After zero-gravity heroics left astronaut Nicolas Rogers injured, his new job as a park ranger seems perfect. Being a caretaker of his corner of the Smoky Mountains makes him almost okay with having to be on Earth. More importantly, this deep in the woods, Nico’s practically a hermit at a remote ranger station. Sure, he has good friends in nearby Knoxville, but he’s otherwise free from petty … drama and broken hearts… until Deen enters his world.
Caught in a compromising position by relentless paparazzi, rock star and international playboy Deen Jayse barely escaped with his career intact. He needs image rehab and a break from fame. His manager strongly suggests a stint in the Smokies, promoting national parks and being wholesome. Which would be a lot easier if Nico weren’t there in his sexy park ranger uniform.
Nico already has his hands full with arsonists at the park without Deen adding to his workload. He thinks he has to babysit a spoiled celebrity, but when he catches a glimpse of the man behind the persona he sees something he can’t resist. They’ve both experienced the isolation of fame, and while their loneliness brings them together, their worlds threaten to tear them apart. Deen can’t just drop everything to go live in the mountains, and Nico can’t abandon them… After a taste of being together, how can they possibly face a future apart?
Splinter is a standalone gay romance novel with a HEA ending and no cliffhanger. Book #2, Grasp, is available now!
2017 Rainbow Awards Finalist in Best Bisexual Romance & Best Bisexual Book!
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Audiobook review:
Overall – 5
Story – 5
Performance – 5
Great story, great narration!
I’m pretty new to E. Davies books but I’ve really enjoyed those that I’ve read so far and this was no exception. Greg Boudreaux always does a fantastic job when he performs; he doesn’t just read a book. He does great, distinctive voices for each of the characters.
This was a bit different for a rock star story. I like the storyline of a former astronaut (Nico), injured while in space, retreating and becoming a park ranger. And rock star (Deen) having to hide away after being caught with his pants down – literally.
There was also a nice mystery going on. The who story kept my attention and I listened to it straight through.
A complimentary copy of this audiobook was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author and/or narrator.
I can’t believe I have not read this author before. This is a MM contemporary story set in the USA national park. Main characters are Nico an ex astronaut hiding from the world as a ranger in a national park and Deen a rockstar with a bad rep who is trying to have a break from scandal. They find love in the Smokies. Off to read book 2.
The first book in the Significant Brothers series, Splinter introduces us to Nico, a medically retired astronaut and current Park Ranger, who is the first out of his close group of friends to find love. Deen is a rock star at the top his game, but with fame comes people who want to exploit that fame for their own purposes. Deen finds himself in a sticky situation in the back alley of a club, and soon it’s decided that a trip to the mountains is the perfect reboot to his image. The last thing Deen expects to find is love in the form of a quiet, secluded man who can give Deen all the love and joy he’s always wanted.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the romance between Deen and Nico. These are men who will do whatever it takes to make their love work, and it’s beyond romantic. Their relationship was sweet and tender and contrasted nicely with the mysterious arsonist that added an edge of danger to the plot. E. Davies has a wonderful writing style that is incredibly pleasant to read and enjoy.
Deen comes across as the aloof, cocky rockstar. Nico may be attracted to the guy but he’s not impressed by the attitude. It doesn’t take long for Deen’s true self to show up without all the glitz and glamour and that is the Deen that is way too appealing for Nico to resist. They fall in love each knowing that the other is committed to their career. I wasn’t sure until the last how they were going to manage it. There’s a bit of cloak and dagger with an arsonist in the forest. I really liked that Deen treated his fans like real people. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
Audiobook: Excellent narrator!
Despite the lack of suspense I really enjoyed this story. This is my first time reading a book by this author, and I liked his turn of phrase. I had fun with this book. The romance was sweet and uncomplicated. Sure, there were moments that both men should have talked to each other but didn’t. But I really liked their internal musings, there was never a dull moment for me.
An ex-astronaut turned park ranger and a rock star is a match made in heaven, er in space… hmmm the woods?! I liked both men. Nico had that kind of steady calm presence, he settled that wildness that Deen had. With Deen’s help Nico finally was able to accept his physical limitations and move on past the painful memories. Deen, due to his celebrity status, always felt used and never knew when people around him wanted him for what he can give or for himself, so he kept everyone at arms length. Everybody always catered to either his needs or his ego. Who knew that in the woods of a national park he will find a man who will see the real him and not the persona he created. He was finally accepted, he felt loved for who he is as a man.
I loved the humor – it was just the right amount not to overwhelm me since for whatever reason I don’t like too much of it if any in the books I read. I liked the side characters. The story of Significant brothers and how they came to be is very touching. All the men are so different yet are so devoted to each other and the family they created together. This was a wholesome sweet love story that I had wonderful time reading.
This story draws you in with two characters that are totally different. One does not want to around people and the other is drawn to the crowds. With all that is going on in the smoky mountains the trill of the chase is on. Highly recommend this book and cant wait to see what happens in the next book
He’s done it again. Wrote a beautiful love story with passion and drama plus all the beautiful emotions in between. Loved how you had the arsonist caught. Though I was pretty sure who it was, I was glad to see the twist in them getting busted. I love Nico and Deen. Plus Nico’s buddies are awesome. I hope we see more of them plus Ricky and Jeff. Can’t wait for the next one. E. Davies is a definite one click all the time. With a skill and diversity in characters you are going to end up with favorites. This series looks like it’s going to bump my Riley brothers down a notch.
Deen Jase may be a rock star who is rising professionally but personally, he is a hot mess and perpetually in sticky situations. This is perhaps the most sticky and the way out will take time and ingenuity. Owning his own sexuality isn’t going to happen any time soon with his career.
His assignment to do PR activities with the park ranger, Nico in an attempt to rebuild his image, seems not so bad at first until he finds much more than he bargained for. Instant attraction is my jam!
Nico Rogers has secrets of his own and has absolutely no interest in babysitting some rock singer. Over time both men discover that they have much more in common than one might suspect but very different lives. Someone is setting fires in the forest and it seems that Nico might be a target.
I love that this is the start of a new series by one-click maestro E. Davies and can’t wait for more!