It was supposed to be just sex… Famous last words.Tyler doesn’t overthink pleasure and avoids complications. He knows it might be stupid to get involved with his closeted boss, but the temptation is too great. At first, the cold and beautiful Joel Sandstrom seems to loathe Tyler’s guts.Except one late night at the office, his reasons become clear…and his control breaks.Every time they touch, … breaks.
Every time they touch, Joel’s stony face comes alive, harsh lines smooth out, and for a minute, he looks serene. Happy, even. Just sex – dirty, intense, spectacular sex.
During their covert encounters, Tyler discovers the power he has over the lonesome man, and it’s a heady feeling. What if he could set Joel free and give him peace of mind? When Tyler realizes how much Joel needs him, he doesn’t regret breaking his own rules.
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Gay erotic romance. Contains explicit scenes and sexual interactions between more than two partners. For adult readers only.
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I would rate this 4.5 stars.
I have to tell you the Author’s Note punched me in the gut before I even started reading the story: “Forcing myself into intimacy I didn’t enjoy has been one of the most deteriorating experiences of my life.” Yes, I agree. Forcing yourself to conform to societal expectations regarding love, sex, intimacy, and relationships can be soul crushing–especially when you realize what people say and what they do are entirely different. Even for people who are not religious, the social norms and morals that confine us are often religious in origin that have become cultural. So this story challenges that narrow view of what love can mean. Why should it be the same for everyone?
When Tyler gets involved with his closeted boss, Joel, it’s just supposed to be a bit of fun. When this story starts they are two months into a sexual relationship that has not softened their dislike of each other, or has it? The hate seems to fuel the lust. The author then flashes back to how they got to this place. There is no doubt this is dysfunctional, but when Joel decides to end it, things get complicated. This may seem fast, but they’ve known each other for a year. I think once they got over the anger and frustration, everything started to fall into place. There is one hot sex scene after another, so this is definately erotic romance. Tyler’s best friend Christoffer (no I didn’t spell it wrong) and his partner Adam have often invited Tyler to play with them. Now, adding Joel to the mix makes for some hot times. Although there are M/M/M/M
scenes, this is about two couples. I know that will be difficult for some, but this is all consenting fun. The love between Christoff and Adam is palpable. The love between Joel and Tyler grows throughout the book.
Tyler’s mom is a good addition to the cast and really lets the reader know a lot about how Tyler was raised. Joel’s father is also a prominent character. It’s good to see Joel let go of the shadows of his past and be as confident in his private life as he is in his business life. As this is told from Tyler’s POV, it’s amazing how much empathy towards Joel I felt while reading this. I think this is a simple story, beautifully told, with likeable characters. I would definately recommend it.
Tyler and Joel work together. To be more accurate, Tyler works for Joel and loves to push the limits at work. This is common knowledge at the office. What isn’t common knowledge is the hot and passionate sex both men engage in once last coworker leaves the building. What started as intense, no-strings sex, soon transforms into something more, something deeper. The only thing that stands in the way of these two men are their own personal hang ups. I loved The Other Book. It was such an interesting and fascinating book that showed the raw and vulnerable side of tough men. This lead to some incredibly hot and steamy sex scenes that took my breath away. The audiobook was so well done and matched the intensity of the story.
All time favorite. I LOVED both the ebook & the audiobook
AND the characters reappearing from Adam Only, another amazing read from RoeHorvat
A Very Moving Story
The Other Book is the first book I’ve read by Roe Horvat. I gather from the Author’s Note that this is a very different sort of book for him to write. Since I have no basis for comparison, I can only say how I felt about this story: I thought it was very moving and actually kind of wonderful.
It’s an erotic story but the various sexual situations are all between consenting adults and the way the scenes were written was so smooth and sensual; I could feel the love flowing between the characters (except in the early scenes when they were just getting off with each other).
This is another one of those books that I’m having a hard time describing how it made me feel. The way that Joel and Tyler first get together gave this an enemies-to-lovers vibe but that didn’t last too long. The story contains lots and lots of sex but if most of it was removed, the book would still have been a great romantic story. That may not have come out right… I wouldn’t want those scenes removed. I didn’t feel like the sex was there just to titillate; it added an element to the story that lets us see how Joel and Tyler’s relationship grew.
There are a few intense scenes with Joel’s father that made me so angry and so sad for Joel. I loved Tyler’s mother, though. She didn’t have a lot of scenes in the book but there were enough to know that she is a very caring person and that she has a good relationship with Tyler.
The Other Book was one that I couldn’t stop reading once I started and I was glued to my ereader all evening until I finished it. I don’t think I’ve ever read such a sensual and moving erotic MM story. It truly was a very touching story while also being very, very sexy. I hope that Roe Horvat writes more books like this.
An advanced copy of this book was provided to me but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***
Due to a overwhelming amount of good reviews, I knew I needed to read this book. It’s my first time with Roe Horvat and I know it won’t be the last. I enjoyed it very much from the author’s note to the last word in the epilogue. What I took away from this book is the sense of freedom to express yourself without fear, to trust your friends and to always be true to yourself.
Joel and Tyler are such interesting characters. Both of them have that same passion, but whereas Tyler is open about it and wears his feelings on his sleeve throughout his life, Joel is repressing his so much that it causes him pain both physical and emotional. This is a journey of liberation for Joel and acceptance for Tyler. The level or trust and intimacy between them is so strong that even harsh words and intentions can not break them.
This is very erotic and passionate story with kinky and adventurous encounters between both Joel and Tyler, and his friends. They are so vibrant and electrifying showing how close people can be. I loved every page. It was the beauty of their feelings plus the physical part that made this one heck of a book.
I loved the secondary characters. They added a little frivolity and fun to otherwise serious personal struggles of Joel and Tyler. The whole book was a joy for me to read and this author was a joy to discover. Well done! I loved it and I highly recommend it! Copy provided for my honest and unbiased review
4.75 stars
Heat Level: 4.5
Narration: 5
Wow, just wow!! Passionate and powerful, steamy and sexy!! A truly liberating story!!
A really honest and dynamic book! Passionate and caring! It starts off as an enemy to lovers tale, then transforms into something so much more beautiful. The chemistry and connections are organic and authentic and I found this book exceptionally written. The words just flow so easily and you are taken on a ride of sexual freedom and discovery. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute and could feel all the interconnection characters, their love, and their lives. I loved every part of the journey.
I enjoyed the freedom of sexuality found in this book and found it liberating. The sexual exploration was well done and approached with compassion. I felt the individual connections and love as well as the sexual chemistry and connections when two couple come together (pun totally intended lol). I found the whole thing liberating and somewhat powerful. I can imagine how feeling this story would have been for Roe to write and it’s crafted into something very special.
Amazing and definitely worth a read and/or listen!!
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Super surprising new to me author…and I will be definitely putting more of his stories in my TBR. This book was so gosh darned steamy it took my breath away. When roles are reversed, it becomes even more intriguing. Joel comes across as this stern, tough business owner that rules with an iron fist, but surprises are definitely in store when Joel finally faces what he needs and Tyler faces what he doesn’t really want…or what he REALLY wants. Between these two and the friendship with Adam and Christoffer, the fire quotient if off the charts, but underlying is still about being yourself, loving yourself and finding love.
5 BIG quite overwhelming stars.
I knew it would be sexy and erotic, but I was blown away by all those feelings… this was sooo immensely moving!!
It was erotic, arousing while reading, so vividly written down I almost synchronized my moves and angled my head just like Tyler did…
But what strikes me the most were all those feelings… they go deep and heavy… I felt them…
When Tyler and Joel overcome their uncertainties it is so clear they belong to each other.
Joel taws when he let Tyler in, and blooms by what Tyler reach him. Tyler understands the heavyweight of what’s growing between them.
It was devastating to watch… Joel finally coming to terms… naturally growing to a point… but the world outside (one cruel person) has other ideas.
What we can behold in this story is too big for words… masterly done. I was touched, moved and loved every word.
This story will probably be listed as erotic and it was erotic of course… no doubt… but when I look inside… for me it was not only that what caught my eyes it was much more… it had deep romance and unconditional love and friendship that made my heart pound…
All above was beautifully developed into an enchanting story.
Thank goodness for authors who can surprise me by creating a scenario I didn’t expect at all.
If I had to pick one word to describe Roe Horvat’s novel Adam Only it would be intimate. Horvat cracks open and explores every motivation, every last secret thought, and strips these men bare. Within their interactions with each other and their private musings, nothing is withheld from us. And it’s all done in the most profound and reaffirming way.
When Christoffer and Adam meet at a party they’re immediately drawn to each other. Complete opposites in every way, neither man dares to dream this could be the relationship they’ve been longing for. Well there’s nothing wrong with a night of passion, so they indulge in their incredible chemistry. What begins as honest, uninhibited sex, blossoms into the sharing of souls and starts a connection neither man can ignore.
After getting a glimpse of this hedonistic couple in the first book in this standalone series I was dying to learn their story. My interest was piqued by the curious way Tyler from The Other Book describes Christoffer’s careful devotion to Adam. And it made me sad to learn the depth of abuse and neglect that resides under Adam’s flamboyant confidence.
Told in alternating points of view, we get inside both men’s heads and learn their stories. For me as a reader, gleaning this insight, learning their thoughts, and understanding their reactions to each other, creates a bond with each of them… and increases the feeling of intimacy in the story.
I continue to be thrilled by Roe Horvat’s poetic and insightful writing. With words too beautiful to be called dirty talk, the honesty in the way these men connect and bare themselves to each other elevates erotica to an entirely new level. What makes Adam Only so special is the wealth of emotion Mr. Horvat captures between these two men and I can’t wait to see where this series goes from here.
When I have the opportunity to read a book by Roe Horvat, I can’t volunteer fast enough. I have yet to read a book that is less than what I consider perfection. This one is different from his previous books in that this is romantic erotica, but it is exactly the same when it comes to beautifully worded descriptions and heart-wrenching feelings. I appreciate the sex, and there is certainly a lot of that to enjoy. But I also cried with Ty and Joel as they fell in love and had to deal with some very difficult life issues. This “other book” is right up there with its predecessors, in my opinion. I love the characters and the story, and I never doubted that the author would make me feel this way.
The Other Book by Roe Horvat took me by surprise. This was my first book from this author and it was amazing. What I really enjoyed and liked about this erotic M/M romance was it’s tenderness and vulnerability between the characters. Yes, it’s very steamy and erotic but it’s so much more. It’s about mutual respect and consent. Roe Horvat captured that to perfection. Especially the foursome between Tyler, Joel, Christoffer and Adam. While reading that scene that was the feeling I felt. Respect, consent and love.
It’s a quick and fast paced story. The author excels in bringing out the best in these characters and makes The Other Book shine. I’m definitely reading Only Adam cause after being introduced to him and Christoffer I just have to. This author has got himself a new fan.
4 You Own Me Stars
Erotic, steamy read
CW/TW: cancer, death by cancer (minor character), homophobia from parent
I had a pleasure of following the book’s development a bit and it was a wonderful thing to follow. I was intrigued by it the moment Roe Horvat said he was thinking of using a different pen name for the book as it was so different from the ones he’s published before, which is, honestly, slightly ridiculous. Ridiculous in a sense that the previously published books were all different from each other.
The first think I recommend that anyone does is to read the author’s note. It’s pretty long and it explains a lot of reasons for this book. It’s superbly written and … it’s worth a read. I think it’s in the sample on Amazon, so you don’t have to buy a book to read it.
But this book is more erotic than the others. It has loads of sex, and it’s super hot, but that doesn’t mean it’s not obviously the book by the author. His style of writing is still the same, intriguing, deep and just so…his.
Tyler and Joel are very different characters. Tyler is, as he says himself, obviously out, and Joel…isn’t. It’s not about their field of work, but is revealed later. And they have some trouble with not clashing with each other, releasing the stress and disagreements over sex.
But it’s almost like the author can’t write without angst. As mentioned in the warnings, there’s illness and the explicit homophobia from a parent. It’s brief, but there’s grief later and dealing with it.
It’s romantic, I adored Tyler’s T-shirts (Deadpool riding on a unicorn shirt is FUCKING AMAZING), the banter the guys had and the slow realisation that it’s not just fucking, but that it has developed into something more. And not to mention the super-fucking-hot foursome scene