Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Debut Goodreads Author Daniel Mulligan is tough, snarky, and tattooed, hiding his self-consciousness behind sarcasm. Daniel has never fit in—not at home in Philadelphia with his auto mechanic father and brothers, and not at school where his Ivy League classmates looked down on him. Now, Daniel’s relieved to have a job at a small college in Holiday, Northern … Northern Michigan, but he’s a city boy through and through, and it’s clear that this small town is one more place he won’t fit in.
Rex Vale clings to routine to keep loneliness at bay: honing his muscular body, perfecting his recipes, and making custom furniture. Rex has lived in Holiday for years, but his shyness and imposing size have kept him from connecting with people.
When the two men meet, their chemistry is explosive, but Rex fears Daniel will be another in a long line of people to leave him, and Daniel has learned that letting anyone in can be a fatal weakness. Just as they begin to break down the walls keeping them apart, Daniel is called home to Philadelphia, where he discovers a secret that changes the way he understands everything.
In the Middle of Somewhere is the first book in an emotional M/M romance series!
In the Middle of Somewhere
Out of Nowhere
Where We Left Off
It is followed by the spinoff SMALL CHANGE series, which contains M/F and M/M romance.
Small Change
Invitation to the Blues
Here’s what readers are saying:
“Hands down one of the best books I have read in romance. The MCs are compelling and richly nuanced, the plot is twisty and unexpected, and the writing is simply amazing.” —A reader
“This is exactly what I look for in a contemporary romance.” —A reader
“One of the best, most intense, slow, amazing relationships I have had the pleasure of reading.” —A reader
“A truly mesmerizing study of two deeply touching characters finding love” —A reader
“This book grabbed me by the gut and wrapped itself around my heart.” —A reader
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This whole series is amazing!
This book grabbed me by the gut and wrapped itself around my heart. It has become an all-time favorite read. Daniel and Rex are incredible, intriguing leading men. I absolutely fell in love with Daniel’s inner voice, as well as his outer one. Writing this story from his POV, really worked for me as his impressions of the world around him, his new town, the people, the atmosphere, even Rex, made me feel as though I were experiencing them myself. The added mix of a fated dog, good cooking, musical references, and a setting in my native Michigan didn’t hurt. 😉
The basic plot for ‘In The Middle of Somewhere’ seems fairly simple. Two “opposite” type men meet in an unlikely location, are attracted to each other, get to know each other, and end up realizing they are as necessary to each other as the air they breathe. Thing is, this story, this author’s writing, is anything but simple. As with most people, Daniel and Rex are both products of their pasts -their childhoods, their family dynamics, their personal successes, struggles, and deepest hurts. They have both built walls around their true emotions. They share the trait of making judgements about others based on pre-conceived notions, and acting defensively out of self- preservation. Subconscious it may be, but it sure plays havoc on their budding relationship – whatever it may be. As I was reading, there were occasions which made me sit up with my mouth gaping, thinking “oh fuck me, that’s what has been going on with him/them.” Seems I had been guilty of preconceptions too. Brilliant writing.
Daniel and Rex are attracted to each other, and okay, sex is a pretty easy fall- back position. No emotion necessary, right? Wham bam and maybe a thank you. Only… not so quick. Even early on, both men are getting something from the other that they have been missing. And I don’t mean generic sex. Of the two, Daniel is the less aware (accepting?) of this fact. Gradually they begin to push each other’s boundaries, to find out more of what is under the other man’s skin. Through genuine caring, gentle (and not so gentle) coaxing and a few more of life’s hard knocks, there is a shift in their relationship. They are able to demonstrate vulnerability and intimacy, both emotionally and physically. Raw, wounded, and craving emotional closeness, this new vulnerability makes for some of the most honest merging of two souls that I have ever read. Their sex morphs from great chemistry to white hot, sensitive and stirring. Talk about getting inside each other literally and figuratively, they had that going on. These scenes absolutely contributed greatly to character and relationship development. Daniel and Rex’s cathartic soul searching – sometimes via light moments, sometimes via snot laced crying jags, sometimes via sex, sometimes all three at once – resounds with realism.
This story is far from an angst-fest. There is a lot of witty humor and levity. Much of this is provided by Daniel’s best friend, Ginger. Daniel and Rex move steadily, though cautiously, forward, often with the help of their closest friends. There are some minor setbacks and detours, but they become adept at coaxing candor from of each other. Ultimately they find themselves feeling safe enough to share their deepest personal demons.
This book had a profound emotional effect on me. Again, the writing is amazing and evokes such a great connection with the characters and settings. I can still vividly picture every location, can smell the welcoming aroma of pine, cedar, roast chicken and freshly baked gingerbread enveloping Rex’s cabin haven. Reading the end scene, I was smiling like a big old, satisfied, love sick fool wrapped in a cocoon of contentment. I did fall in love with Daniel and Rex and their impassioned journey. I fell in love with Roan Parrish’s expressive, poignant writing. This book is one of those that will stay with me for a long, long time.