‘Helping Hand’ by Jay Northcote #LGBT #Review

‘Helping Hand’ was published on June 24th, 2015.  Self-published. 97 pages.

Why I read this book: I am a big fan of Jay’s book so when we had the chance to read this I gladly took it.

We were provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Jez Fielding and James MacKenzie—Big Mac to his mates—are in their second year at uni. After partying too hard last year, they make a pact to rein themselves in. While their housemates are out drinking every weekend, Jez and Mac stay in to save cash and focus on their studies.

When Jez suggests watching some porn together, he isn’t expecting Mac to agree to it. One thing leads to another, and soon their arrangement becomes hands-on rather than hands-off. But falling for your straight friend can only end badly, unless there’s a chance he might feel the same.

 

 

 

 

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Okay, I will admit that after I read the blurb I thought I would be reading a lot of sex with very little feelings.  Oh, how wrong I was.  This short story had depth that some 200+ page books lack.

Like I said before, I am a big Jay fan so I was certain that I would love this book.  And I was shocked at how much this book made me feel.  I was in a book funk, unsure what I wanted to read, knowing that it needed to be light, fun, hot and low on angst.  It was delivered ten fold with this book.  I am still surprised at how much emotion, and feeling that Jay can put in one 97 page short story.  But she does, time and time again.

So thinking I was getting nothing but a sexy story, I was shocked buy the way it grabbed my heart and refused to let me go till then very end.  Jez and James, aka Big Mac were absolutely awesome together.  Friends before anything exploring something that for one was no big deal.  But for the other it was completely out of his comfort zone.

I will say it again because it bares repeating, this story has an actual plot, it is not just sex scene after sex scene.  Yes there is sex in this book but it goes right along with a story.  A story about two friends falling for each other, trying to navigate something so new to the both of them.  Feelings for another man.  Oh, I just love a gay for you book, almost as much as the mc finally discovering that it wasn’t just a one time thing, that yes, he really is gay or in this case bisexual.  But I don’t think I want to label this book as any of those.

Its more about two people figuring out how to navigate passion, and eventually love for someone that society has told them was wrong.   It was beautiful with just the right amount of angst to get me on the seat of my chair.  I am so glad I was able to read this for review.  It is one that I know I will reread when I need a hug from a book.  It is one that I highly recommend if you are looking for something short, with a wonderful message that labels should never matter when it comes to love.

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Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England, with her husband, two children, and two cats.

Jay comes from a family of writers, but she always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed her by. She spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content. One day, she decided to try and write a short story-just to see if she could-and found it rather addictive. She hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary gay romance, usually set in or near her home town of Bristol. She enjoys the challenge of bringing the men in her head to life through her words.

Web: http://www.jaynorthcote.com
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