Blue Line

by Kim Henkel

Noah Lethem is twenty-nine years old and raising his troubled sister Hannah's two small children. Resigned to a life of permanent chaos, he has given up on romantic relationships. Then, when his neighbour Marcy encourages him to visit the local rec center for a pick-up game of floor hockey, he meets Dillon Greer. Though they are both interested in starting a relationship, Noah remains wary of shaking up the kids' lives. Of course, their lives might be shaken up anyway, if Hannah has her way and takes them away from the home they share with Noah to live with her new boyfriend. Now, Noah must learn to balance his new romance with his imperfect family or risk losing both.

Genres: M M Romance, Family, Contemporary, Hockey, Fiction, Gay, Romance

147 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 9, 2013

Reviews

[Gigi · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I did enjoy this story, I don't think I've ever read a book that suffered more from being too short than this one. It had so much potential to be great, but was never given enough time to get off the ground. The author skipped over the first 2 weeks of the 2 MCs relationship, which were critical to the storyline, and instead gave us a quarter page summary. This gave their relationship a very rushed feeling and because of that, I never felt the bond. I mentioned in my comments that this book gave me a "Shelter" vibe, referring to the fantastic 2007 movie Shelter, but the plot premise is where the similarities end.

Ms. Henkel may be able to salvage this book with a sequel, but it might just be too late. Unfortunately, I just cannot recommend it as it is currently presented, even though I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the plot premise.

I really hate giving out 2 stars, but I just couldn't justify giving it 3. I was too disappointed.

[Heller · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

This depressed me. It was a good read and characters had nice chemistry. I couldn't really get a handle on Dillon though and his POV would have helped. I just couldn't help but feel horrible for Noah's situation and he just seemed so exhausted by it all. Things start to pick up in the latter half of the book but this was a sad read for me even with the glimmer of hope near the end.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really, really good first effort by an author by whom I had not seen anything else published. I really felt for Noah's predicament. If I had a small complaint it would be that Dillon got through Noah's defenses too quickly, but after being alone so long, maybe he was low-hanging fruit (don't be all pervy when you read that phrase)! There were enough threads left to form a great sequel and I hope we get one.

[Dallison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Details. This book should have been excellent. I liked Noah and Dillon. What killed it for me was when Noah and the kids had Thanksgiving dinner and a couple of weeks later Dillon took them to the pumpkin patch to get a pumpkin for Halloween. DETAILS!!!

[Cathy Brockman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noah is raising his sister’s kids and her most of the time. He has put his life on hold to do this. His best friend and babysitter is concerned for him and insists he take a night to himself if it’s just to go play hockey There he meets Dillon and though he is very interested he is sure that the man wouldn’t be interested in the baggage of his life.
This is such a lovely sweet story. Though it has some sadness and a bit of suspense it is still a sweet loving story. I couldn’t put it down. It’s one of those story’s that makes you sigh and wish you could find a man like either Noah or Dillon or both! I highly recommend this one!
Recommendations: If you like men raising family’s children, sweet story with some angst, true love, hot sensual sex, not explicit sex, a great story, this one is for you!

[Becky Condit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue Line by Kim Henkel is the unfortunately all too realistic story of a man forced to take care of everyone's needs except his own. The blurb covers the basics and to add anything more would be a spoiler. This character driven story, with a seamlessly smooth plot flow, tells the heartbreaking, but all too real tale of a man forced to support and take care of his niece and nephew because their drug addicted mother can't be bothered with the responsiblity. The author's style of writing is crisp, clean,and pulls no punches in portraying the pain, disappointment, pure exhaustion, and the heartbreaking effects that drugs can have on not only the addict, but on their loved ones as well.

See Trish's complete 4 1/2 sweet pea review on May 3, 2013 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noah has been the caregiver and doesn't really have anything left for himself. But when Dillion is suddenly there and willing to participate in every aspect of Noah's crazy life baggage and all it is a wonderful moment.

[Mandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars. The characters celebrate Thanksgiving and THEN go to a pumpkin patch to get a pumpkin for Halloween. Ummm...no. After that, I had a little niggle in my mind about the mistake and it basically
ruined the rest of the book for me. Such an easy thing to fix! I can handle minor editing mistakes, but overlooking something like that just reflects poorly on the publisher. Add in the fact the whole relationship was glossed over and the ending was left pretty open (what is going to happen to the kids?), I just can't rate this any higher. Which stinks, because it had the potential to be really good.


ETA - I've been informed that Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving before Halloween (*face palm* I never knew this!), so that makes a bit more sense to me now. Though my rating still stands because of the glossed over relationship.

[Alex Mar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet read, which I have a soft spot for. The romance isn't the explosive kind, but it's this nice curl of warmth that makes you smile. The story deals with serious issues - the relationship between Noah and Hannah just broke my heart. Kim Henkel has portrayed a rather realistic view of what it's like to have that fight between love and thinking 'just one more chance' and the reality that is drug addiction and the heart break that comes with it.

My only complaint is, I wish it had been longer. Am hoping to find out how it all turned out for Noah and Dillon and the kids in a future story :) I'd definitely pick it up ♥

[P · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm kinda sick of the meddling but well meaning best friend type of plot device. It bugs the hell out of me. Why can't the MC say 'NO' or tell the friend to f off and butt the hell out? It's used far to often.

The relationship between the MCs was mostly glossed over we were told about it rather than shown it. And I actually think the kids going with their mother was mostly Dillon's fault, he wanted sex so he said about the mother taking them out when he knew the child could hear him so Noah would have to agree. (He still should have said no) He was a bit of a pushover.

[Meggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked how this story began, it was well written and pulling, but the way it developed till the end felt rushed and didn't seem right. I didn't like it anyway. This story has a potential for been a great novel, but what we got here is just undeveloped rushed work. The way it ends its totally unsatisfying, at least for me.

[Cee Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noah was taking care of his sister's kids when he met Dillion, by way of nosey friends.
The storyline captured my attention, and held me. It involved everyone and gave those sweet kids their own drama.
Will read this again.

[Snowtulip · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story and the characters but it was way to short!

[Dena · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*

[Trisha Harrington · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, this book was okay, but I found it rather boring to be honest.