STEADY STROKE
By A.M. Arthur
Pub Date: September 6, 2016
Series: Off Beat (Book 2) *Standalone
Page Count: 300
(Sub)Genre: Contemporary, Rock Star, M/M Gay LGBT, Erotica
After a tragic accident, Lincoln West’s dreams of making it big as a guitarist fell apart. Unable to play music, he’s battling a hopeless downward spiral, and takes his friend’s offer to stay at their beach house for the summer. While at an open mike night at local bar Off Beat, he locks eyes with a busboy who doesn’t make Linc feel so broken anymore.
Emmett Westmore lives for the anonymity of busing tables in his aunt’s quirky bar where no one pities him for the fire that killed everyone he loved. He blames himself for the fire, and he doesn’t want anyone to see him—except for Linc. Emmett’s walls drop when he’s around the gorgeous blue-eyed guitarist, but he has a secret that could destroy his budding relationship with Linc.
♥ ♥ ♥ 3.75 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥
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“You’re the first person I’ve met in a long time who doesn’t make me feel broken.”
Emmett’s heart pounded. “You’re the first person I’ve met in a long time who makes me feel alive.”
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Lincoln West’s dream of making it big with his band as a guitarist seem to have crashed and burned. It all ended for him the night he was in a car accident, now he is left to deal with the aftereffects being dizziness and intense migraines whenever he plays. This has resulted in Linc feeling depressed but he is tired of it. Linc decides to go out to a bar named Off Beat. That is when he notices a shy yet attractive bus boy that he can’t seem to stop staring at.
Emmett Westmore has not been dealt a great hand in life. After tragedy strikes where he loses his entire family, he is left alone with a feeling of guilt. Now, he prefers to not draw any attention to himself. Working at his aunt Beatrice’s bar seems like the perfect place since people barely acknowledge him. That is until Linc shows just how interested in him he really is.
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“You don’t have to hide from me, Em,” Lincoln said. His voice was so soft, almost musical, and it caressed his skin like a lover’s touch.
Emmet swallowed hard against a knot of emotion. “All I know how to do is hide.”
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This book started off really good. I loved the connection these two broken characters shared. They started off as friends but the attraction between them was still very present. It was sweet and hot all at once seeing the tension between them. The fact that both these characters had issues to overcome because of an incident in their past had me hooked to their romantic story. I liked how they supported each other, especially when they struggled so much with their problems. It was really heartbreaking to learn how Emmett lost his family, that I was so happy when Linc and Emmett finally became a couple. They were just so great together. It totally warmed my heart.
I enjoyed the story so very much, however, there were a few things that I didn’t particularly care for. There was a big secret that was being kept that definitely added to the drama in the story. I couldn’t believe it when it was revealed, but what I couldn’t believe more was that it remained a secret to Linc until almost the ending. I would have liked to have seen them both deal with the secret a little sooner. I also felt like it was resolved a little too quickly. I don’t care if it would have made it more angsty than it was, it would have been great to see their relationship grow stronger as a result. The pacing in some parts was a little slow, but in other parts, it was just right. I also think an epilogue was needed, at least to me it was because I just needed a little bit more of their story.
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“I feel like we could tell each other anything, no matter how awful. Is that weird, when we’ve only known each other a few weeks?”
“No. It means we have a unique connection. Something to fight for.”
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Despite the things I didn’t care for, I still really liked this book. I loved the connection Emmett and Linc shared. I loved the characters as individuals and as a couple. They were so perfect for one another. It was a pretty emotional story with some drama and angst which I personally enjoyed. It may have been perfect but overall it was a good read.
A. M. Arthur is the author of several Amazon bestselling e-books including the Perspectives and Restoration series. When she’s not writing or working at a home furnishing store, she can be found making jewelry and painting ceramics. She lives in Eastern Shore Maryland with her best friend and one slightly neurotic cat.
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