The Balcony Boys - Ian O. Lewis

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Résumé :

The Balcony Boys duet is available in one volume for the first time.

Situationship

On paper, Tanner Beckwith has had a stellar existence. A musician in demand, he's traveled the globe with famous pop stars and has performed for hundreds of thousands of people. But underneath his success lies a well of loneliness so deep he can't imagine ever escaping the darkness he hides. When he is fired from a famous diva's tour because of her handsy husband, he decides to head home, ending almost six years of non-stop performing. His beloved aunt takes him in, giving him a roof over his head and work to distract him from his inner turmoil. Then, he encounters the one man he's ever loved, his former best friend who rejected him years ago. Griffin is the only man who has ever made him crazy, and now he is living next door, with a muscle-bound boyfriend by his side. Can Tanner get past his deeper feelings and resume the friendship he and Griffin once shared, or will his heart get broken again?

Griffin Cartwright has fought for his emotional life from day one. Being brought up in an ultra-conservative religious family, he has had no choices other than the ones being laid out for him by a strict father who demands perfection from his only child. When his best friend in the world bares his soul about his feelings, he rejects him, afraid of the love he feels for Tanner, and of being rejected by his family. Years later, after coming to grips with his sexuality, he is confronted with his teenage crush, who once was his only friend in the world.

Currently involved with another man, the most Griffin can hope for is Tanner's forgiveness for ending their friendship years ago. But, seeing Tanner every single day is igniting emotions he's long suppressed, and no longer wants to fight.

Max

No one has ever told Max that happiness is an option.

Everyone that knows Max thinks he is a great guy. He takes care of his family, goes to church most Sundays, and puts the needs of everyone else above his own. Max has a group of friends who rely on him, and he's always willing to pitch in when someone asks him for help. In fact, he structures his life to avoid thinking about himself at all.

His family and friends are constantly badgering him to settle down. They point out that his siblings are all married, and some even have kids. But, whenever Max goes looking for love, his social awkwardness kicks in, so he reluctantly accepts the fact that he's a confirmed bachelor.

All that changes when he meets Jude, a shy biology teacher he finds crying on a rooftop, after he is dumped by his date at a party. They spend the rest of the evening together, and for the first time Max can recall, he feels optimistic about his future.

Unfortunately, what he desires and what his family and friends want are two different things. On the surface, they pick on him for not finding a mate. But, when he finally does meet the man of his dreams, will they be willing to let Max experience true happiness for the first time in his life?

At the corner of Robinson Street and Monument Avenue in Richmond, Virginia is an old apartment building filled with broken hearts and wistful dreams. Max is the second novel in the Balcony Boys duet that features an eccentric landlady and a cast of wonderful characters.