Release Day- REVIEW-Earthquake Ethan - Forces of Nature Book #3- R.L. Merrill

Title: Earthquake Ethan
Series: Forces of Nature Book #3
Author: R.L. Merrill
Genre: Gay Romance, Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ Fiction
Publisher: Celie Bay Publications
Release Date: March 13, 2024
Format: Kindle
Pages: 322
Source: Amazon

The Earth shook the morning actor Ethan Bradley arrived in Los Angeles looking for a second chance. He hoped his former producers Reese Matheson and Toby Griffiths meant it when they said to look them up if he were ever in LA because he had no other options. The pictures the paparazzi took at the wrap party for their London show made sure of that. What he wasn’t counting on was the reception he got from their manager, Arthur Frye. He was absolutely the kind of together guy Ethan wished would notice him, and for more than his pretty face and talent. Too bad Arthur only sees Ethan as a complication.

Arthur Frye has his hands full with his best clients—and best friends. The last thing he needs is another diva to care for, especially one who has a reputation for causing trouble. He has a strict rule against getting involved with the talent, no matter how pretty they are. Only Ethan Bradley shines for real, and when Arthur realizes his nice-guy innocence is genuine, he’s ready to do anything to help Ethan get his career back on track and get him out of LA. He’s too much of a temptation, and Arthur can’t afford to lose focus…not even for a chance at happiness for himself. Especially not when his star clients are about to risk their professional and personal happiness with their newest creation; a musical about two boys falling in love in the 1960s featuring music written by Reese’s grandfather, whose health is in decline.

Ethan Bradley shakes things up wherever he goes, and Arthur Frye is afraid he’ll be left in the wreckage if he gets too close. Can these two opposites find love on solid ground?

Review by Gloria Lakritz

Review Chair for The Paranormal Romance Guild

R.L.. Merrill has written a Forces of Nature series doing what she does best. Romance, family and plenty of love. Her characters might be damaged but try as they may to fight it, she brings out the worst in them and than makes it the best in them.

Toby and Reece have now had their books and are now together again working on a play to honor Toby’s grandpa who has now been dealing with dementia. Grandpa is living with Jude and Toby in southern California beach community. Reece and Spencer are now also in a committed relationship living nearby.

Book #3 Earthquake Ethan begins with an earthquake hitting LA the morning Ethan lands there with a few dollars in his pockets, no place to go; but a mention from Toby and Reece who had worked with him in London…..If you’re ever back in the states……..

Ethan had gotten some movie deals in London and was on the top of his game when the press in London had printed some nasty stuff about him and he was fired from the set, Blocked from working and was returning to the states with 2 pair of jeans from Good Will and a prayer that Toby and Reece meant what they said.

So knowing Toby and Reece as we do, it was inevitable that they would try to help. But they had only a few more weeks to work on their show opening so they called their agent and bestie who the trusted with their own lives Arthur Frye to put out feelers and get appointments to help Ethan.

Arthur to say was not happy having to baby sit this stranger who was so attractive. So Mr. Grumpy put him in a hotel downtown near the theatre where the group was practicing the show.

OMG Ethan was the sweetest. We learned this thru his POV. He hadn’t done what the press said, He was a golden boy and then was living on the streets till he could pay for a flight home.

Arthur took a bit watching Ethan, thinking he didn’t fit the story he was given and we knew he didn’t. Mr. Grumpy started to fall in like…then lust , then LOVE along the way……..

The storyline of the play and this entire group joining together to give Grandpa this wonderful tribute while he still understood what Boy meant, was so masterful, I cried

Rochelle Merrill, in these three books, you have given your readers and me, a wonderful picture of good people doing their best to be their best. AND YOU DID IT WELL….

Hmmm there has got to be some more….Maybe weddings ?????