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Love by Numbers #3
Thirteen
Deputy Mark Forrest and Nurse Francis Archer can’t deny the chemistry that arises between them. A chance meeting awakens the idea of something greater than either had ever imagined.
Mark craves being able to let go, and Francis loves to take him out of his head. But Mark’s past bears a truckload of personal demons that have kept him in the closet and made him lash out at the LGBTQ community in the town he’s come to regard as home.
Despite finding love and a new purpose in Acker, Francis’s new job might end up being temporary, and he doesn't want to lose the life he's settled into. Can the two of them build a future together despite a bitter past, and diverging paths?
Trigger Warning: Abusive, homophobic, and racist language, light D/s, homophobia, vague descriptions of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
This novel is the third book in the Love by Numbers series. While it can be read as a standalone, the author suggests that you start from book #1, Ten, and go from there for the best reading experience.
Mark craves being able to let go, and Francis loves to take him out of his head. But Mark’s past bears a truckload of personal demons that have kept him in the closet and made him lash out at the LGBTQ community in the town he’s come to regard as home.
Despite finding love and a new purpose in Acker, Francis’s new job might end up being temporary, and he doesn't want to lose the life he's settled into. Can the two of them build a future together despite a bitter past, and diverging paths?
Trigger Warning: Abusive, homophobic, and racist language, light D/s, homophobia, vague descriptions of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
This novel is the third book in the Love by Numbers series. While it can be read as a standalone, the author suggests that you start from book #1, Ten, and go from there for the best reading experience.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2020
About the author
Tia Fielding
60 books224 followersTia Fielding is a Finnish author who loves witty people, words, peppermint, sarcasm, autumn, and the tiny beautiful things in life.
Tia identifies as genderqueer but isn’t strict about pronouns. Why? Because luckily, in her native language there aren’t gender-specific pronouns.
These days, preferring to live in the middle of nowhere with her fur babies is as big of a part of her psyche as writing. Tia likes to recharge in nature and tends to watch where she’s going through her cell phone’s camera.
In 2013 Tia’s novel Falling Into Place was recognized by the industry’s Rainbow Awards in the Best LGBT Erotic Romance (Bobby Michaels Award) category.
In 2019, her novel Four (Love by Numbers #2) won a Rainbow Award in the Best Transgender Contemporary category.
Facebook Reader Group: facebook.com/groups/spoondrawer/
Twitter: @tiafielding
Email: tiafielding@gmail.com
Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tiafielding
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 13, 2020
4.5 stars We have here a wonderfully written story which is situated in a small town Acker, Wisconsin just like the two previous stories from this series. This story is about Mark, a sheriff's deputy and Francis a nurse who’s gonna settle in the town where his friends live. The very first time Mark and Francis meet is in a bar and Francis immediately recognizes Mark’s attitude, one of a closeted man.
Francis’ stance, in the bathroom of the bar, gives Mark an incredibly good feeling, his head seems to float. When finished he doesn’t know how fast to run away from Francis.
After meeting each other again under different circumstances, Francis understands Mark is deeply traumatized, a victim.
Francis has a quite dominant side and wants to take care of the submissive side of Mark and Mark... one bunch of resistance wants to and ultimately surrendered.
In the small town, Mark is known as the one who speaks against the LGBTQ community.
He has poison coming from his mouth.
“When we’ve been taught something, it sticks.”
Both men separately try do understand themselves and the other. It’s an intriguing process I can tell you.
Being indoctrinated your whole life isn’t something you get over just like that. It’s a difficult and hard cobblestone way.
There is a strong physical attraction between both men.
But, there is a huge complication. Mark’s brain isn’t always in the right mind.
A story put together with finesse, it was devastating at times but there were also uplifting moments, it had a thoroughly developed plot.
There is some painful nasty homophobic dirt coming from people who should have your back instead of ruin your life.
They were there, I don’t know how but the author managed to get the focus directed on both men and the dirt was at the background, present and at times prominent but still on the background.
There are a few side stories with wonderful friends and chosen family we also now from the other stories.
The author did a great job making Mark grow and overcome a great part of his past.
Francis was solid rock and the center of this story.
Overall a captivating story with some sharp edges, but more focus on kind and uplifting circumstances.
Francis’ stance, in the bathroom of the bar, gives Mark an incredibly good feeling, his head seems to float. When finished he doesn’t know how fast to run away from Francis.
After meeting each other again under different circumstances, Francis understands Mark is deeply traumatized, a victim.
Francis has a quite dominant side and wants to take care of the submissive side of Mark and Mark... one bunch of resistance wants to and ultimately surrendered.
In the small town, Mark is known as the one who speaks against the LGBTQ community.
He has poison coming from his mouth.
“When we’ve been taught something, it sticks.”
Both men separately try do understand themselves and the other. It’s an intriguing process I can tell you.
Being indoctrinated your whole life isn’t something you get over just like that. It’s a difficult and hard cobblestone way.
There is a strong physical attraction between both men.
But, there is a huge complication. Mark’s brain isn’t always in the right mind.
A story put together with finesse, it was devastating at times but there were also uplifting moments, it had a thoroughly developed plot.
There is some painful nasty homophobic dirt coming from people who should have your back instead of ruin your life.
They were there, I don’t know how but the author managed to get the focus directed on both men and the dirt was at the background, present and at times prominent but still on the background.
There are a few side stories with wonderful friends and chosen family we also now from the other stories.
The author did a great job making Mark grow and overcome a great part of his past.
Francis was solid rock and the center of this story.
Overall a captivating story with some sharp edges, but more focus on kind and uplifting circumstances.
March 6, 2020
Reviewed by Jenn for Diverse Reader
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Thirteen is book three in Tia Fielding’s Love by Numbers series and it’s fantastic! This time it’s Deputy Mark Forrest’s story and the caring man that comes to town and shows him how to love.
Mark has a poor reputation with Acker’s LGBTQ community because of lashing out at some of its members. Mark is a good man; his head is just filled with all his parents’ hatred. Mark is so afraid of who he is and is filled with demons of the past. Mark craves things that have been labeled wrong his whole life. But you can only resist what your body craves for so long. When Mark reaches his breaking point every few months, he leaves town to fill that need. A chance meeting with a sweet, sexy and bossy man in a club leads to an awakening Mark never expected…and can’t forget.
Francis is best friend’s with Doc (book two) and has come to town after years of silence between him and Doc. A chance meeting with a sexy, closeted man in route to Acker is a treat he wasn’t expecting. As Fran settles in with Doc and Kaos and begins to look for work, Deputy Mark is right there. There is a pull between these two men that is so strong. Mark is more himself with Fran than he’s probably ever been in his life. When Mark starts to seek help from the local therapist, he finally starts accepting who he is. Leaving some toxic relationship and working to make amends to those he’s hurt shows a level of maturity beyond any Mark has really shown the town of Acker. As he and Fran begin building on their intense chemistry, it quickly becomes obvious that this is more than a bit of fun.
Mark and Fran face all of Mark’s past together to begin building a new future. These two start to help a very special couple in the community and people take notice. The town of Acker may be small and not everyone is flying rainbow flags, but at its heart…it’s a good place with good people. Seeing Mark work so hard towards healing and earning trust and forgiveness is amazing. He opens himself up to the citizens of Acker and they do not disappoint. I thought Acker was special in book one, but by book three, it’s more than obvious how truly special it is. This series is the very best of what we wished we see in people everywhere. Friendships and love stories born from people in need of those relationships more than most. Tia Fielding wrote a series with six men at its core, but the town of Acker and it’s citizens may be the best character of all. I highly recommend this series.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Thirteen is book three in Tia Fielding’s Love by Numbers series and it’s fantastic! This time it’s Deputy Mark Forrest’s story and the caring man that comes to town and shows him how to love.
Mark has a poor reputation with Acker’s LGBTQ community because of lashing out at some of its members. Mark is a good man; his head is just filled with all his parents’ hatred. Mark is so afraid of who he is and is filled with demons of the past. Mark craves things that have been labeled wrong his whole life. But you can only resist what your body craves for so long. When Mark reaches his breaking point every few months, he leaves town to fill that need. A chance meeting with a sweet, sexy and bossy man in a club leads to an awakening Mark never expected…and can’t forget.
Francis is best friend’s with Doc (book two) and has come to town after years of silence between him and Doc. A chance meeting with a sexy, closeted man in route to Acker is a treat he wasn’t expecting. As Fran settles in with Doc and Kaos and begins to look for work, Deputy Mark is right there. There is a pull between these two men that is so strong. Mark is more himself with Fran than he’s probably ever been in his life. When Mark starts to seek help from the local therapist, he finally starts accepting who he is. Leaving some toxic relationship and working to make amends to those he’s hurt shows a level of maturity beyond any Mark has really shown the town of Acker. As he and Fran begin building on their intense chemistry, it quickly becomes obvious that this is more than a bit of fun.
Mark and Fran face all of Mark’s past together to begin building a new future. These two start to help a very special couple in the community and people take notice. The town of Acker may be small and not everyone is flying rainbow flags, but at its heart…it’s a good place with good people. Seeing Mark work so hard towards healing and earning trust and forgiveness is amazing. He opens himself up to the citizens of Acker and they do not disappoint. I thought Acker was special in book one, but by book three, it’s more than obvious how truly special it is. This series is the very best of what we wished we see in people everywhere. Friendships and love stories born from people in need of those relationships more than most. Tia Fielding wrote a series with six men at its core, but the town of Acker and it’s citizens may be the best character of all. I highly recommend this series.
February 25, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Author Tia Fielding adds a third novel to their Love by Numbers series with the release of Thirteen. Readers of this series may remember Padraig and Kaos and the incident concerning little Joie from Four; if not, then it may be useful to read the other other books in this series first as they all hinge on each other. Much like the other stories, this is a character-driven book, one that I feel has the most interesting men of all. My heart bled for Mark Forrest. He was the classic byproduct of an abusive past, proving that things don’t have to be physical to leave lasting and traumatic scars in a person. The weekly phone calls Mark has with his parents are painful to read—and for some who are triggered by homophobic and nasty rhetoric, possibly triggering. But those calls are essential to this novel to fully understand just how deeply pervasive the hold Mark’s parents have on him so many years later, even when they live so far away. It also gives real insight into why Mark thinks the way he does and how he can barely help the hate he was subjected to from spilling out of his own mouth, even though in his heart he never means what he is saying.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Author Tia Fielding adds a third novel to their Love by Numbers series with the release of Thirteen. Readers of this series may remember Padraig and Kaos and the incident concerning little Joie from Four; if not, then it may be useful to read the other other books in this series first as they all hinge on each other. Much like the other stories, this is a character-driven book, one that I feel has the most interesting men of all. My heart bled for Mark Forrest. He was the classic byproduct of an abusive past, proving that things don’t have to be physical to leave lasting and traumatic scars in a person. The weekly phone calls Mark has with his parents are painful to read—and for some who are triggered by homophobic and nasty rhetoric, possibly triggering. But those calls are essential to this novel to fully understand just how deeply pervasive the hold Mark’s parents have on him so many years later, even when they live so far away. It also gives real insight into why Mark thinks the way he does and how he can barely help the hate he was subjected to from spilling out of his own mouth, even though in his heart he never means what he is saying.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
February 15, 2020
Tia Fielding's Thirteen is a spectacular addition to Tia Fielding's Love By the Numbers series. It's a stunning tale of making amends; of taking control of one's life and feelings.
The third book in the series, it's easily read as a standalone. However, I highly recommend reading the first two books Ten and Four since they are stupendous as well.
Mark is a victim of abuse, leaving him both skittish and broken. He's been hiding firmly in the closet, causing him to have done some regretful things. Basically, the author does a stellar job with the exploration of internalized homophobia.
A chance meeting with Francis changes everything as Mark finds himself instantly calmed by the new man. The way in which Francis make Mark feel safe is beautifully written. After a hook-up, they end up in the same town together, setting off the fear of being outed, the need to hide, and the troubles that come when feelings get involved.
Both men are full of emotional pain. The depth of Mark's emotional pain and fear is astounding. The abuse he suffers from his toxic parents as they control too much of his life is maddening.
As for Francis, he's burdened by his past as well. I'm remaining vague here to not give anything away. I honestly wasn't expecting his past, and was impressed with the way it's developed.
The way that Francis recognizes Mark's submissive nature is fantastic, leading to some wonderful scenes.
The writing is superb, with two complex characters, an emotional storyline, and plenty to keep the reader invested. The author excels with creating the perfect small town feel, with helps drive this tale.
As for the meaning of the title, wow, just wow. It made me sick, had me crying, and I'm still in shock.
Thirteen has a tender sweetness that helps the reader deal with the seriousness of the storyline. It's an emotionally riveting tale of self acceptance and coming out, abundant with distinguishable character growth. And I absolutely love it and highly recommend it to everyone!
The third book in the series, it's easily read as a standalone. However, I highly recommend reading the first two books Ten and Four since they are stupendous as well.
Mark is a victim of abuse, leaving him both skittish and broken. He's been hiding firmly in the closet, causing him to have done some regretful things. Basically, the author does a stellar job with the exploration of internalized homophobia.
A chance meeting with Francis changes everything as Mark finds himself instantly calmed by the new man. The way in which Francis make Mark feel safe is beautifully written. After a hook-up, they end up in the same town together, setting off the fear of being outed, the need to hide, and the troubles that come when feelings get involved.
Both men are full of emotional pain. The depth of Mark's emotional pain and fear is astounding. The abuse he suffers from his toxic parents as they control too much of his life is maddening.
As for Francis, he's burdened by his past as well. I'm remaining vague here to not give anything away. I honestly wasn't expecting his past, and was impressed with the way it's developed.
The way that Francis recognizes Mark's submissive nature is fantastic, leading to some wonderful scenes.
The writing is superb, with two complex characters, an emotional storyline, and plenty to keep the reader invested. The author excels with creating the perfect small town feel, with helps drive this tale.
As for the meaning of the title, wow, just wow. It made me sick, had me crying, and I'm still in shock.
Thirteen has a tender sweetness that helps the reader deal with the seriousness of the storyline. It's an emotionally riveting tale of self acceptance and coming out, abundant with distinguishable character growth. And I absolutely love it and highly recommend it to everyone!
Read
April 9, 2023De retour à Acker avec Francis, l'ami de Padraig, le vétérinaire héros du tome précédent et Mark, l'agent de police dont l'homophobie était trop flagrante pour ne pas cacher quelque chose.
Une rencontre un soir par hasard, dans un bar éloigné d'Acker, un rapport vite expédié dans les toilettes et une alchimie qui se crée. Le hasard faisant bien les choses, les deux hommes se croisent très rapidement à Acker et Francis décide d'explorer ce qu'il a semblé déceler chez Mark, la tendance dominatrice de l'infirmier trouvant écho dans la personnalité dominé du policier.
Sur le principe, ça pouvait le faire. Sauf que je n'ai pas vraiment accroché au couple, je n'ai pas réussi à passer outre le fait que le jeune policier passe de la soumission devant la maltraitance de ses parents (qu'il arrive d'un coup à définir, comme une révélation devant le nombre de gays qui s'installent dans la ville - particulièrement tolérante pour une petite ville de province) à cette espèce de soumission devant Francis. Pareil pour l'infirmier d'ailleurs, son attachement pour son "boy" ne m'a pas convaincue, pas plus d'ailleurs que cette histoire de soi-disant harcèlement au départ.
J'ai eu plaisir par contre à retrouver les deux couples des tomes précédents mais celui-ci était, à mon sens, celui de trop, dommage.
Une rencontre un soir par hasard, dans un bar éloigné d'Acker, un rapport vite expédié dans les toilettes et une alchimie qui se crée. Le hasard faisant bien les choses, les deux hommes se croisent très rapidement à Acker et Francis décide d'explorer ce qu'il a semblé déceler chez Mark, la tendance dominatrice de l'infirmier trouvant écho dans la personnalité dominé du policier.
Sur le principe, ça pouvait le faire. Sauf que je n'ai pas vraiment accroché au couple, je n'ai pas réussi à passer outre le fait que le jeune policier passe de la soumission devant la maltraitance de ses parents (qu'il arrive d'un coup à définir, comme une révélation devant le nombre de gays qui s'installent dans la ville - particulièrement tolérante pour une petite ville de province) à cette espèce de soumission devant Francis. Pareil pour l'infirmier d'ailleurs, son attachement pour son "boy" ne m'a pas convaincue, pas plus d'ailleurs que cette histoire de soi-disant harcèlement au départ.
J'ai eu plaisir par contre à retrouver les deux couples des tomes précédents mais celui-ci était, à mon sens, celui de trop, dommage.
February 23, 2020
2.5/5
This book got a naive and antagonizing view on closet-cases and internalize homophobia. For a book that is supposed to be a dissection of these issues, its portrayed were too one-dimensional for me.
This book got a naive and antagonizing view on closet-cases and internalize homophobia. For a book that is supposed to be a dissection of these issues, its portrayed were too one-dimensional for me.
February 15, 2020
I will preface this by saying that BDSM, D/s, and medium/heavy kink is not my thing. However, I can appreciate writing and the story when all of that is approached right.
I enjoyed how the story included educational moments of that kind of lifestyle and/or sexual relationships. It did not come off as a lecture or anything, it fit the tone of the story. It was apparent that the author respected the need to be as accurate as possible. It was evident that the proper research had been done too. So many stories that feature BDSM elements do not handle it as accurately as it should be.
The necessity for communication and trust is a must-not just for intimacy purposes, but it is also for the need to establish safe power dynamics in extremely vulnerable moments. Tia Fielding really took the time to make sure that her characters did it right. I thought that was beautiful.
Additionally, the gradual shift in the characters’ relationship helped to flourish authentic chemistry between them both.
There were moments of almost cliche examples of bigots in terms of Mark’s parents, but the way it attached to how a person’s toxic childhood could ultimately result in PTSS was spot on.
All in all, I enjoyed the writing and was satisfied with the characters and their HEA.
*ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I enjoyed how the story included educational moments of that kind of lifestyle and/or sexual relationships. It did not come off as a lecture or anything, it fit the tone of the story. It was apparent that the author respected the need to be as accurate as possible. It was evident that the proper research had been done too. So many stories that feature BDSM elements do not handle it as accurately as it should be.
The necessity for communication and trust is a must-not just for intimacy purposes, but it is also for the need to establish safe power dynamics in extremely vulnerable moments. Tia Fielding really took the time to make sure that her characters did it right. I thought that was beautiful.
Additionally, the gradual shift in the characters’ relationship helped to flourish authentic chemistry between them both.
There were moments of almost cliche examples of bigots in terms of Mark’s parents, but the way it attached to how a person’s toxic childhood could ultimately result in PTSS was spot on.
All in all, I enjoyed the writing and was satisfied with the characters and their HEA.
*ARC in exchange for an honest review*
March 4, 2020
This is the third book in the Love by Numbers series. I really loved the first two books in the series. All of the characters in this series are complex, with compelling back stories. When I read the first two books in the series, I felt so drawn in. Unfortunately, I know the author has had some issues with her previous publisher, and had to pull this book from them and self-publish. And it could have used a more edited touch. There were the obvious typos, and an occasional wrong character name that took me out of the story. But more, it just didn't quite have the same overall polished feel that the other two books had in them. I rated it 4 stars, but I think my rating was only that high because my love of the first book in the series is so strong, it created a bias towards the series. You can self-publish and still have a really nicely edited book, and I hope if Tia Fielding continues to self-publish that she contracts a great editor.
February 18, 2020
Terrific series
I've been looking forward to reading this book, I just knew Mark was going to have a terrific story. I wasn't disappointed in the least. A painful story that is beautifully written. Especially the struggle with letting go of toxic parents. So hard to do, but so worth it.
I've been looking forward to reading this book, I just knew Mark was going to have a terrific story. I wasn't disappointed in the least. A painful story that is beautifully written. Especially the struggle with letting go of toxic parents. So hard to do, but so worth it.
May 16, 2020
I’d been waiting for Mark’s story since book one and had been wondering what his deal was. His deal had me wondering how to go about adopting a fictional character. Humph, I appreciated the slow healthy development their relationship was, and how each new detailed gave a clearer picture into how Mark had been such a hate-filled man that Francis and therapy was able to heal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2020
I would rate this 3.5 stars.
As the third book in the series, while you could skip the first one, I feel like you would need to read book two before this one. They function like a duology, being concurrent in the time line, layering in information that wasn't focused on during Padraig's and Emil's POV. This book focuses on what happens from Mark's and Francis's POV. As a nurse, Francis is a caring person and aches that Mark that has no support system, but he has to go back to New Jersey to deal with the fallout from his job and make decisions about his own future. He's certainly not going to out Mark. Seeing Francis's remembrances of Marcus helps give some of the depth I wanted in the second book.
This shows Mark's job with welfare checks, keeping an eye on the campgrounds, domestic violence, and helping at a fire for crowd control. Mark didn't want to study criminal justice, but it was one of the only subjects his parents would pay for, so I am left wondering if he ever wanted to be a cop or even likes his job. Getting Mark's POV was as awful as I thought it would be with his internalized homophobia. With Francis in the picture, he finally has a reason to try and work out his issues and starts talking informally to Evy, the town shrink. Of course the moment he starts doing the work to shake off his parent's influence, the more support he has if he can allow himself to ask for it. It's difficult to take a previously unliked character and make him sympathetic.
Francis has been in Acker before prior to Marcus's death, so he knows the townspeople. While that's convenient, by book three I should know and be more emotionally engaged with all the side characters than I was. Instead of building on that, eight new people get added to the mix, two of whom even knew Marcus and Padraig in N.J., but are still not as fleshed out as they could be. Charles and Henrietta are an older couple with health issues that live outside of town and need live-in help, creating a perfect job for Francis when he moves to the area. Thankfully, they are a welcome addition, adding some heartwarming moments.
Francis reads Mark in a way no one else has and takes charge. The loves scenes here are steamy, more frequent and more explicit than the previous books. With all of Mark's issues, this level of trust and sexual openness is not realistic so soon. I'm of several minds about the light D/s explored here...it works in book three, but there wasn't enough forshadowing so it looks like it wasn't plotted out beforehand. This plotline allows Mark to not have to be in charge of his pleasure, which could be a copout for someone with toxic masculinity. I have to say if Francis didn't make him give verbal consent the whole way, it wouldn't have worked for me at all. When Mark inadvertently triggers Francis, we don't get to see Francis work it out from his POV. I think this was to keep things low angst for the reader; it wasn't good enough for me. Knowing what happened and seeing a character's psychology are two different things. However, I was happy with the resolution of Mark's relationship with his parents. This is a happily ever after for all the friends and while I should have "all the feels," the same distance that keeps out the lows (angst), also keeps out the highs (joy).
As the third book in the series, while you could skip the first one, I feel like you would need to read book two before this one. They function like a duology, being concurrent in the time line, layering in information that wasn't focused on during Padraig's and Emil's POV. This book focuses on what happens from Mark's and Francis's POV. As a nurse, Francis is a caring person and aches that Mark that has no support system, but he has to go back to New Jersey to deal with the fallout from his job and make decisions about his own future. He's certainly not going to out Mark. Seeing Francis's remembrances of Marcus helps give some of the depth I wanted in the second book.
This shows Mark's job with welfare checks, keeping an eye on the campgrounds, domestic violence, and helping at a fire for crowd control. Mark didn't want to study criminal justice, but it was one of the only subjects his parents would pay for, so I am left wondering if he ever wanted to be a cop or even likes his job. Getting Mark's POV was as awful as I thought it would be with his internalized homophobia. With Francis in the picture, he finally has a reason to try and work out his issues and starts talking informally to Evy, the town shrink. Of course the moment he starts doing the work to shake off his parent's influence, the more support he has if he can allow himself to ask for it. It's difficult to take a previously unliked character and make him sympathetic.
Francis has been in Acker before prior to Marcus's death, so he knows the townspeople. While that's convenient, by book three I should know and be more emotionally engaged with all the side characters than I was. Instead of building on that, eight new people get added to the mix, two of whom even knew Marcus and Padraig in N.J., but are still not as fleshed out as they could be. Charles and Henrietta are an older couple with health issues that live outside of town and need live-in help, creating a perfect job for Francis when he moves to the area. Thankfully, they are a welcome addition, adding some heartwarming moments.
Francis reads Mark in a way no one else has and takes charge. The loves scenes here are steamy, more frequent and more explicit than the previous books. With all of Mark's issues, this level of trust and sexual openness is not realistic so soon. I'm of several minds about the light D/s explored here...it works in book three, but there wasn't enough forshadowing so it looks like it wasn't plotted out beforehand. This plotline allows Mark to not have to be in charge of his pleasure, which could be a copout for someone with toxic masculinity. I have to say if Francis didn't make him give verbal consent the whole way, it wouldn't have worked for me at all. When Mark inadvertently triggers Francis, we don't get to see Francis work it out from his POV. I think this was to keep things low angst for the reader; it wasn't good enough for me. Knowing what happened and seeing a character's psychology are two different things. However, I was happy with the resolution of Mark's relationship with his parents. This is a happily ever after for all the friends and while I should have "all the feels," the same distance that keeps out the lows (angst), also keeps out the highs (joy).
July 20, 2024
Con la lettura di Tredici credo di essere giunta alla conclusione di questa serie.
I personaggi di questo volume sono Mark, vice sceriffo che avevamo incontrato sia nel primo che nel secondo volume.
Emil aveva pronosticato bene su Mark, ma forse non sapeva né poteva immaginare cosa avesse subito il nostro vice sceriffo dai suoi stessi genitori.
Conoscere ciò che ha subito ci aiuta a capirlo e quindi a fare un passo indietro sui sentimenti negativi che avevamo su di lui.
Francis, amico di Padraig, è un infermiere che dopo anni vissuti nel New Jersey ora ha bisogno di cambiare e si reca ad Acker così da stare più vicino a Padraig.
Incontra Mark e da quel momento in poi tutto è in divenire, lui ha fantasmi da debellare e Mark ha anni di abusi verbali da far uscire fuori e imparare ad amare e ad essere amato.
Una storia che mi ha emozionata, ma anche scombussolata, soprattutto vedendo come i genitori consideravano il loro figlio Mark.
Quando leggo cose così aberranti mi viene il desiderio di rimproverare tutti quei genitori che non amano i figli come dovrebbero e li considerano inetti e inadeguati.
Un volume che non dovete assolutamente perdere.
Buona lettura e alla prossima
4 stelle e mezzo
I personaggi di questo volume sono Mark, vice sceriffo che avevamo incontrato sia nel primo che nel secondo volume.
Emil aveva pronosticato bene su Mark, ma forse non sapeva né poteva immaginare cosa avesse subito il nostro vice sceriffo dai suoi stessi genitori.
Conoscere ciò che ha subito ci aiuta a capirlo e quindi a fare un passo indietro sui sentimenti negativi che avevamo su di lui.
Francis, amico di Padraig, è un infermiere che dopo anni vissuti nel New Jersey ora ha bisogno di cambiare e si reca ad Acker così da stare più vicino a Padraig.
Incontra Mark e da quel momento in poi tutto è in divenire, lui ha fantasmi da debellare e Mark ha anni di abusi verbali da far uscire fuori e imparare ad amare e ad essere amato.
Una storia che mi ha emozionata, ma anche scombussolata, soprattutto vedendo come i genitori consideravano il loro figlio Mark.
Quando leggo cose così aberranti mi viene il desiderio di rimproverare tutti quei genitori che non amano i figli come dovrebbero e li considerano inetti e inadeguati.
Un volume che non dovete assolutamente perdere.
Buona lettura e alla prossima
4 stelle e mezzo
July 22, 2024
Con la lettura di Tredici credo di essere giunta alla conclusione di questa serie.
I personaggi di questo volume sono Mark, vice sceriffo che avevamo incontrato sia nel primo che nel secondo volume.
Emil aveva pronosticato bene su Mark, ma forse non sapeva né poteva immaginare cosa avesse subito il nostro vice sceriffo dai suoi stessi genitori.
Conoscere ciò che ha subito ci aiuta a capirlo e quindi a fare un passo indietro sui sentimenti negativi che avevamo su di lui.
Francis, amico di Padraig, è un infermiere che dopo anni vissuti nel New Jersey ora ha bisogno di cambiare e si reca ad Acker così da stare più vicino a Padraig.
Incontra Mark e da quel momento in poi tutto è in divenire, lui ha fantasmi da debellare e Mark ha anni di abusi verbali da far uscire fuori e imparare ad amare e ad essere amato.
Una storia che mi ha emozionata, ma anche scombussolata, soprattutto vedendo come i genitori consideravano il loro figlio Mark.
Quando leggo cose così aberranti mi viene il desiderio di rimproverare tutti quei genitori che non amano i figli come dovrebbero e li considerano inetti e inadeguati.
Un volume che non dovete assolutamente perdere.
Buona lettura e alla prossima
4 stelle e mezzo
I personaggi di questo volume sono Mark, vice sceriffo che avevamo incontrato sia nel primo che nel secondo volume.
Emil aveva pronosticato bene su Mark, ma forse non sapeva né poteva immaginare cosa avesse subito il nostro vice sceriffo dai suoi stessi genitori.
Conoscere ciò che ha subito ci aiuta a capirlo e quindi a fare un passo indietro sui sentimenti negativi che avevamo su di lui.
Francis, amico di Padraig, è un infermiere che dopo anni vissuti nel New Jersey ora ha bisogno di cambiare e si reca ad Acker così da stare più vicino a Padraig.
Incontra Mark e da quel momento in poi tutto è in divenire, lui ha fantasmi da debellare e Mark ha anni di abusi verbali da far uscire fuori e imparare ad amare e ad essere amato.
Una storia che mi ha emozionata, ma anche scombussolata, soprattutto vedendo come i genitori consideravano il loro figlio Mark.
Quando leggo cose così aberranti mi viene il desiderio di rimproverare tutti quei genitori che non amano i figli come dovrebbero e li considerano inetti e inadeguati.
Un volume che non dovete assolutamente perdere.
Buona lettura e alla prossima
4 stelle e mezzo
February 23, 2020
Barely 3 stars. Somehow this author doesn't work 100% for me. There's too much telling instead of showing and the characters are too flat at times for my liking.
Mark is an interesting character and I enjoyed huge parts of the story. I didn't really see why it had to go into light BDSM, but it didn't bother me much. I just felt like the way Mark changed and rearranged his life was too easy. Francis is just too nice and good. Their love is too easy seeing where Mark came from.
But I think that's my angst loving heart speaking.
Mark is an interesting character and I enjoyed huge parts of the story. I didn't really see why it had to go into light BDSM, but it didn't bother me much. I just felt like the way Mark changed and rearranged his life was too easy. Francis is just too nice and good. Their love is too easy seeing where Mark came from.
But I think that's my angst loving heart speaking.
February 14, 2020
As Tia promised i did find myself liking Mark a whole lot. Although i wish we knew more about his past what was revealed was done tastefully revealed. I really appreciated how we seen all the recent couples and had dialogues amongst the characters. Not only did mark make it up to the readers he also made up with the characters. The closing scene with Mark and Wren (ren?) was the cutest. I hope Mark and Francis have children and i hope we get to see more of them in future books
January 29, 2023
Who knew I would love Mark so much. I hated him in the first book but now I totally love him. And I love Francis so much, I love them both so much. And I love the entire LGBT community in this small town. I adore the Love by Numbers series and I wouldn't want it to ever end. I already miss them all.
Read
March 13, 20233.7 for me. Enjoyable, engaging, glad to be in the world created in the first in this series. Looking forward to the middle one (yeah oops read the 3rd one before the middle one). I liked the first one better but liked this one just fine.
May 29, 2024
Mi aspettavo di più da questo libro. Già solo il fatto che ci sia un po’ di bdsm non mi ha entusiasmato, poi i soprusi dei genitori di Mark mi hanno infastidita moltissimo. Francis nell’altro libro mi aveva colpita ma qui è stato strano, sembrava diverso
July 5, 2020
Man, Mark about killed me.
November 30, 2020
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews