REVIEW: Typhoon Toby - Forces of Nature Book #Two- R.L. Merrill

Title: Typhoon Toby
Series: Forces of Nature Book #Two
Author: R.L. Merrill
Genre: Gay Romance, Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ Romance
Publisher: Celie Bay Publications
Release Date: August 1, 2020
Format: Kindle
Pages: 222
Source: Amazon

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 that glittering exterior, Toby suffers the lasting effects of abuse. To keep his tempestuous past where it belongs, he insists on anonymity with lovers no 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?

Review by Gloria Lakritz

Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team

Finding the flip side of an author is real exciting. I had cause to find Ro Merrill reviewing a series of books by many authors that was Hard Rock Metal Bands, Then the dark Carnival of Mysteries story in another Anthology. Having time off for the Holidays I found the Forces of Nature Series with Book 3 coming out soon and grabbed the first two This showed a different side of this great author. Hurricane Reece and this Typhoon Toby was such a different, gentle story with depth, life lessons, and written with great heart! I was glad to see the different side of her.

Book 2 is still dealing with Book 1’s issues and that was so good to still be immersed in Reese and Jude were still ‘getting there’ dealing with their stuff. Is certainly was comforting to be there. Reese and Toby are soooo different….Being best friends and collaborators doesn’t mean they are the same in how they grew up and what their stories are.

Toby was in college by 16. He was so young and was abused by his Professor….when he finally realized it; he thought he was un-loveable, trash and dirty. No one would ever love him.

Reese had a calling, and a grandpa who loved him and guided him. He played music, wrote music, did shows touring all around the world. Toby worked with Reese on many of his projects. Finished with this tour he booked a vacation at a gay resort in Bali. This would be by his rules, hook ups, no names, no personal info. But he met a man he spent every day and night with and wondered ‘what if”

Returning back to the states, he still thinks of the man he left behind. Shockingly the man now sees Toby on Local TV …We learn his name is Dr. Spencer Hart, is a therapist and advocates for LGBTQ youth, and he is nearby. Doctor Hart also still thinks about ‘what if’ about Toby. He plans on meeting him…

This is not a quick fix, as we are intertwined in two love stories and although Reese and Jude are on the better side of it, Spencer and Toby are our main attention. It’s a hard road to making this right, but both men give us all they have in fixing this….I was immersed in this….couldn’t put it down!!! Great Job Rochelle!!!