as not having the opportunity until Bishop shows him that he is very much desired but that their attraction to one another is so much more than physical. As a pesky co-worker starts to bud into his and Bishop’s relationship Edison is desperately clinging on to the one man that has changed everything for him.
“For the first time in his life he understood what being in a relationship meant, and what it felt like to find someone who reached every part of him. Edison had made love to this mind by reading his books to him, and his body had rocked his world, giving him an orgasm that still had fire simmering in his veins…and yet…they hadn’t had sex yet.”
Edison and Bishop’s relationship starts out so beautifully and grows into one of the greatest love stories I have ever read. Yes, really!! Their story isn’t “instalove”, but it does grow quite quickly in a way that makes you ache to love them so much more than you already do. Honestly, I didn’t want this book to end because it is one of those once in a lifetime books. As readers we always have the hope that each story touches us in some way but Bishop touched me in such a tender way that I won’t be forgetting this book anytime soon.
PSA – Yes, I read reviews for this book that said it was just OK or that this bothered them or that and that is OK. These are my feelings about a story that felt so real and raw to me. Neither one of these men were reach, they both suffered tragedies however different, but they were able to come out the other side stronger together because of it. I don’t expect everyone to love it and that is OK, but I did, I loved it so much more than I can ever express.
Honestly, this was not what I expected at all. It was way less angst than I was figuring on. It was perfect for both Bishop and Edison, as they deserved the best. I was happy to read about an MC who was not a perfect 10, and struggled to be where he was. It was nice how much Bishop loved Edison and loved the way he looked. I adored all the food talk and cooking, as I am a foodie! I really like how Bishop lived for himself and made sure to keep pushing forward and I enjoyed how Mike and his relationship just got better and better. I thought the storyline in this was good and it made me want to read Trent & Wood’s story sooo much. I cannot wait to dive in. Tor Thom is a great narrator and this was no different for this book. If a great redemption story is your jam, definitely pick this up.
What a truly wonderful book! REALLY! I shed tears of sadness, cried with laughter, and wanted to hug the daylights out of the author for writing such a beautiful story. The audiobook narrated by Tor Thom, who has the deepest richest male voice I have EVER heard, lent his considerable talent to this INCREDIBLE book. A. E. Via gives us Bishop Stockley, an illiterate but talented landscape designer, and Edison Scala, an executive officer who has battled with his weight and with loneliness for most of his life. I pulled and cheered for this couple so much as both are such very beautiful men. And on the surface, both were men I wouldn’t like at all! I am amazed at the writer’s ability to make me love her characters so much!
Awesome Story & Narration Riveting & Heartfelt!
Bishop
A True Lover’s Story
By: A. E. Via
Narrated by: Tor Thom
I have heard so many great things about this book and was happy to find that it was available on Hoopla (Thank you, thank you, thank you). I am happy to say the great things I heard is not just hype, the book is awesome. I am ashamed to say it is my first A.E. Via book, not sure why but it will certainly not be my last. I enjoyed her writing style, she swept me right into her story, a story that captivated my attention from start to end. Her storylines and characters are realistic and easy to relate to and connect with. I adored the lead characters, two people from two completely different upbringing and each one had their own flaws and hangups. Bishop Stockley just finished a 5 year jail sentence, he got a clean break from his old life and the gang he was a member of. Making an honest living working with his Dad in his landscaping business. He is facing one big obstacle, his inability to read or write. His father Mike, feels like he failed him as a father and is trying to make it up to him now and is there to help him face his challenges. He had his good friend Trent by his side too. Edison Scala never really fit in, raised by an attentive single Dad who owned his own Barber shop and kept his son by his side teaching him the business. But that was not what Edison wanted, he is working as an office manager, is efficient at what he does but he some take advantage of his kindness. I could not stand Skylar, he was full of himself and not a very nice person. When Edison hires Stockley’s landscaping company to re-do the gardens around the building he notices Bishop right away. OMG, those two, the chemistry between them was undeniable, yet both were reluctant to give in to it, some many insecurities and self doubts. I wanted to scream at these two, couldn’t they see how great they would together and for each other. I loved how everything plays out in this book, it is beautifully plotted with plenty of drama, angst, heartfelt and emotional moments and a wonderful slow burn romance. A.E. Via does an amazing job handling the topic of illiteracy, it is a sensitive subject for anyone who struggles with it, regardless of the circumstances. Help is available and it takes a big person to find it and take that first step A.E. Via, thank you for this awesome book, I am looking forward to checking out more of your work.
I listened to the audiobook edition, Tor Thom is a talented narrator and versatile artist. He does an awesome job portraying the characters, bringing them to life, giving each their own voice and personality. You could hear how much heart he puts into his work as he captures the characters emotions and projects them into his performance. He makes each character his own, completely grasping their personas and sounding as I picture them to sound. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another awesome listen
Bishop is fresh out of jail and trying hard to change his life. Raised by his young father, Bishop’s only family was a gang, he knew the streets well. Edison was raised by his father as well, but was taught true life lessons. Ones that every man should be taught. Opposites attract and when Bishop landscapes for Edison, interests are peaked. Bishop thinks Edison is off limits and he is trying to live by the rules he set for himself when he left jail. We all know that never works, and these two are drawn together. I had to keep listening, I could not stop. There was so much hope in my heart for these two, I had to know the outcome. This was slow burn, but the depth of characters that was built was well worth it. each time a little more was revealed, I was hooked again.
Tor Thom is the perfect narrator for this story. His deep voice will make anyone swoon. Tor really brought these two to life. Tor Thom is able to keep all the characters distinct and easy to follow, I found myself lost in his narration and it was as if I were within the pages of the book. Tor Thom’s narration added to the experience of this story. This is a must listen!
5 stars
Heat Level: 3.5
Narration: 5
All the feels! This whole story is full of love, care, and heart. I loved it!!
I felt this was different from other books of Adrienne’s that I’ve read. This one was sweet, honest and with all the feels you could want. There are funny moments, sad moments and steamy moments. I felt this was more a “true love story” with an everyday executive matched with a hot buff landscaper (who happens to be an ex-con). I’d say this is more of a slower burn with the sexy times but is so full of emotions that I just wanted to hug my Kindle!
I loved Adrienne’s approach to Bishop’s illiteracy and while sad and challenging at times, I loved that he will never give up. He wants to be better and continues to strive to better himself; not just for Edison but for himself too.
Now, Edison is such a sweet heart. Totally good to the core and has such a big heart people take advantage of him and think he’s a pushover. I loved how he evolved over the story and became more confident. He was always strong but I loved seeing him come into himself!
I loved Bishop! He’s strong, confident, a little gruff and so sweet and caring. The way he is with Edison just about melted my heart! I loved the give and take between Bishop and Edison, they were well matched and complimented each other perfectly!
Also, Bishop’s relationship with his father, Mike, is hilarious and I think Mike was a fantastic character. Always there to help Bishop and his mannerisms and personality with just make you laugh! The way Bishop and Mike rib each other is great. A very unique relationship indeed!
All in all, I really enjoyed this story and I can’t wait for more of Bishop & Eddie and am really looking forward to what the future holds for the curious and confused Trent!
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit http://blog.bookstattoosandtea.com !
Bishop
A True Lover’s Story
By: A. E. Via
Narrated by: Tor Thom
Bishop has had it tough and now out of jail, he is ready to start his life. Landscaping is his thing, he is an artist of sorts. When Edison approaches him to do some work at his home, Bishop is immediately attracted to him. But with his past, his secrets and his blue collar life style, he thinks Edison is off limits. Edison is the one though that can see through the gruffness. But can it be more than just a fling? And if not, Bishop won’t let it happen. This is my first A. E. Via book, and boy can she write! This slow burn story had me listening, just so I could see what would happen next. It’s not overly angsty or steamy, but it has a real truth to it. One that keeps you listening. It invests your heart, and your soul. It keeps you cheering for the underdog and wanting to beat down the bully. It’s a true love story that will pass the tests and find your heart.
This type of story needs a narrator with many talents. First, being MM, it needs an alpha voice. Tor Thom brings it. His deep baritone is perfect as Bishop. And he immediately shifts to Edison, the more passive of the two. Next, this book is very emotional, and Thom enhances every aspect of the story with his ability to give the inflections and feelings in his voice to let us feel both sides of this couple. And lastly, it needs heat and passion, and there is none better for this task. Thom is an outstanding storyteller and truly brings the best out in this narration.
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