Wednesday, March 16, 2016

[ARC Review]: "Love Me Like A Rock"

Love Me Like a Rock by Amy Jo Cousins
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (March 22, 2016)
Series: Bend or Break, 6
Genre: M/M Romance -- New Adult

In art and in love, it s the rough edges that make things interesting.

Having grown up with artistic implements always in hand, there's almost nothing Austin can't make real. Except for one thing—an official relationship with his best friend, rowing teammate and occasional hookup, Vinnie.

The combination of emotional and sexual frustration fuels a spark between Austin and the nude model in his drawing class. Austin isn't used to having trouble focusing; models are merely challenging subjects to be rendered on paper. But the geology TA's direct blue gaze is powerful enough to drag Austin's focus away from his physique.

After a quick and very dirty post-class encounter, all the reasons that Austin has been waiting for his best friend go fuzzy in his mind. Sean is nothing like Vinnie. Sean is persistent, pays attention, and makes it clear he wants to be together.

But if Austin can't get his head and his heart on the same page, he could lose his friend, or his lover. Or both.

Warning: Contains rock geeks, tent sex, a dictatorial cox whose idea of a good time is drawing naked dudes, plus one naked dude who wants to be more than a good time.



Where to Buy*:
More Info:

Reviews of Cousins's Previous Novels:

Off Campus (#1) -- TBQ
Nothing Like Paris (#2) -- TBQ
The Girl Next Door (#3) -- TBQ
Level Hands (#4) -- TBQ
Real World (#5) -- TBQ


My Review:



"I don't think we make decisions about who we want because there are rational, logical reasons why it would be better to be with one person than another. That's not how it works. Sometimes we want people who are shitty for us."



For years, Austin and Vinnie have had a bit of a shitty friends with benefits relationship going on. Austin's been waiting for Vinnie to see him as something more than an old friend and regular fuck-buddy. But when Austin sees Sean in his nude painting class (Sean's the model that night), Austin begins to question everything. He deserves more than what Vinnie's given him, and vice versa. Can Sean be the one to give him everything he's ever wanted?




"That is, like, the hottest thing ever."

"What is?"

"How much you want me?" His voice rose at the end of that sentence without Austin's permission, making him sound tentative when he was shooting for sex god.

Sean laughed, mouth splitting that dark red scruff, white teeth all sexy shining, and pulled Austin forward until their dicks lined up through his jeans. Austin fell forward and let his arms brace against Sean's shoulders, smiling down at him until he had to bite his lip to stop it. The massage oil reeked of tea tree oil -- and it was going to be all over Sean's sheets -- which was now going to be permanently wired to trip his need-to-fuck switch, along with the peppermint. 

"So much," Sean groaned as he rolled his hips, mashing them together. "I want you so much. All the time." 

Being wanted was definitely Austin's new favorite thing.



I adore Amy Jo Cousins' books, and that adoration continues with Love Me Like a Rock. Once again Cousins has created lovable characters, steamy scenes, and fun moments that any reader will love.




"Stop it." 

Austin shook his head, confused. "Stop what?"

"Stop staring at me," Sean muttered, mock-glaring at him with narrowed eyes. "You're making me hard and I'm starting to forget the fucking words to the songs."

Which only made Austin stare harder, of course. Stare harder and lick his lips, pausing to chew on the bottom one, suck it in between his teeth and let it pop out again, until he knew his mouth was pink and wet.

He was pretty sure the original version of "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover" didn't include "Jesus fucking Christ" in the chorus.



From the moment they locked eyes in the painting class, the chemistry burned bright and hot between them. And Cousins does a fantastic job at writing not only hot sex but also hot tension leading up to it all.




"Please please please..." The stream of words pouring from his mouth should have been embarrassing. Begging carried with it a vulnerability he didn't usually allow himself if he wasn't sure of the man in his bed.

But somehow there was no doubt with Sean. And begging was easy and playful, because he knew nothing was going to be withheld and every sound he made was as much of a turn-on for Sean as it had been for Austin with his mouth on Sean's cock.



There's also moments that will make the reader smile. The camping scene involving crap holes had me laughing and smirking at my Kindle. I'm sure it earned me a few odd looks from people around me at the time, but who cares? Totally worth it.




Sean snagged his hand and began swiping at the smear with a wet wipe he'd also pulled out of his pack o' wonders.

"You really do make a mess, don't you?" Sean asked, tucking the corner of his mouth back like he was trying not to smile.

"Pretty much always," Austin admitted, shading his eyes with his free hand as he looked up. The sun shinning through the edges of Sean's beard lit it on golden fire.

"Good thing I'm not afraid of a little mess."

And Austin wasn't sure they were talking anymore about the stuff he'd managed to smear halfway up his arms while working, because the softness of Sean's mouth was making Austin's chest feel funny.



Once again, I highly recommend this entire series. I have loved meeting each couple. Love Me Like a Rock was a fun and sexy read, and could be read as a standalone without any major issues. I loved Austin and Sean. On to Vinnie's story!


4 STARS! 


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I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion.

*Note: The quotes used belong to Amy Jo Cousins; TBQ's Book Palace does not claim them. Any mistakes or typos in the quotes are my own fault.

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*happy sigh* That is all. Really, you should be reading this series. Trust me.



Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


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  *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

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