Life after college is not what Aaron expected. Isn’t he supposed to have what he wants to do figured out by now? David never expected his marriage to be rocky, let alone about to end. How is he supposed to move on from this? December in Detroit is normally unforgiving, but an unexpected blizzard puts David and Aaron on a course toward each other. Despite the frozen ground and battleship gray sky, … sky, these men find heat together. It’s intimate and illicit, stretching what was supposed to be a one night stand into something more. Sometimes the touch of a stranger, however forbidden, is just what we need when we enter the gray.
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3.5 stars- An erotic romance with substance
Into the Gray is quite different from this author’s other works in that it’s more sensual and romance focused. One of my favorite things about this author’s style is his descriptions that bring the scene and emotion to life. That was certainly present in Into the Gray, and though it didn’t wow me quite as much as his other books, I got a clear sense of the characters and felt connected to them. That said, this is not an erotic novella lacking a story or distinct characters, so I think it will have appeal to many readers.
I quite liked the idea of this romance featuring two lost men looking to start over and truly embrace themselves after major life changes. I also thought it was interesting to have a May-December romance that featured the older man coming out. The premise was decidedly different and the characters surprisingly well-flushed out considering the shorter length. Although David and Aaron’s relationship did move along quickly, the pacing and writing was executed well, making Into the Gray a good weekend read. If you like your erotic romance with a good plot and interesting characters, I’d definitely recommend giving this novella a try.
Into the Gray by F.E. Feeley Jr. This is David and Aaron’s story.
Entertaining, emotional, and hot read. But this story is so much more. David and Aaron each have some really tough issues that they are trying to work through. Their characters are wonderful and loved that I could feel their emotions.
FYI, contains mature content. This is a MM romance. Kindle Unlimited Subscription
4.5 stars
Heat Level: 3.5
Narration: 4.5
A sweet and simmering snowed in romance!
An enjoyable short read/listen that will get your heart rate up. David and Aaron meet by chance and spark a connection neither of them was really looking for. Aaron is in a place where he’s not sure of his next steps and David is at a crossroads in life, fresh from serving his wife divorce papers. These two smart individuals come together and teach each other more than they thought possible. A really sexy hookup to more style of romance that has all the sweetness, and care I like in a story while a connection that’s believable and in some ways relatable. I look forward to seeing what’s next for Aaron and David.
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It felt like home.
David and Aaron’s story flowed in a way that just … felt comfortable, felt right.
The flow of the storyline was consistent and easy to follow.
The cast was colorful. Each was uniquely different bringing their own something special to the story. I love DeDe.
As a reader, I was easily able to get lost in their journey.
David was going through a divorce while at the same time exploring and accepting multiple truths about himself. I really enjoyed how honest he was when he looked back and analyzed the events that brought him to this point in his life. He went so far as to make amends, not an easy thing to do.
Aaron was at an emotional crossroads in his life. Nothing felt right. Yeah, he had the education, the opportunity, that shot at the ‘perfect’ future. But the thought of it was almost enough to steal his breath. He was hiding. Hiding from himself. Hiding from the truth. Until the perfect storm came into his life.
This was a wonderfully written romance that takes the reader along with David and Aaron as they both learn to navigate around the obstacles in their lives while exploring the wonderful possibilities that a relationship between them might hold.
I am looking forward to the next in series.
This is my review of the audiobook:
This was a great story of instant attraction quickly turning to real feelings. I loved Aaron and David, and I wanted each man to find the happiness that he deserved. The side characters were fun and interesting, but the two main characters owned the spotlight from beginning to end, and I believed every word they said and experienced every pain they felt. This story was short but very sexy and emotional, and the narrator did a wonderful job bringing it all to life. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Audio book review:
Story – 5
Performance – 5
Hot, haunting and wonderful.
This is the first book I’ve read by F.E. Feeley, Jr. and I really liked it a lot. Vance Bastian’s voice was well suited to the book and I enjoyed this one a little better than another I’d listened to.
The story is really hot and is a great age-gap story coupled with a coming out story for the older MC. There’s also a forced proximity trope going on as David and Aaron end up stuck together during a blizzard. There’s a lot of emotional stuff going on for both MCs and Vance Bastian was able to convey that with his narration. The story has a satisfying HFN (happy for now).
I didn’t find out that there’s a sequel to this until after I’d already listened to Into the Gray and formed my opinion of it. I am really happy to learn that I can read more about David and Aaron.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
Into the Gray is the first book in The Color of Love series by F.E. Feeley Jr. It is well-written and attention keeping… filled with interesting characters, humor, emotion and heat. David and Aaron – the chemistry between them is heated…They lure you into their story and you never want them to let you go. Excited for more in this series.
What starts as a chance meeting changes two men’s lives for the better in F.E. Feeley Jr.’s latest novel, Into the Gray. Beautifully written, parallels between both characters’ state of mind and the wintry weather are woven throughout. The imagery is subtle, and Mr. Feeley artfully crafts the overall feeling of making it through the storm (both literally and in the journey of life) into the story.
While age and circumstances place them at very different points in their lives, both of the main characters are stalled at a crossroads. The connection they make by opening up to each other and sharing what’s in their hearts, gets them to a point where they can figure out how to take the next step.
Into the Gray begins with Aaron whose story is revealed gradually. At first all we see is a recent college grad who is floundering with the shock of being in the real world. Moving back to his hometown, surrounding himself with loving, supportive friends, and finding a stress-free job is a good place to pause while he figures out where to go next.
David has known he’s gay for a long time but had resigned himself to an unhappy marriage. Finding out his wife of twenty years has been sexting with his best friend is the wake-up call David needs. His fear of moving on is stalling them both: Keeping her from finding a fulfilling romantic relationship, while he’s wasting the opportunity to truly experience everything life has to offer.
The gritty realness of Into the Gray is very effective. This is not an “insta-love” romance novel where love conquers all. These guys are facing real issues, doing the work, and fixing their own lives. While the connection they make is definitely the catalyst for them to get a move-on, they’re doing it for themselves.
I’m glad to hear Feeley say another installment of Aaron and David’s story is in the works. The last scene in Into the Gray shows them on the precipice of something truly amazing, and I’m looking forward to watching where they go from here.
Take a walk with me to a place where second chances happen, hope springs eternal and true love exists. If you do, you will find yourself in a mystical place F.E. Feeley calls “The Gray”
In this story you follow two men, each trying to move beyond his past into a life where he can once again feel whole and full of personal purpose.
Aaron has graduated college and instead of moving into a future full of promise he is rudderless, mopping floors and emptying trashcans after hours in the kind of office building where he should be productively engaged in pursuits more in keeping with his background and education. Instead he is hoping the routine of the mindless tasks will help him once again find himself. Instead he finds David, a successful and productive lawyer fresh on the threshold of divorce from his childhood sweetheart. A chance meeting becomes a one-night stand that becomes so much more because to quote the author: Sometimes the touch of a stranger, however forbidden, is just what we need when we enter the gray.”
Freddie Feeley has always been a favorite of mine since I first read When Heaven Strikes. He packs so much life into this short story you will find yourself reading sections over and over again. This is a powerful work that gripped me by the heart in the beginning and didn’t let me go till I lay breathless at the end. He paints a clear picture of these men as he methodically, with the skill of an engineer, melds their lives together in a way that will make even the greatest skeptic believe in the power of chance to make a difference. Don’t believe me? Take the walk then. Venture into the Gray. I dare you.