Adam: Meeting an A-list movie star like Truman James wasn’t part of my life plan, but neither was temporarily living with my bully of a stepbrother. Being hit on by said celebrity definitely hadn’t been planned. Beating my social anxiety wasn’t going to happen anytime soon, and avoiding the stubborn actor was even harder, so when I was thrust into the spotlight, there was only one thing I could … thing I could do… Run.
Truman:
From the moment I set eyes on Adam Hendrix, I was enraptured. His sweet demeanor and pretty-boy looks captured my heart from the start, and I refused to let Adam get away. When the paparazzi began to swarm, I did the only thing I could to protect Adam… I whisked him away to a place no one could get to him. I let my guard down and showed Adam the real me. The one only a few people in the world know. But will it be enough to make him stay? Will I be enough to make him happy?
This is a m/m contemporary romance; alpha/nerd; low angst novel. Trigger warning for some bullying.
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What a delightful story this was! It had everything in it. Two intriguing main characters, a couple of interesting secondary characters, whom I hope get their own story! It was entertaining af, great environments, a tiny bit of angst, a bit steamy and a lot of sweet uplifting moments.
Characters who made progress in their personal growth. It was a complete picture with a great plot and a good development. I think I can say there isn’t a thing I didn’t like or would change.
It’s about Truman, a movie star, used to get his way and Adam a shy, introvert writer, living temporarily with his stepbrother, who is a big bully.
When Adam meets Truman for the first time Truman behaves badly. Adam despised his attitude, is angry and runs off to the other side of the building straight toward home. Truman is intrigued and wants to know everything about the man who stood him up. He has his people to find him.
When the paparazzi hear of Adam, they put cameras and mics in his face. Truman feels awful, together they have to disappear for a month, to give them some peace.
We get to know them in a way nobody knows them and that is just precious. Two beautiful, vulnerable men with their own story. Two men who, with all the baggage, are pure, delightful and full of love and passion. It’s not only about them, but there is also a whole intense and intriguing journey! A smoothly written story, the whole picture made sense.
Absolutely worth read!!
The beginning almost turned me off completely. I get arrogant characters who need a good love to give them perspective, but certain things that happened almost pushed it too far for me. Truman started off as more despicable than unlikable and I was really, really worried he wouldn’t redeem himself. Turned out I worried a little too hard. He ended up as one of the best men and I’m so glad I stuck it out.
Adam had mental health issues and I loved that the way it was dealt with was real. That there’s no real cure and that he found his own coping methods. While the actual follow-through with some of it was inconsistent, it was still a present thing in their lives that was handled realistically. As an individual I thought he had backbone when it counted and learned to love himself and see himself through Truman’s eyes. He grew and deepened as a character and I liked that quite a lot.
There was a hint relatively early on about a possible conflict and it was never mentioned again until it surprised them all. Completely unnecessary. It really should have been nixed in favor of keeping the conflict between the person that sold them out and had been causing problems from the very beginning. The confrontation with that person at the end was … mature, I guess, but felt completely underwhelming. Instead of thinking that a couple loose threads needed to be tied up, it would have been much more effecting to simplify and stick to only one.
The slower-to-act steamy aspect of their relationship was full of so much heart and understanding. It showed exactly how far Truman came from his infamous beginning. And seeing him in Ireland was fantastic. I loved how they grew and the way they weren’t chosen as the vehicle for tearing them apart before a reconciliation. Instead, we get a more united front dealing with those things that sought to bring them down and pull them away from one another. Their relationship and how it grew, deepened, that was what really sold me on the story.
I have such high hopes for the rest of the series. The small asides to introduce the next two couples we’ll see more of was slightly distracting and I mostly wish they’d been saved for their own books, no matter the overlapping timelines we’d get later, but they weren’t huge or so overt that I disliked them. The characters were present enough to draw my interest without really pulling the attention from First Priority’s MC’s. I’m really hoping the rest of the series follows the same level of depth and commitment that Adam and Truman showed here. With a start to the series that was utterly enjoyable, I’ve set the bar pretty high and can’t wait to see how the rest plays out.
New to me author. This is a mm contemporary romance. Main characters are Truman a movie star and Adam a writer with social anxiety. Set in the USA and Ireland. An enjoyable read. I’ll read more from this author.
I could not get through this book fast enough because I just wanted it to end! I love M/M books, but this one did nothing for me. Truman is a movie star who falls instantly in love with the average guy Adam and together they flee the country when the paparazzi starts a story about the two of them together. These characters were so dull to me and there were random chapters from secondary characters in the middle of the book. Very odd.
An arrogant movie star and a shy, anxiety-filled writer!
Truman is used to getting his way, in everything. Well, except maybe when it comes to Adam, who doesn’t care who he is at all! He is intrigued by the man.
Adam has always had issues being in a crowd or even a small group of people, he becomes anxious! So when Truman sets his eyes on him, he doesn’t understand why, he is nobody! Is it because he doesn’t want Truman’s attention at all?
Will Truman’s persistence ultimately lower Adam’s anxiety enough for them to get to know each other?
This tale is sweet and endearing, but it also comes with some issues we are constantly dealing with in real life like anxiety, bullying, peer pressure (and its results), doubting oneself, low self-esteem. Ms. Holland was able to incorporate all these in this story, keeping in mind that these are real issues people have to face in their lives. I love the parts where there was an interlude and an intermission, it is new and refreshing! The fact that what the supporting characters think is awesome! I love it!
I say, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” because learning and getting to know each other definitely prove a lot of wrong assumptions between Truman and Adam. A sweet and awesome read Ms. Holland, love it!
I enjoyed reading this extremely entertaining MM romance & it is a splendid start to a new series. I found the plot well-written & interesting with some good world building & descriptions. The characters are interesting with quite complex personalities & continue to develop throughout the story-line to become emotional strong individuals who love each other. There is good support from the secondary characters.
There is: a arrogant playboy actor (Truman) is stunned when a insecure male graphic designer & writer (Adam) promptly turns his offer down, Adam’s bullying stepbrother (Chad), a bartender & caring friend (Jay), Adam’s best friend (Jeff), some twists, drama, intrigue, family issues, caring friends, attraction, frustration, obsession, manipulations paparazzi, anxiety, compromises, memories, confrontations, threats, danger, conflict, declaration, love, some steam & a wonderful, happy ending.
Hot shot Truman James is not used to hearing the word no. And then his huge ego takes a blow…delivered by Adam. Sweet,unassuming Adam,who doesn’t want anything to do with the arrogant man disturbing his life.
Aww! Poor Truman! His confusion is hilarious. Rebuffed at every turn by Adam,which of course only increases his fascination…and persistence. Because after getting to know a bit more about Adam,Truman just wants to make him smile and keep him happy.
Their story is fun and charming. It’s a sweet romance between two men that have difficulties with trusting and allowing themselves to depend on others. And it was amazing to watch Truman and Adam become each other’s .