Title: Secrets of Neverwood
Series: Secrets of Neverwood, Books 1-3
Author: G.B. Lindsey, Diana Copland, Libby Drew
Genre: Paranormal Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided via NetGalley
Published: June 30, 2014 by Carina Press
Three foster brothers are called home to Neverwood, the stately Pacific Northwest mansion of their youth. They have nothing in common but a promise to Audrey, the woman they all called mother—that upon her death, they would restore the house and preserve it as a home for troubled boys.
But going home is never easy.
Cal struggles to recover from past heartbreak, while Danny fears his mistakes are too big to overcome. Devon believes he may never break down the barriers that separate him from honest emotion.
On the path to brotherhood, they discover the old mansion holds more than dusty furniture and secret passageways. Audrey’s spirit still walks its halls, intent on guiding “her boys” toward true love, and an old mystery stirs up a new danger—one that could cost the men far more than just the house.
Reviewed By: J9
In a Nutshell: Good novellas that have a cohesive plot. As in all series, I had my favorite couple and my least favorite but I enjoyed reading about all of them.
Why I Read This Book: I’ve enjoyed Libby Drew’s gentle romances before so thought I’d try this one. When I found it was book three in a novella series I knew I had to read the other two.
My Thoughts on “One Door Closes” by G.B. Lindsey: This is the complicated novella. It sets up the novella series by showing Cal and his two foster brothers returning home after their foster mother’s death. Cal is the responsible one but he’s wrestling with demons as he returns home and sees Will, his high school love. Cal is a stellar character. Readers know early on that he’s not a typical MM hero but I loved him more for it. I also really loved the reunion romance which is rare for me because I rarely enjoy them. I think part of why I loved the romance was because the traditional plot device of the “big misunderstanding” wasn’t used; it was more nuanced than that between two immature high school men. Now Cal and Will are mature adults and what ensues is a gentle but passionate relationship that really worked for me.
My Thoughts on “The Growing Season” by Diana Copeland: This was the couple I was most nervous to read but I ended up liking their relationship the best. Danny is young and mouthy but it’s a shell to keep from being hurt more than he has been in life. I loved watching him open up to Sam. Sam is from a wealthy family and he seems to have life figured out but his mother is in hospice and Danny sees the hurting man Sam really is. Danny’s unique way of caring for Sam and Sam for Danny made them my favorite couple of the series and I was pleasantly surprised by how well I enjoyed their story.
My Thoughts on “The Lost Year” by Libby Drew: I read this series because I’ve enjoyed this author’s books before. Her hero, Devon, was a mysterious and aloof—just the kind of lead I love. Devon’s growing relationship with his foster brothers Cal and Danny is wonderful. I don’t want to spoil it but I loved the scene where he comes down to breakfast to see Cal, Danny and their partners gently teasing him. Devon’s fascination with Nicholas was what I didn’t get. I never understood why Devon felt the way he did about Nicholas, especially after living so emotionally removed from people around him. Their relationship hinged on Devon helping Nicholas find his missing son and that worked fine but I didn’t love the men’s relationship.
IMO: This is three good novellas with a dash of paranormal linking them all together. MM readers should enjoy all three novellas and the relationships in them.
J9’s Rating:
If they come together, I may have to check them out.
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