It was supposed to be a no-names vacation fling, but when Spencer sees the man of his dreams on TV and fate throws them together again, can their love survive the torrential downpour from Toby’s past?On the surface, Toby Griffiths appears to have it all: talent, money, a brilliant mind, and model good looks. With his best friend, Reese, he’s built an empire as a singer/songwriter. But beneath … beneath that glittering exterior, Toby suffers the lasting effects of abuse. To keep his tempestuous past where it belongs, he insists on anonymity with loversno names, no personal information. But a vacation fling in Bali changes all that, and he can’t get his recent playmate out of his mind. Therapist Spencer Hart left Bali with a bad case of pneumonia and a broken heart. Although he’s recovering, he’s shocked to find his secretive partner on TV, and he’s determined to see him again. Spencer arranges to attend one of Toby’s fundraising galas, and their reunion is tense. Toby tries to stick to his rules… until a New Year’s kiss with Spencer washes away the last of his resistance. But Toby is a man with secrets, and when the storm comes ashore, it could devastate not just his professional life but his fledgling love affair and his longtime partnership with his best friend. Will Spencer stand by his side and help him weather the storm as Toby faces his worst fears?
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A Bali hook-up that won’t let go
This MM romance had oodles of angst, steam and even some song and dance. It also focuses attention on teen suicide and abuse by trusted authority figures. Toby’s seen them both and barely lived to tell the tale. This is a man riddled with deep-seated pain and feelings of low self worth who cuts the very idea of romance from his life. He’s successful career-wise and a close collaborator with Reese, the hero of the first Forces of Nature book, but identifies himself with the destructiveness of a typhoon, a man who’s dangerous to get close to. Even Spencer, a guy with whom he shares a passionate week in Bali, has trouble tempting him to take a chance on a romantic relationship.
I totally took to the plot and its gradual reveal of the source of Toby’s trauma. The angst, emotion and self-destructive coping mechanisms felt real and Spencer is such a supportive guy that their story felt hard-fought and well-deserving of its HEA. I did find Spencer’s surprise transition from a very frail convalescing therapist to an amazingly competent stage dancer puzzling, but overall I found their story touching and inspirational.
Although this book could be read on its own, I think it best to read after Reese and Jude’s story. The two plots intertwine and some of the plot unfolds simultaneously but from a different perspective.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
I loved this book! Toby has been (wisely) avoiding love given trauma in his past and has resigned himself to the idea that true intimacy isn’t for him. He meets Spencer on a tropical vacation and, though he feels a deep connection to Spencer, sticks with his plan to let it go. A bit of a shaky plan for Toby, who is mildly famous (which allows Spencer to find him by happenstance). Spencer couldn’t forget him either. This book is mainly about Toby giving a real relationship a try.
It’s hard to say more without spoilers, so I’ll just say this is a great hurt/comfort love story that goes deep emotionally. R.L. Merrill always delivers real chemistry, real loyalty and all the feels. I also loved the connection to Reese’s story (from the first book in the story “Hurricane Reese”), though this story totally works as a standalone. Great read!
This is hard, I’m all about the funny and the weird when I review, it just seems to come out that way but this one……it deserves a serious not weird one so here you go.
Toby broke my heart, his image of himself, the damage that was done to him in the past, both by others and himself was heartbreaking .
I wanted to just hug him and tell him not to give up, every thing would be ok.
And Spencer, he never expected a Typhoon Toby to come blowing his whole world apart, but he handled it well.
Then to top it all off we got to see Jesse and Danny and even got to find out never before heard parts of their lives.
I can’t even think of how to say this without sounding like a broken record but I absolutely loved this story. It’s not just a LGBT story, it is a human story, and I adore these guys. My hope is that we get more in the future, please!
A one night stand at Bali, Indonesia, with a beautiful guy turns into a whole week! Nonstop!
No names, nothing. With pain in his heart, Spencer leaves knowing this is what the man wants.
Back in Malibu Toby gets back to work, writing and making music together with Reese (Book#1)
Spencer is a psychotherapist, the week vacation was to clear his head, but his head has never been fuller. Now back in LA, he can’t stop thinking about Toby. Then he understands who Toby is and understands there is a chance, an event to meet him again.
Toby thinks he’s damaged good, and Spencer should stay away. But the music and dance world ánd the typhoon Toby pulls Spencer closer.
There is a lot of turbulence in their relationship. Toby has destructive thoughts and has a lot to overcome.
“You’ll weather this storm with me?” “And every one to come.”
Wow, this story was a lot heavier than Reese his story. But still, it had all the sparkles.
This was a beautifully layered story with the most endearing vulnerable characters.
All aspects were decently developed and enjoyable to experience.
Quite a varied story, with height and depth lows. But sparkling.
The dear friends completed this all into a great narrative.
Toby is definitely a force of nature in this second installment of the “Forces of Nature” He and his best friend Reese had built an empire as a singer/songwriter. He had taken a vacation in Bali and had a vacation fling. He had a troubled past so insisted on no names. Spencer is a therapist and was broken hearted from a fling in Bali when he sees his nameless fling on the TV. I really enjoyed this story, but it was an emotional read. There are triggers in this story so be careful if they bother you. I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.