Want true, heart-throbbing romance? Put down the Cheetos, and stop being a jackass.The question is, can I do it? I’ve been an epic dick to my friends, my uncle. Him.Travis Hunter. Photographer, econ-student, paraplegic. Can I redeem myself? Apologize? Make a fresh start?Hunter seems to think so. Even roped me into saving his favorite gazebo from the bulldozers.The confidence of this man amazes … bulldozers.
The confidence of this man amazes me. He’s no bullshit where I’m all bullshit. I throw up walls where he knocks them down.
He’s beautiful, too. Strong arms inked with hummingbirds, a wide teasing mouth, and blue eyes that read me like an open book.
He looks at me, and I look away.
These shivery feelings I have for Hunter? They can’t happen. I don’t deserve him.
Where did I put those Cheetos?
~ ~ ~
“Marc Jillson & The Gazebo” is a sweet, sexy M/M romance with humor and a definite HEA. This New Adult, college, redemption story is book two in the “Love Inscribed” series.
Content warning:
References of past homophobic violence, mentions of the Vietnam War and the draft
The books in the “Love Inscribed” series are standalone romances, and can be read in any order:
LIAM DAVIS & THE RAVEN: Liam & Quinn’s story
MARC JILLSON & THE GAZEBO: Marc & Hunter’s story
more
A heart-throbbing read!
These shivery feelings he has for him…
They can’t happen…
He doesn’t deserve him…
I have been waiting to read this book after reading the first ago a while ago and it did not disappoint.
I loved how these guys worked together, loved seeing them together. It was simply the best.
Full of redepemtion, hope, forgiveness, new friends, gazebo, love and second chances.
Perfect for readers of contemporary romances.
Wow, what a ride, and I loved every minute of it. That was how finishing this book left me feeling.
Marc Jillson, also known in the previous book as ‘Jill’ has has a rough time. He’s carries a lot of blame for some of the past events, but not all. While he was the sidekick to the villain in the previous book, he was also a victim. He carries a lot of shame and guilt from his behavior prior to his attack. He’s carrying around a lot of baggage, and it’s weighing him down.
Travis Hunter comes along, and does his best to help Marc see that he is more than the jerk he was last year. He’s got his work cut out for him, too. Together, they begin the process of trying to save a Gazebo that has so many memories for couples and for love.
This book shows many sides of humanity, such as hatred, evil, meanness, kindness, forgiveness, love, and hope. It’s one young man’s journey to not only seek forgiveness from others, but the ability to forgive himself.
I loved Hunter’s gentle spirit, and I enjoyed the banter between Hunter and Marc. Even when Marc was being self deprecating, I couldn’t help but want to just hug him. His awkwardness with emotions made him endearing to me. I rooted for him the entire book.
The blurb states this can be read as a standalone, and I agree for the most part. It does a good job of giving you an idea what happened in the previous book, but some my find it more enjoyable reading Liam & the Raven first. That said, if you’d rather not, you can get by without it. Many of the characters in this book were also in book one. I’m hoping the series will continue so we can meet up with them again. I find myself bot ready to let them go just yet, and I think you’d agree when you’re done reading the book, too.
***I voluntarily accepted an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews. My review reflects my own thoughts and opinions***
This second book of the series can be read as standalone but I strongly recommend to read first book 1 to fully understand what happened and why Marc felt this way. In my opinion this book is completely about redemption and how when we forgave ourselves we can open our life and our heart to love and be loved. Anyta Sunday created an emotional masterpiece in guilt and redemption and how love can cure everything even our souls. A wonderful reading!
I received this book from Gay Romance Reviews and I am voluntarily leaving an honest opinion.
I do think you can best appreciate how far down Marc Jillson has gone, and how much he needs to be redeemed if you read the first book in the series: Liam Davis and the Raven. That said, getting his backstory in this book does make him a compelling character for whom I want to find happiness.
The challenges that Marc and Hunter face are echoed in two other couples that give them a powerful frame of reference for the consequences of being too afraid to fight for happiness. There is a great depth to the themes of letting fear get in the way of happiness, and making the decision to be worthy of happiness.
Just as in most of Sunday’s work, there is witty dialogue, smart characters who are a little emotionally clueless, smoldering chemistry that burns brighter ever so gradually, and everyone does the hard work of earning their HEA.
I’m hoping we get to know more about Tyler Bentley in the next book.
Although this book could be read as a standalone, it’s better enjoyed after Liam Davis & The Raven, because the characters are already introduced there.
To say that Marc has previously acted as a bonafide jerk would be an understatement. But he wanted to make amends for his mistakes, and who doesn’t love a redeemable s.o.b.?
I felt for his struggles, for the way guilt ate at his soul. He didn’t take the easy way out, avoiding everyone he’s hurt, and instead set out to better himself and then pulled all the stops to deserve their trust.
And I loved Marc with Hunter. They really SAW each other, understood one another on a deep level, and it’s been beautiful to see them navigate through insecurities and fears. What they’ve built together, slowly and painstakingly, was swoon worthy and so darn adorable.
This book wasn’t only about them, though. There was a gazebo to save from being bulldozed, and the fight to keep it standing involved characters I already knew and some pretty incredible new ones.
Marc Jillson & The Gazebo put me through an emotional wringer, but it also made me laugh and awe, and it definitely surprised me more than once. Loved it.
This was so worth the wait! I fell in love with Hunter in Liam’s story, and finally seeing him get his HEA had me in tears. It is a heavily emotional story that has one of the most incredibly powerful redemption arcs for a character. Marc was such a jerk in the first book that I was honestly skeptical of how I would feel about him in this instalment. But I needn’t have worried. His remorse is genuine and the way he treats Hunter this time around is perfect. He may feel like he doesn’t deserve Hunter, but that’s just what cemented it for me. It certainly helps that Hunter never loses his ability to see Marc for the worthwhile person he truly is.
There are heartbreaking moments of course, particularly when it comes to Hunter’s insecurities around finding someone who will want him forever. I almost broke at times, but to balance it out, there is also humour, plenty of sweetness, and a good dose of steamy times. And finally there is the ending which is just everything! Could not recommend this series highly enough!
I love enemies to lovers and Marc Jillson & the Gazebo was a great example. I really read that in one go. There’s something about forgiveness and growth, it definitely showed in this story. Marc and Hunter were so great together. I hadn’t read the first book, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of this story, although I do want to read about Liam and Quinn. This book was hot and sexy and there were so many romantic moments in this book. I really fell for Marc and Hunter was perfect for him. I definitely recommend this book.
I loved this book. Hunter is everything!!! Nobody writes a slowburn like Anyta Sunday but this one is not as slow as some of her other works.
It is sexy, cute and funny and I just didn’t want this book to be over. I love how Marc and Hunter got close through online gaming. I love Hunter saw the best in Marc when all he could see was his shortcomings. Same with Marc.
I love the secondary characters. I wish there was a book for Uncle Ben and Jason. I loved them so much. But the other couple stole my heart! The gazebo storyline is so swoon worthy. And I’m a hopeless romantic!!
This is a single POV standalone novel and I highly recommend it!!
*ARC provided by the author via A Novel Take PR in exchange for an honest and unbiased review