Everything to lose.Tyler’s worked hard to kick the dust of the Chicago suburbs off his heels and move on with his life as Hollywood’s newest up-and-comer, burying his demons and hiding his scars from the world. Just as everything seems to be going his way, a scandal from his past threatens everything he’s worked for. Now he’s stuck back home, where his family of lawyers can maybe help sink the … maybe help sink the scandal and find out who’s behind it.
Afraid to love.
Josh doesn’t know what to think when his ex’s little brother falls into his arms, other than that Tyler is trouble with a capital T. But when Tyler’s publicist suggests that an adoring fake boyfriend might be just the ticket to saving Tyler’s acting career, Josh doesn’t mind playing along. It’s not like he has anything else going on, and faking a relationship with someone you’ve known your entire life can’t possibly be that difficult.
A second chance for two damaged hearts.
Now they’re stuck together for the foreseeable future, and neither can deny their mounting attraction. Why should they? They’re supposed to be in love, at least out in public. But in private, when no one is watching, Tyler and Josh grow closer in a way that has nothing to do with their agreed upon arrangement. What do they do when make-believe becomes real, and how can two men with such different lives have a shared future?
Damage Control is a steamy, stand-alone gay romance with no cliffhanger and a HEA.
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I should be working on my own novels, but I was so blown away by Damage Control by Lynn Van Dorn that I decided to come here and write a recommendation instead!
The characters in this novel have so much voice and depth. Just when you think you understand them, another layer is peeled away to reveal something new. I fell in love with Tyler from page one, in the prologue where he’s an impulsive teen determined to seduce his older brother’s best friend (and secret ex-boyfriend), but his darn family keeps getting in his way and Josh seems completely oblivious to him. Tyler is no less charming when he appears on the page years later, an emerging movie star who’s had an old scandal blow up in his face and is suddenly in need of a “boyfriend.” Yep, it’s a fake boyfriend trope, and will hence forth be my favorite, because it definitely goes so far beyond that cute little story trope.
You learn in bits and pieces some of the things that have happened to Tyler since he was that young, idealistic teen, and your heart breaks a little. I should mention that this book may have triggers for some people. There are mentions of conversion therapy, past sexual assault, and suicide attempts (off-page for the most part). But Tyler is so tough. He fights his battles with a sharp tongue and an iron will, and I admire him for that. He doesn’t need a prince to rescue him, he insists, but when Josh calls him Princess, he doesn’t fight it too hard. Maybe a small part of him does want someone to count on.
Josh has carried a torch for Ryan, Tyler’s older brother for most of his life. He was Ryan’s big secret. He stood by while Ryan dated girls and pretended that he didn’t have a sexual relationship with Josh. When he took a stand and demanded that Ryan choose him, Ryan let him go as if he meant nothing. Josh is terribly sweet and loving, and while you might wonder how Ryan ever held onto his heart so long, you’ll find that he’s a good fit for Tyler. All of the side characters in the story are well fleshed out, and Tyler’s other brother puts it best when he says that Tyler needs an adult boyfriend who won’t screw him over, and Josh needs someone he can pour his love into.
There are obstacles to their relationship. Beyond the weirdness of dating after Josh and Ryan’s yearslong affair, there’s the reality that Tyler lives in California and has a career there, while Josh is happy in Illinois. But when they do figure it all out, it’s so satisfying. I loved that every character — from Tyler and Josh — to siblings and friends were extremely well developed. The story line was interesting and complex, and there was both humor and sadness, so that my emotions got a full work out. I was impressed, and will definitely be reading more by Lynn Van Dorn!
Tyler is a whirlwind of drama, hurt, fear, and so many other complicated and vexing feelings. He’s a damaged young man who hasn’t healed from his childhood. Josh has his own wounds and damage to deal with himself, but being with Tyler is exactly what he needs – what both of them needs – in order to heal. The book is very long, but in my opinion, it’s worth it. The trigger warnings are also extremely valid. This is not a book for everyone, but for those who enjoy a complicated story with ups and downs, angst and fluff, and everything in between, this is the book for you.
Narration: I also listened to this novel as an audiobook, and oh my! Michael was a fantastic narrator who was absolutely wonderful performing this story. I felt the emotions as he performed. I highly recommend the audiobook version of this novel as well as the eBook.
Overall Rating: 5 Stars. Lynn Van Dorn is a fantastic writer. This story took me by surprise, but it was such a good surprise. I was immediately invested in the characters, even the secondary ones, and loved all the details about Tyler and Josh’s lives and how there relationship developed and grew. I really loved this book.
5 stars
Heat Level: 4
Narration: 5
Beyond incredible!
I have been broke and weaved back together with Josh and Tyler in my heart. Healing, powerful, devastation and so unapologetically real, you will break, you will hurt but you will grow and heal too, slowly, organically and powerfully. I’m lost for more words to describe this uniquely powerful, cathartic, truthful story. Darkness can engulf a soul but all you need is a tiny light to follow your way out. Josh was Tyler’s tiny light. They made progress towards healing together, and while life is never perfect it’s more enjoyable with someone who believes in you. Thank you Lynn for such an incredible story, I’m floored!
OMFG as I read/listened through this, I hated Ryan! He’s such a tool! He seemed so vindictive, cruel, a bully and how can someone be so clueless to how they treat others and their feelings! How can someone be so evil! Okay rant over! Thankfully Lynn managed to turn my mind around in the last chapter or so. I’m still on the fence but am so thankful Ryan finally realized how he treated Josh and apologized – long over due. I’d be interested to see Ryan grow and realize his mistakes in his own story…
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Tyler & Josh
An Epic Romance and Family Drama!
Title: Damage Control
Series: North Shore Stories #1
Author: Lynn Van Dorn
Narrator: Michael Ferraiuolo
Publisher: Lynn Van Dorn
Format: Audiobook
Release Date: 9/30/2019
Genre/ Trope(s): Gay Romance; Contemporary; Fake Boyfriend; Family Drama; Friends to Lovers
Listening Length: 18hrs 58min
SteaMMy Swordplay: 4 out of 5
Sharonica-Stars: 5+ out of 5
GoodReads AVG: 4.30
MMy Thoughts and Review:
I typically run from edgy, angsty, dramatic tales. This is simply due to the fact that I am old, have lived my own drama and don’t want to read about the same types of drama in my books…or movies…or TV series. I want the rest of my days filled with sMMexy men loving other sMMexy men, unicorns, rainbows, butterflies, and other fluffy things.
Something about Damage Control drew me in, however. I knew I could trust Van Dorn to take me on a crazy wild journey, but I was still apprehensive because of the trigger warnings hitting too close to home and again, I have lived my own drama.
What sets this book apart and above most in its genre is the character authenticity and transparency. Our MC, Tyler for example is seen by his family as spoiled, crass, attention seeking at the best of times, and attention seeking to the detriment of his health at the worst. However, these same family members protect, work for and with Tyler always striving to show they care. These characteristics are things many of us see in our own family dynamics. We might not like each other, and sometimes the dislike may even mimic hate. But, at our base level, there is always a piece no matter how small that still loves our family.
Underneath all the family push and pull are secrets. Secrets that are years in the making and within the Chadwick family these secrets effect everyone to some degree, but no one is more effected by all these secrets than Tyler.
After a chance meeting, turned into an almost drowning, Tyler and his long time crush who FYI used to secretly date his brother, Josh gets roped into pretending to be Tyler’s doting boyfriend. Now, do not think for a second this is a typical “fake boyfriend” trope. Do that, and you will be sorely disappointed. It is just one of the MANY themes that are present in this spectacular story.
Now that Tyler has his fake BF, Josh to help combat the sex tape scandal (forgot to mention that, sorry) everything should be hunky dory. Alas, this is an epic family drama not some pretentious novella, so there is more…so much more. There are angry and homophobic parents who rage, then shame, then guilt, then rage some more. There are siblings who believe they know best and meddle any chance they get. Best friends who call or text at three a.m. just to make sure you are okay and haven’t put anyone in a strangle hold, or jumped off the dock with rocks in your pockets.
If that weren’t enough, there’s paparazzi everywhere snapping photos, yelling absurd questions just to get a rise, and tabloids writing stories so far from the truth it sounds more appealing to believe it than what’s actually happening. Nasty internet memes made from the sex tape, more homophobic slurs spread across the world wide web and the side of Tyler’s house. Prank calls at two a.m. and a neurotic fake boyfriend who has cleaning frenzies when he is stressed. And a crazy ex who may still be stalking Tyler and upping the ante to things like slashed tires, and screaming at Josh that, “Tyler belongs to him!” Cray-cray… Right?!?!
Amidst all the crazy two broken and battered souls mesh together and find peace and comfort in each other. Josh and Tyler have the perfect blend of calm and frantic, messy and spotless that somehow brings balance to their chaotic world. Even when doubts rise, they push through, they don’t run or show cowardice regarding who they are to each other in their moments together. They stick together and friendship turns to something more. Much more.
If you haven’t been able to tell let me say plainly, I absolutely loved this audiobook! In my opinion an audio book wins or loses its audience solely based on the narration. If a narrator lacks spirit, and inflection it will show.
Michael Ferraiuolo was superb in his role as narrator. Each character had a voice unique to their personality (I loved Josh’s mom’s accent!). Even each thought was in the character’s voice and not the narrator’s actual voice. Bravo, Sir! Bravo!
Even though I am one of those who needs to be mindful of triggers. (I am not ashamed to say, I am a survivor!) This book spoke to me on so many levels. So, be mindful of the triggers, and if you feel brave this is a journey you won’t regret!
Possible triggers: mentions underage rape, torture, branding (conversion therapy); suicide attempt; cutting
5+ jumping-off-the-cliff-together-stars +
I received a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
KU. I’m kind of surprised ~ but I loved this book. The timeline was short and the drama was OTT, but somehow it all came together for me beautifully.
In theory I shouldn’t have liked either of the MCs, but I did. I appreciated their acknowledgment of their shortcomings. I felt myself rooting for them both as individuals and as a couple. Josh & Tyler were perfect in their imperfection. It’s cliché, but clichés are there for a reason.
Ryan is a delusional asshole, but I find myself looking forward to his story as well.
This is a steak of a book, thick, juicy, angsty and alive. This and its follow-up, Daddy Issues, are both exceptional and raw.