JL Merrow

What I loved most about this story was the main character’s unique voice and the way he tells the story. It made him so real to me that I felt as if he was a friend I’ve known for a while. Chris may have had both legs amputated after an incident in Afghanistan, but he kept his sense of humor and now has a very unique outlook on life.

Chris gives us only some of the facts of what happened, his focus is on describing how he deals with life now that he has to learn to live in a wheelchair. show more He has already learned how to manage daily life, and this story focuses on how he deals with his social life and rediscovering that he still has a love life as well. He doesn’t say that he is afraid of never finding acceptance from a partner, but it is clear that he worries.

Josh may have only been a quick encounter in a bar six months earlier, before Chris went on active duty, but he turns out to become so much more. Yes, he is shocked that Chris is in a wheelchair, but he sees right through that to the man he was interested in before. Very few people are able to do this, and in that sense Josh is an exceptional man. He is also quite normal since he goes after Chris because he is interested in him as a person and as someone who is good to be with in bed – legs or no legs, Josh realizes that isn’t what counts most.

‘Permanently Legless’ is another great example of J.L. Merrow’s ability to make a character some so alive you think you can touch them. Chris has a unique voice, a real message of hope to give, and, at the same time, explains some of what life in a wheelchair can be like. If you prefer your stories with some depth that will make you think, if you like a good romance without it being overly sweet and if you want to met another of J.L. Merrow’s fascinating men, go and buy this book. It’s worth every penny!


NOTE: This book was provided by Amber Allure for the purpose of a review. show less

Hard Tail is the story of Tim Knight. He struggles to get back on his feet after losing his job and his wife. Tim agrees to mind his injured brother’s mountain bike shop in the meantime. This story is told in first person through Tim’s eyes.


Tim’s wife leaves him for his best friend and it’s time he faced the fact that they were really no more than friends. He admits he used his wife and marriage to deny to the world and to himself, he’s gay. Working in the bike shop in a small town show more out in the country, Tim starts to face who he really is and what he wants out of life. It certainly helps that Matt, the bike mechanic working in the shop, is gay and cute. Matt is clumsy, but he also has secrets he’s keeping. That secret is an abusive boyfriend.

Tim figures as long as he lives at his brother’s house and works in town, he may as well get involved in the community. He doesn’t know how long his brother will be in the hospital. So he enrolls in a karate class to keep up his skills. There he meets a karate bully who factors into the story. Tim starts to cycle with Matt’s friends.

Tim voice comes across loud and clear. He’s sarcastic, not only about others, but also about himself. He’s a bit of a prude and unsure about how to handle his interest in men, particularly Matt. He’s a bit insecure because his parents have always favored his older brother, who for most of his life was never very reliable or good at staying in one place. Matt is adorable, clumsy, and it was clear he was attracted to Tim, but he was living with his boyfriend. I should probably mention one thing. Tim is still married to his wife when he and Matt begin their relationship. But Tim's wife has already moved out to live with Tim's ex bestfriend and they are preceding with a divorce. The break-up is amicable and his wife later comes to help Tim with an issue that crops up. So both of them are already moving on.

The pace of this story wasn’t particularly fast. I can understand since a lot of the interaction took place in the bike shop and in the calm country atmosphere. Speaking of country, the author did a great job of conveying the landscape and especially the bike trip that Tim went on. The description of the town was also well done. There’s a self-deprecating humor that runs throughout this whole story. It’s not heavy, but enough to keep the book amusing. The situation with the abusive boyfriend wasn’t overdramatic thank goodness, but it did raise the topic of how men can also be abuse victims.

Hard Tail was a fast, entertaining read with almost flawless writing. I only spotted one sentence that broke the fourth wall, yes in first person, that when I read it, jolted me completely out of the story. It was that obvious. The characters have distinct voices, some of the best I’ve read. I give this book 4 Stars

show less

Oh Al and Larry, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways!!!

Al may be, the most beautiful character I have read in a VERY long time. I adored hearing this story from his sweet POV. He may have a face which he describes as a squashed potato or the intellect of a blade of grass but what he lacks in those areas he makes up for in so many other ways.

I LOLed and snorted in glee in the beginning. I sighed and cooed as their relationship progressed and I fell in love with this touching romance.

Oh show more I nearly forgot to mention the smoken hot m/m action...yes!

Thank you J.L. Merrow for this little slice of heaven show less

4 Stars

Real foibles. Real problems. Real.

Definitely a great start to an intriguing series setup involving a fictional British seaside town that will be the future nexus of past and present romance stories.

I admit I kinda hesitated starting this. It seemed a bit gloomy and the page number was intimidating but its quiet voice and strength of story won me over.

Devan is on vacation with a hidden agenda in visiting Porthkennack. While he procrastinates he comes across Kyle who has his own health show more problems and baggage. What ensues is a cheeky (but with plenty of feels) interaction that is sparked by attraction and transforms into a friends with benefits situation as they get to know each other while exploring the history laden town. Both Devan and Kyle have insecurities about their life situation and the prospects about their future - each plausible and understandable - each with a yearning to find purpose and maybe that special someone to perhaps take a chance on.

This was a slow buildup despite spanning a short few weeks. This was also a thoughtful and unique look at an illness hardly seen or known about and how both Devan and Kyle step up for the other when truly needed.

Sedate but grounded, smexy with tenderness and conflict. This could’ve been boring but the MC’s and supporting cast kept this interesting and engaging. I’m looking forward to delving more into the world of Porthkennack as other authors will have a new outlook and take on this unique setting. show less