ARC Review: Finley by Ella Frank

Book Title: Finley
Author: Ella Frank
Series: Standalone
Release Date: March 22nd, 2016
Genres: M/M Romance

*A spin-off from the Temptation Series*

It's time to come home, Finn.

It’s been seven years since Daniel Finley left his hometown in Florida for the hustle and bustle of Chicago’s city life. Since then, he’s worked hard for his position at the prestigious law firm Leighton & Associates, even when it’s caused distance and isolation from his family and friends. But that’s all about to change. On his thirtieth birthday, he receives the one thing he never dared hope for. Something that was promised to him years earlier—a note. One simple sentence from the man he’s never been able to forget.

Six words will forever change the course of their lives.

Brantley Hayes has it all. Or so he thinks. When he first made the decision to take a job down in Florida, his family thought he was crazy. But, after years of living in the quiet beach town, he finally feels a sense of community. He’s surrounded himself with friends who are like family, has a job he loves, and owns a spectacular beachfront property that is his sanctuary.

Yet he still feels unfulfilled, as if a piece of the puzzle is missing, and he knows exactly which piece it is. On an impulse, he follows through with a promise he made years earlier. A promise to call home the one he sent away.

Nothing is as simple as it seems.

After years of separation, the former lovers are reunited, but Brantley wasn’t expecting to encounter the high walls now guarding Daniel’s heart.

Daniel may not be the same person he was when he left, but he knows that the first step to healing is the note in his hand.

I swear, this author could write an auto-mechanics book and I'd read it! Ella Frank has proven, no matter what the genre, be it Contemporary Romance, Paranormal, Erotica, or MM, she pulls it off perfectly. She didn't fail me once again with Finley.

It's time to come home, Finn.

Daniel Finley never expected the day would come where he'd get the letter beckoning him home. It's been seven years he's lived in Chicago and now it's time to revisit his ghosts and go home to Florida. Seven years away from his family, friends, his Brantley. Professor Brantley Hayes- the man who sent him away is now beckoning him home. Two weeks...to turn the tables...to take control...to walk away, dignity intact, and finally close that door. But can it be that easy?

Finley is a steamy second-chance romance that combines all my favorite tropes. Obviously second chance, but also teacher/student romance through blips from the past when Brantley was Daniel "Finn's" college professor. It's got that angsty tug of war between two very virile men fighting their insane attraction and deep-seated feelings that even time can't fade. And holy hotness, my ovaries about combusted with these two. Wow. Let me repeat- time did not fade their attraction!

I must say, I usually pick a hero to attach to but both these guys hooked me. Both very virile, both tops AND bottoms, mature- the whole perfect MM holy hotness package. Finn is not the man that was forced to walk out the door 7 years ago. He's matured, gotten a backbone, and Professor isn't going to know what hit him. Gone is the young beach blonde college kid, and in comes the confident attorney ready to take control of the situation- in the bed and out. But Brantley...Brantley is his kryptonite. Will two weeks be enough?

So many times with second-chance tropes like this, I worry about manufactured drama to be thrown in for added conflict or angst-sake. I was pleasantly surprised Ella Frank chose the high road here and didn't make drama for drama sake. The events and timeline were nicely paced and their feelings and reaction realistic. That makes for a happy Allison reader!

Another two thumbs up for Ella Frank in her latest venture into MM romance. Bravo!

Advanced review copy received by the author in exchange for my honest review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ella Frank is the author of the #1 Bestselling Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust and is the co-author of the fan-favorite erotic serial, A Desperate Man. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”

A life-long fan of the romance genre, Ella writes contemporary, M/M romance and erotic fiction and lives with her husband in Portland, OR.  You can reach her on the web at www.ellafrank.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ella.frank.author

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