The Color of Summer MM Romance
Dreamspinner Press
May 28, 2019
240
Tattoo artist Max Marshall rushes into his hometown of Sweetwater, West Virginia—and is promptly pulled over for speeding. Max’s luck isn’t all bad, though, because he recognizes the deputy, Tyler Reed, Max’s childhood best friend’s older brother.
Reconnecting with Tyler helps Max settle back in, and it also leads to attraction. But when he tries to explore that connection at the grand opening of his tattoo studio—by kissing Tyler—awkwardness ensues. Max wants more, but has he misread Tyler’s signals?
As a single father raising a six-year-old daughter, Tyler doesn’t have much time to date. He’s ignored his attraction to men for years, but he can’t stop thinking about the kiss he shared with Max. If he can handle the complications of dating in a small town and the possible consequences to his career, this romance could blossom with all the colors of summer.
Reviewed by Melissa Brus
Member of the Paranormal Romance Review Team
Anna Martin gives us a sweet story. Max Marshall is returning home after his mom has a health scare. He is also opening a tattoo shop in a conservative West Virginia town. So when his interest is peaked by his best friend’s brother, the deputy of that same small town, he risks a kiss. The response is not what he wanted. Tyler Reed is a single dad and has never identified as anything other than straight. To say that the kiss was not what he expected is an understatement. But it is also the catalyst that makes Tyler face a few things about himself. Watching these two navigate their relationship while surrounded by their families was a touching journey.
This is a good story. It has a low level angst and was easy to read. I felt like there were avenues that could have been more fleshed out however. Elements of both men’s past were brushed over quickly and the main points of contention were smoothed over without much effort of their parts at all. Juniper, Tyler’s daughter, was the most precious and awesome character. She is one of my all time favorite book kids ever. She is sweet and precocious and daring. The relationship between June and Max almost overshadowed the one between Max and Tyler. An incident late in the book forces the guys to truly step up their relationship. Their reactions to life afterwards were the best part of the book. The ending was romantic and definitely a Happy Ever After. Overall this was a good story and a sweet addition to your library.