Rare Paperback – January 17, 2014

My Review:Wow! I adored the first book in this series and wasn't sure how the author would be able to top the emotional turmoil and pull that book had, but she did it. This book was amazing. I won't get into specifics, but literally GASPED OUT LOUD when Part one ended and Part two began. Complete and total shock!There are actually several shocking events in this book that rock Pete and Ash's world. While overall, they are more committed to each other than ever, they are still dealing with some really heavy emotional and mental upheaval in their lives. Ash isn't the most mentally balanced person in the world and while Pete helps that a great deal, he's still rather fragile. It doesn't take much to tip the balance of his world. In this book he takes some HUGE blows. But that's why I loved this book so much.While we've always known how fragile Ash is...this book showed how strong he can be too. It was incredible to be the one to be strong and stand up in the face of hardship when all he wanted to do was crawl into a hole and be. My heart ached for him at the same time I applauded him for continuing to move and live even when I expected him not to.He is so strong and I loved that this book showed that side of him. Even though his childhood scarred him in unimaginable ways, he never would have survived it at all without the inner strength that becomes so apparent in this book. I loved how the author pointed all that out.Then there's Pete...gah. I had no idea what was coming on his side of the story line and was honestly shocked with where it went, but I will say it again...I love how the author wrote this and how it all went where it should have. These guys are so freaking good together and it is so hard to watch them when they struggle because they have already overcome so much, but that's also what made this book so good. The knowledge that they continued to overcome because they have each other as family....and all the members that created their support system. It was awesome to read it and made me feel better for having read it as they found how good they really did have it. Together they are better. Together they are a family.The ending was beautiful and I loved every single minute of devouring this book. I have loved getting to know Pete and Ash and following their incredible story.

So satisfying--poignant, real, bright, and incredibly thoughtful. Garrett Leigh created authentic characters with personalities that were firmly defined, and a plot that was creative without being over the top. I really appreciated that the dialogue rang true as both situation and character appropriate. In addition to an engaging voice, Leigh's writing was both polished and well-edited. At over 200 pages, the story has a satisfying length that was long enough to touch a range of issues, from homelessness and addiction to self-actualization, love, family, and crisis.I enjoyed this book and its predecessor so much more than I expected, and truly got my money's worth. If you read a lot, you know this is not always the case. When I read something that was this well executed, it's clear that the author must have put their blood, sweat, and tears into it. I can only imagine the fortitude required to get something like this from a concept to a finished product, and man, do I appreciate the effort. The joy a good read brings and that feeling of having received real reading value is simply awesome.I'll finish by adding that I don't like writing reviews. I've amassed 850+ books in my kindle library in less than two years. I'd much rather be reading something new than trying to describe what I've already read. At the same time, when a writer knocks my socks off, I feel compelled to give credit where it's due. Especially because there are some fairly well known m/m authors who constantly put out disappointing, formulaic drivel, and somehow remain popular. I read so much that I can't help but buy some of those works. But I am always so happy to discover a writer who, albeit lesser known, is nonetheless incredibly talented. I feel that way about Vee Hoffman, and certainly about Garrett Leigh. Without a doubt I'll buy her next work, and without a doubt, I'll read these books again. Kudos!!

Book2) WOW...Raw, gritty, intense, heartwarming, powerful, amazing M/M tale of soul mates, true loves. This two book story is powerful and engrossing. A hard to put down story of seemingly fragile tattoo artist Ash, and Chicago EMT Pete, who is warm, friendly and strong. As we learned in book one, Ash has not had an easy normal life, after being in foster care and homelessness. Pete has his Mom and friends, but meets Ash after he rents his extra bedroom and has become his new roommate. After seeing his love, Ash, go through his breakdown, the guys are moving along, a new apartment, Ash meeting his sister he never knew he had, and the incredible journey of recovery from Pete's on duty accident, will hold your heart. These men are totally dedicated to each other, true soul mates, with deep long lasting love.This is a complicated tale, as their lives begin to entwine. Deeply emotional characters, life changing events, super hot M/M sex and a passionate, all encompassing, soul mates relationship. Beautifully written by Garrett Leigh, this story will reel your heart along through the pages and won't let go.I highly recommend this well woven story.ENJOY !!!

While the resolutions are very satisfactory in #2, I wish it had been better edited for wordiness, with a lot of telling AND showing which feels insulting to this reader, and some repetition. There is also in the series so far a disorienting way of signifying the time skipped between scenes - often seamlessly within a single scene. And these would be minor, except they're inescapable. Since the author's done better books, I suspect this is earlier writing x inferior editing. I'll read #3 because I'm still interested and already own it - which tells you why Leigh is one of the better m/m authors. There's quality here, it's just still a bit hidden.

I must say, I almost gave up. One of my tinny niggles (coincidences) from book #1 came back strong here and I thought that was an unnecessary drama to add into the whole lot. But I need to give it to the author, because when I realized I was back inside the story. Totally drowning in theirs hopes and fears. GL is hands down one of the best MM writes in my opinion. She is such a brilliant story teller!The actual “Romance" stepped aside in this book. It was more like life throwing a ball at our MC's at every corner and the guys finding a way to overcome what fate was throwing at them. It made them stronger individually and as a couple.I loved the way the story ended.Pete and Ash came a long way. I hope book #3 not only brings us a HEA but a book full of happy moments. We bloody deserve that.

I don't normally take the trouble to write reviews, but having read Slide only a few days ago I had to leave one for Rare... I didn't think I could love Ash & Pete any more as a couple than I already did, but having just read the book in a few hours solid I do! Rare builds on the lovely characters created in Slide and just makes you want to read more and more of them, and makes you wish you could find a love like that. Please write another one, although less sad stuff :-) And I recommend the short stories that go along with these characters too.

The sequel to Slide, I loved all three books in this series. I deem this authors earliest books all fantastic.

Loved it.

Kurz gesagt: Ich habe es geliebt!Nach Slide definitiv eine tolle Fortsetzung und ein sehr schöner Abschluss der Geschichte rund um Ash und Pete.Ich liebe die beiden einfach und glaube man kann gar nicht anders als die beiden ins Herz zu schließen.Leider hatte ich nicht die Zeit um das Buch in einem durchzulesen, ansonsten hätte ich das höchst wahrscheinlich getan.Hab mich während der Arbeit immer wieder dabei erwischt, wie ich an das Buch gedacht habe und eigentlich nur weiter lesen wollte.Es war spannend bis zu Ende und liest sich wirklich schnell. Schade, dass es schon vorbei ist.Kann also Slide (Band 1) und auch Rare nur empfehlen. :)