Nothing but a #blur… connections has sped his racecar into the newest, hottest division.
But that’s not all.
Arrow may be following in big bro’s tread marks, but he doesn’t plan to stay there.
He’s swerving onto the road less traveled…
and a lot more controversial.
He’s opening up about his private struggles with sexuality to tell a story that’s gone unheard until now.
One thing’s for sure; Arrow may have a painful past, but his foot is heavy on the accelerator.
With speed like this, he’s bound to leave everything behind in nothing but a #blur.
more
**********Contains Spoilers**********
I’ve lost count with how many times that I’ve read this book as it’s one of my go to reads from the GearShark Series, I’ve just never gotten around to posting a review so here goes. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Wow, I knew this was going to be an emotional read but the before section for both Arrow and Hopper was heartbreaking and I had tears running down my face as I read it but we needed to see the raw details of what happened to each of them to make them finding and loving each other in spite of their hardships that much more beautiful. I loved that Arrow finally stepped out of Lor’s shadow, where he needed to be and he felt safest for the last few years as he became his own man. I loved the heart to heart between Arrow and Lor when Arrow told him that he needs to be his own man and sign with NASCAR, that Lor literally saved his life and offered his love and protection when he needed it the most and that he was more of a dad to him than their own a*sehole father. Lor even shed a few tears it was such a lovely moment between the brothers. Arrow and Hopper’s chemistry is off the charts and there’s so many feels within this book. I loved how Arrow finally dealt with his a*sehole of a father. Man, you could feel the terror from Hopper when Arrow crashed and wouldn’t answer him. Hopper didn’t even think about the consequences he just stole one of the pit crews motorbike and raced out to make sure that Arrow’s safe considering he hadn’t been on a bike since his partner Matt was sabotaged while racing for Hopper since Hopper had a concussion from their bike trailer door hitting him in the face so Matt decided he’d race in Hopper’s place since Hopper’s moto international place was at stake, Matt lost his life that day all because one of Hopper’s rivals couldn’t handle that he lost so even though he issued the challenge he was planning to cheat to win anyways. Lor wasn’t too far behind and it was the moment that Lor welcomed Hopper to the family. I’m really looking forward to reading more about Arrow and Hopper as well as Drew and Trent and Lorhaven and Joey. I’d definitely recommend this book, series, universe and author to everyone.
‘#Nerd’, the first book of the ‘Hashtag’ series, was the first Cambria Herbert book I read and really enjoyed the whole series. As for the ‘Gear Shark’ series, #Junkie, which is the first book of the series, was my first M/M book. I wasn’t sure what to expect but because I was familiar with Drew and Trent, who are our heroes for the first two books, from ‘Hashtag’ series, I wanted to read it and I really enjoyed it. Third book of the ‘Gear Shark’ series is ‘#Swag’ and so far it is the only M/F book in the series. We have the first glimpses of Arrow and Hopper in ‘#Swag’ because of their connection to the hero and heroine.
Our broken heroes in #Blur are Arrow and Hopper. Just a little caution before going in details, I started crying in the first chapter. The beginning of the book is heartbreaking, and really sad. The story starts from the past and shows us how Arrow and Hopper become the broken souls they are today. Dylan Lorhaven, who we know as Arrow Ambrose, knew he was gay when he was in high school. His mom finds out he is gay while going through his stuff but she is really accepting. However, she warns Arrow regarding telling to his father because he is a narrow-minded a..hole. Unfortunately, he disregards this warning and comes out to his dad and shortly realizes that it is the worst decision he had. That a..hole acts like being gay is some kind of disease and keep pushing Arrow to date girls and threatening him to take away his trust fund, car, college tuition and everything he owns. On his eighteenth birthday his father, the douchebag, disowns Arrow and kicks him out. He doesn’t have anywhere to go other than his brother and on his way to Jace everything changes for Arrow forever. He gets beaten and assaulted, which shatters him into million pieces. OMG! It broke my heart into million pieces too. I was crying because the way Cambria Herbert wrote about it made it feel so real. And then it jumps to Hopper and his painful past. Jayson Hamilton, who we know as Hopper, is a Motocross star. After his last win, he becomes eligible to race internationally. However, his biggest rival cannot accept the failure and challenges Hopper on a street race. Hopper accepts the challenge but right before the race there was an accident and Hooper was unable to race. Instead of Hooper his boyfriend Matt races but there was an accident in which Matt ends up dying.
Because of the traumatic events they faced in their past, now we have two broken men. Arrow is shy, passionate, loving, but he still cannot trust anyone. Even though, he is close with Drew, Trent, and his brother’s girlfriend Joey, he is still lonely and hides behind his brother. But now he has a chance to change and take control of his life. He has two offers, he can either race in NASCAR or NRR but he cannot decide, which offer is best for him. This is where Hopper comes in to play Hopper is fighting with insomnia and survival’s guilt since the accident. He is vulnerable, lost and lonely. But everything changes when Ron Gamble sends him to Arrow with contracts.
Their chemistry is off the charts but the most impressive thing between them is the way they see through each other’s pain and broken parts. Witnessing the way they slowly heal each other was heartbreaking and sweet. But will this be enough for them to get over their pasts and move on? Will they get their HEA? That is for you to find out. If you read and enjoyed any of the books from ‘Hashtag’ or ‘Gear Shark’ series, you will definitely enjoy #Blur.
Would I recommend this book: Yes
Would I re-read this book: Yes
Would I read future books by this author: Yes
I have really enjoyed the entire series!! Great reads, quick and unique to each relationship and situation. Frequently, I see a writing trend in an author and every relationship follows it somehow — but that is NOT the case!! The author did an amazing job applying every character and their personalities to the relationship(s).
I listened in the Audible unlimited package 🙂
This was an amazing and happy surprise!
I thought no couple could steal the spotlight from Drew and Trent but I was so happily surprised. I wouldn’t say Arrow and Hopper’s story is better or has them racing ahead but they share the top spot in my heart. Their story was just too different to be compared. This book managed to steal my breath from me and have me in huge tears when I was only at 20% of the book! The beginning tells a bit of both Arrow and Hopper’s very painful and tragic pasts. It made me sit up a little taller and realize that this relationship would exist on a higher level. Their first interaction with each other was powerful and the definition of passionate. There was an instalove feel to this and though I don’t always like that in a story, here it just felt right. I was then prepared to inhale the rest of this incredible story. They were both broken into a million jagged pieces when they met that you wouldn’t think it could ever work. But the journey the author takes us on could be described as taking their jagged pieces and realizing they fit perfectly together and that fate guided them each through each of their own personal hells directly into each other. I already loved Arrow so much just from glimpses of him in previous books and I desperately wanted him to have the perfect HEA. Hopper didn’t take any time to climb in my heart as well. My heart ached so much for them, so by the end of the book I had a huge smile on my face and happy tears flowing down my cheeks. I’m really looking forward to reading more of their story in the next book, Finish Line.
This book gets all of the stars. This pulled so much emotion and depth in both characters that it leaves you breathless. Both Arrow and Hopper are so haunted by their past, that they needed each other to pull them and keep them in the present with each other. A beautiful, long story that could have continued forever. Favorite in the series so far!
This book is # 4, in the Gearshark series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader understanding, and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading this amazing series in order.
Dylan AKA Arrow has had nothing but heartache until recently. Now he has to make a decision about his future. He does not want to bring in more pain to those he loves, so he has put off stating his own wants.
Jason AKA Hopper is attracted to Arrow. Everytime they are in the same room, it hums with electricity. Before they get burned, can they choose to make a future?
This was a bittersweet story. So much pain. So many things broken. Well written, and full of sparks flying. I loved the honesty of the characters and how they sync so well. This is really a great addition to the Gearshark series.
How this author creates these people is just crazy. I keep falling/obsessing over all of her characters. Arrow and Hopper are no different just more broken. This is the 4th book in the gearShark series and these two have been a staple in the series. If you read any of the other books you know that Arrow is broken we know that something horrific happened to him that made him so much older than he is, in the book, we visit the past with him and it’s horrible and heartbreaking and will bring tears to your eyes. I wasn’t expected to learn how Hopper became working for Ron Gamble but here I am wondering how these two are still standing. I don’t think this was love at first sight, lust and interest yes, more learning each other’s soul and there was nothing left but to realize they belonged to one another. This is still a racing book but more than that a connecting of two damaged people to make one whole couple. This is a lot heavier than her other M/M book and to me more impactful. Just so much love for these two
My love of Cambria Hebert is not new information for you, so it is of no surprise that I had been looking forward to Arrow’s story since I first met him in #Junkie.
I was not prepared for the following:
-the emotions that would be evoked
-the anxiety I would feel while reading about Arrow’s and Hopper’s pasts
-my instant connection with Arrow as a character
-my wish that I had the same connection with Hopper
-my desire for a new tattoo
Cambria Hebert has the distinct skill of continually writing characters that I adore. She didn’t fail this time, per se, but it took me longer to accept Hopper. He was an enigma; it felt like he was slow to grow on me. Looking back, I still don’t see Arrow and Hopper as a complete unit. They don’t fit together the same way Trent and Drew do for me. And I suppose that’s not necessarily bad, just different than I was expected. Never the less, another great story from Cambria.
P.S. Isn’t this cover amazing? I feel like a teenage girl because I can’t even.
This book touches on some pretty big issues but it’s done really well. I love Arrow & Hopper
I am a long time fan of the Hashtag and Gearshark series because of the characters. I love every single one and I really want to be besties with them all. Family. They’re all about family. I was extremely happy that Arrow was going to get his own story, we really didn’t know that much about him. The beginning of the book made my heart hurt for both Arrow and Hopper.
I was a bucket full of sad.
Both of them separately had horrific things happen in their lives. But for them to come together and help heal each other was just so beautiful. I was rooting for them, hard.
“It was us in a nutshell. Broken beyond repair. Tethered together by understanding; kept apart by experience.”
Talk about a bucket full of feels!
I’m just going to say I totally hate Arrow’s father. He’s such a huge C U Next Tuesday! Hate himmmm. Bucket full of hate.
But anyhoo, this book was so fantastic, I loved ever single minute of it. I wanted to hug my tablet once I read The End. I love these two!
I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this review. I have been in love with Cambria’s Hashtag characters since day one and, as the series continued to grow and more characters were introduced, I continued to fall harder and harder. And then there was GearShark. As much as I enjoy the Hashtag series, the GearShark series has one thing that Hashtag does not. LGBT relationships. I’ve always been a fan of LGBTQ+ characters in books and it’s quite frankly hard to find stories that are just that. Stories. Most books with same sex characters are pure smut or are over in a flash. I have absolutely no issues with a lot of sex in books depicting homosexual characters, in fact, I love it. But I also love the build up, the heat, the building of a relationship (romantic and non) between the two characters. I want romance and passion and lust and everything that a real relationship is. I want the heart and the emotion as well as the heat and the sex.
These books have all of that as well as amazingly beautiful cast of characters. Arrow grabbed onto my heart the moment that he entered the series and wouldn’t let go. He was always on my mind while reading and I longed for the moments when his character would be front and center. I wanted to know more about him, learn what his life was about, why he was so wounded, and what his life as a young gay man was like. I wanted a tell-all book for Arrow as soon as I was introduced to him and that longing never went away.
I was extremely excited when, finally, Cambria broke the news that the next book in the GearShark series, number four, would be Arrow’s story. #Blur not only delves deeper into Arrow’s past but sheds some light on a newer character that wound his way in Arrow’s life and into the front seat of the series. I really enjoyed Hopper’s story and what he had to deal with in his past. I don’t know if I could ever get past the things he had to deal with, in my own life. He was a very strong character that worked perfectly with Arrow and fit well in all the places where Arrow was broken.
I think these two characters were perfect for one another and their story in nothing short of amazing. I have no idea if Cambria intends to write more books in the GearShark series, but I’m definitely not finished with Arrow and Hopper and I would love if, maybe someday, a lesbian couple got to be on the cover of GearShark. Who knows. It could happen someday.:)
Sometimes when I looked in the mirror, it wasn’t Arrow I saw at all, but the biy who just wanted to be accepted.
I have so many highlights in this book, probably the most of any book on my Kindle. I hadno clue how strongly I was going to be affected by this book, by Arrow and Hopper and everything they went through. The first third of this book had me tearing up at practically every page- and that pretty much continued through the whole book. Ok, maybe it was every other page the last 2/3s, but my goodness…this book, these characters, just broke my heart. If you’ve read the previous 3 books in the GearShark series you have kind of an idea of that Arrow has had a rough go of it in life, but seriously- you have no clue at the depth of his hurt and agony until you read #Blur.
#TrewLove will always be my favorites, but Arrow and Hopper have burrowed themselves into a special place in my heart. So much heartache and pain that they’ve both lived through, it was hard to read about at times. But my how perfect they were for each other, broken, jagged pieces and all.
What were the odds? The odds that two men so shattered would meet? The odds that all our broken pieces would somehow fit together to create something whole?