Jon has yearned for a man’s touch for as long as he can remember.Now two younger men are about to bring his fantasies to life.
Jon Walters is a mess.He’s thirty-eight. His roommates are eighteen and twenty. It’s never gonna work. But Lord, he wants it to.
He’s spent years hiding his sexuality. Denying his desires. Guys don’t come out at my age – do they? Except he did come out once – and went … age – do they? Except he did come out once – and went right back in again. How does he explain all this to Del, his brother? That’s a conversation Jon is dreading. Del is the only family Jon has left, and he’s going to be hurt. Angry. Not to mention, there are secrets Jon does not want to share.
And then there’s Chaz and Kendis. Wasn’t falling for one guy enough of a challenge? I had to fall for both of them? And what the hell do they see in me? Because they’re not making it easy for him to say no.
Whichever way he looks at it, Jon’s life just went way beyond It’s Complicated…
* first time
* age gap
* Out For You
* Menage
This is the final book in the Southern Boys trilogy, and it deals with characters introduced in book #2, Pride & Protection. Yes, you could read it as a standalone, but reading the previous book is recommended.
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While each of the books in K.C. Wells’ Southern Boys series has a different flavor, they’ve got several themes in common. Ms. Wells deals with bigotry and racism, coming out, family drama, and (of course) love and romance. Not sure if it goes without saying, so I’m just going to say it: K.C. Wells writes some of the all-time hottest erotica on the planet! And with the whole series performed in audio by the marvelous John Solo, you are in for a treat!
The first book Truth & Betrayal stands alone, but I recommend reading the three books in order as the characters from Pride & Protection and Desire & Denial overlap.
Okay, so I really liked Del in the second novel, but his younger brother Jon was a mystery. He seemed closed off and a bit of a grump. Turns out Jon’s story is quite moving, and we get all the details in Desire & Denial.
Jon’s partners Chaz and Kendis have good stories too, and the way these three men heal each other is well done. There’s great chemistry between each pair, and when all three come together, oh yes, it’s smokin’ hot. Jon had no idea how taking up with these young guys would change his life!
And speaking about changes, I really like thinking about the changes this diverse group of characters brings to the small Tennessee town. The messages K.C. Wells includes about tolerance and acceptance are poignant and timeless, and simply can’t be repeated often enough.
This is the final book in the Southern Boys trilogy, and I have not read/listened to the other two. While I did NOT think I missed anything by not doing so, at some point I want to go back and read/listen to them. I don’t NEED to, but I would LIKE to. The author recommends you do read Pride and Protection first though.
Jon has been hiding for his whole life. And now he has not one, but TWO men after him. But Chaz and Kendis can’t possibly want an old man like him, can they?
What I particurlarly enjoyed about this book was, it was a 3 way awakening. Chaz and Kendis are young, and they haven’t been with anyone. Chaz is far more forward about what he wants and WHO he wants, but Kendis catches on real quick. When these two both trun their sights on Jon, the man doesn’t stand a chance! But it really is a chance he wants to take. And take it he does!
It takes time for the three of them to finally . . .FINALLY. . . get together, but it certainly is worth the wait! So beautiful when Jon gives in to his needs, when he makes the decision to think about himself for once, and the world can wait til tomorrow. When Jon eventually manages to pluck up courage to tell his brother, Del (Pride and Protection, book 2) that he is gay and that he has embarked on something that could be amazing, you feel for Jon, but for Del too. It could have all gone so terribly wrong for Jon but it doesn’t, and I loved that.
Jon Solo narrates.
I loved the narration here. His voices for all three guys, I thought, were spot on. Jon’s much older, mature voice is a marked difference to Kendis and Chaz, the youngest of the three. Solo gets over all of that youth and excitment that Chaz has, all the dawning realisation that Kendis has and every bit of desire and denial that Jon puts himself through!
Solo’s reading voice is deep and even, and I found myself stopping what I was doing, to just listen, you know? Usually I putter around the house but I had to stop and sit and just listen to Solo tell the beautiful story of three men falling in love.
Thank you, Ms Wells, for my copy.
5 stars for the book
5 stars for the narration
5 stars overall
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
A grand finale to a great series (an audio review)
I have loved this series since the first, and am sad to see it end, but what an ending it is. Book 2 was Del and Taylor’s story. Del’s younger brother Jon was there, of course, but he didn’t have a huge impact on me but wow, he really shines now that he has his own book. I really loved Del and Taylor so was interested to see where this series was headed. Have to say, I certainly didn’t see a triad in Jon’s future.
Jon and Del own a motorcycle shop in Tennessee called Rainbow Racers. Not exactly subtle and, to say the least, not everyone has been welcoming. But they’ve persevered and have turned their business into a profitable enterprise. Jon had always assumed Del would leave town once the shop was in the black, but he later realizes Del is staying for Taylor. One of the opening scenes in the book is Jon walking in during an inopportune moment and he realizes he has to find a life beyond his brother.
In the last book we met Chaz, and Jon has invited the eighteen-year-old to move in. Chaz’ parents discovered he was gay, and it did not go over well. Jon wants to soften the blow by being an ear for the younger man. Then there’s Kendis. The young man came to town to play basketball with his older brother. Now Marcus has moved away and Kendis has graduated high school. He hasn’t been able to secure a long-term job and his prospects are bleak. He decides to try to get a job at Rainbow Racers and winds up with so much more.
I don’t want to give too much away, but the three men bond. In unexpected ways. And although Jon has all kinds of reservations, Kendis and Chaz don’t. And although I was expecting a dark moment, there really wasn’t one. Was the discussion between Jon and Del a tough one emotionally? You bet. Did it make me love the brothers even more? Yep.
This series has brought me in from the start and I was glad Jake and Liam from the first book got a mention in this one. A completing of the circle. I also liked that there were two interracial couples in the series. Writing a book with those themes can be tough, but Ms. Wells did it beautifully. I highly recommend the series.
Finally I’ll mention John Solo. I really enjoy his work, and this trilogy was one of his better performances. I really can’t say enough good things about these books. I suggest they be read in order, but read all of them for sure.
Outstanding Story & Listen Gripping & Heartfelt!
Desire & Denial
Southern Boys, Book 3
By: K.C. Wells
Narrated by: John Solo
I loved everything about this audiobook, from K.C. Wells’ wonderful writing style to the characters and storylines she created to fabulous narration performed by John Solo. This story grabbed my attention right from the start and captivated it all the way to the end. The characters are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with. I adored each of the lead characters, Jon Walters, Chaz Monroe and Kendis Sesay. Jon and his brother Del own “Rainbow Racers” a bike shop in Lafollette, Tn., Chaz works in the shop. When Chaz father found him with gay porn he went ballistic on him, needing a place to stay Jon took him in. Kendis has not had it easy, he moved to the town with his mother and brother who was recruited for the HS ball team. It was a challenge for the two brothers being the only two African Americans in school, they had to deal with bigotry, even their mother had to deal with hate and prejudice at her job in the hospital. Kendis has not had the best of luck landing a job and remembered a friendly face at school, Chaz. Knowing he worked at Racing Rainbows he goes there hoping to land a job. It was his lucky day, no he did not land a job that day but he gained much more, the start of a new friendship first with Chaz and then Jon. K.C. Wells does an awesome handling and covering real life situations, dealing with racism, bigotry, coming out, self worth and insecurity issues. Those are sensitive and heavy topics but with clever plotting she balances the story out by adding heart and humor to lighten things up. Heart includes caring as well as the chemistry between the characters. I loved how everything played out in this book, also love how much the characters had grown. This book is the 3rd in the series but can be enjoyed on its own. K.C. Wells, thank you for this outstanding story and the emotional rollercoaster ride.
I listened to the Audible edition, John Solo is a wonderfully talented narrator and voice artist. He brings these characters to life, humanizes them giving each their own distinct voice making it easy to follow along and tell who is who. His portrayal of the characters is spot on, he takes each role and makes it his own and grasping their persona as well as all their emotions which is projected into his performance. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another outstanding listen
Another fabulous edition to the Southern Boys series!
There are so many wonderful things happening in this book.
Multi-racial
Age gap
‘Out for you’
Ménage
2 twinks one bear
Virgins
HFN
Sooo well written! I just absolutely love this series!
*****
POV… third person
Standalone or series… book 3 in series CAN be read as standalone
Hangover… slight
Recommend… Yes
Reread…. yes
****
Jon/bear
Chaz/twink
Kendis/twink
Adorable, sweet
Two young virgins, Chaz and Kendis they fall for each other even though both are interested in Jon. Jon is Chaz’s roommate and boss. Plus that Jon is a closeted gay guy, everyone believes Jon is straight, but Jon has been keeping it a secret even at 38 years old, scared to tell anyone.
This book has everything you could want from virgins, closeted, age gap, polyamorous relationship, really-hot sex and an excellent read.
Excellent narration from John Solo. Although, like usual, I sped up the audio, and I listened at 1.40 speed on audible.
Desire & Denial
Southern Boys, Book 3
By: K.C. Wells
Narrated by: John Solo
Series: Southern Boys, Book 3
Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
Overall
Narration
Story
Read at 1.40 speed on Audible
Another fantastic book I just don’t have any more superlatives how to describe K.C. Wells work and coupled with John Solo’s narration, you just can’t miss out on it… Well worth it!
There is a sweet threesome with 2 younger men “persuading” a.k.a. quite funnyly seducing the older one into a caring (and hot!) relationship where they complement each other beautifully…and it is happening during Christmas time
Threesome for perpetuity!! Loved it.
12/28/20 Edited to add my comments on the audiobook.
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Overall – 5
Even better as an audiobook!
I loved this book so much when I read it but John Solo’s performance made me love it even more; he is one of my absolute favorite audiobook performers.
* * * * * * * *
I love this series so much!
Desire & Denial is the third book in the Southern Boys series. While it can be read as a standalone, you will better understand the characters if you read book two first. The whole series is so good that I really recommend reading all three books in order for best enjoyment.
Jon is the older man in this MMM story and he is deep in the closet; his older gay brother doesn’t even know that Jon is also gay. Jon, 38, took Chaz, 18, into his home after he was beaten and thrown out of his house for being gay. They also work together at the bike shop that Jon co-owns with his brother Del.
Chaz has been flirting with Jon, which drives Jon crazy but Chaz doesn’t know that. Chaz has been crushing on Jon but he knows nothing will ever come of it because Jon is straight. When Kendis, 20, comes to the bike shop hoping to get some advice from Del about looking for work, Jon becomes determined to help him find work.
If that sounds complicated, it is for a bit. Chaz and Kendis, being of a similar age, form a friendship that quickly turns into more. At first they don’t tell each other that they find Jon attractive. They eventually suspect that Jon isn’t a straight as they both thought and kind of set a trap for him and then things really take off.
This is one hot story with two very horny young virgins and one older virgin who gets lured into their web and never wants to get out. I think the chemistry between Jon, Chaz and Kendis is off the charts. Jon has a lot to think about because he’s been keeping secrets and he knows that coming out of the closet won’t be easy – especially to his brother whom he should have told a long time ago.
Chaz, Kendis and Jon get a HFN but it’s one that left me feeling confident that their relationship will last. I’m really sorry to see this series come to an end but K.C. Wells promises that we haven’t heard the last of the characters in these stories and I’m looking forward to whatever else she writes for them.
A copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
Fact about the main characters in this story: Chaz’s 18 years of age + Kendis’s 20 = Jon’s 38 years. That would be incredible per se, but the mindblowing thing? ALL three were virgins. I gotta say, I don’t think I ever encountered this particular situation in any book I’ve read before.
You find it hard to believe that Jon got to 38 and still be inexperienced? Honestly, I did too. But, if you’ll pick this book you’ll understand the reasons for his peculiar predicament. Getting to know about his past experiences made me wanna jump into the book and hug him… if it weren’t for the fact that he was already surrounded on all sides by Chaz and Kendis lol.
I don’t think the author planned this book as a comedy, but I spent a lot of the time reading it snickering, if not outright laughing. Chaz and Kendis were acting like two overexcited puppies, thrilled about all new sensual experiences. They seemed intended to act on each and every one of their sexual fantasies… with incredibly steamy results. But the most entertaining part of the book? Watching the two young ‘uns corrupt Jon. Yes, you got that right! Chaz and Kendis were the instigators and pursuers. After they talked between themselves and decided they both wanted Jon, there were no holds barred from seducing him, and the poor guy never stood a chance resisting them. Not that he put too much of a fight, of course, when they offered precisely what he’s always dreamed of. A double serving of it, too
Sexual charge aside, because they had that more than covered, regarding their emotional connection, I think the ending left it slightly still in the making. I mean, it did build up enough during the story and it was there, more than obvious that Jon, Chaz and Kendis clicked amazingly together and cared deeply about each other. But, the author made it more believable by leaving space for growth and adjustments in the future, for them to work their way towards the perfect blending of personalities and a steadfast relationship.
The three virgins didn’t convince you to read Desire & Denial? Then maybe some shameless flirting would entice you, or the possibility of a sweet romance. Just don’t miss out on a great book, I promise you’ll love it.
Desire & Denial by K.C. Wells was given to me in exchange for an honest review. Jon, a shy closeted gay man, is in a cycle he wants to break but doesn’t know how. Kendis, struggling to find his way in a town who wants nothing to do with him since he helped them with the basketball team and graduated high school. Chaz, living with Jon since his dad abused him when he found out he was gay. three unlikely men start out as a couple between Kendis and Chaz realize that Jon also occupies each other’s heart. I really enjoyed this book. It was a window into showing that Jon is stronger and lovable than he thinks but with Kendis and Chaz they each balance out the other in the most unexpected ways and bring out the best in each other.