The Glasshouse (Lavender Shores Book 6) by Rosalind Abel #Audio #Review #LGBT #NewRelease #MM

Erryn reviews The Glasshouse (Lavender Shores Book 6) by Rosalind Abel (Published by Wings of Ink Publications, April 1, 2018, 323 pages) the audio was released May 28, 2019, is 9hrs and 27 mins and is narrated by Kirt Graves. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

To read the review for The Palisade (Lavender Shores Book 1) click here.
To read the review for The Garden (Lavender Shores Book 2) click here.
To read the review of The Veranda (Lavender Shores Book 3) click here.
To read the review for The Shipwreck (Lavender Shores Book 4) click here.
To read the review of The Hideaway (Lavender Shores Book 5) click here.
To read the review of The Glasshouse (Lavender Shores Book 6) click here.
To read the review of The Alcove (Lavender Shores Book 7) click here.
To read the review of The Wilderness (Lavender Shores Book 8) click here.
To read the review of The Victorian (Lavender Shores Book 9) click here.
To read the review for The Garden Audiobook (Lavender Shores Book 2) click here.
To read the review of The Veranda Audiobook (Lavender Shores Book 3) click here
To read the review of The Shipwreck Audiobook (Lavender Shores Book 4) click here
To read the review of The Hideaway Audiobook (Lavender Shores Book 5) click here.

Adrian Rivera lives as he damn well pleases, defying his Lavender Shores family to spend his days farming the beautiful Northern California land. Not one to daydream of true love and romance, Adrian’s social life has always been filled with sex and plenty of good times.

Harrison Getty went from NFL star quarterback to America’s gay heartthrob, to reality TV star—with his wedding day broadcast live on national television. But Harrison feels trapped in a Hollywood life dictated by others. To breathe again, he runs from it all …

Adrian’s attraction to Harrison has been building for months—even as Harrison prepared to marry another man. Lightning strikes between them, stirring emotions and passions as Adrian finds “the one,” a love that’s meant to be. But can Harrison stop running long enough to know his own heart?

Amid scandals and betrayals, Adrian and Harrison struggle to grow their new love even as life’s storms threaten to shatter it all.

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My review:

Every time I come back to Lavender Shores, it’s magical. As Harrison Getty says, “Lavender Shores was Belle’s village from Beauty and the Beast.” Harrison came to Lavender Shores after his NFL career ended with a devastating injury. He’d also been outed as gay when a video of him at a gay nightclub, grinding against other men, became a YouTube sensation. Needing to escape Tennessee and his father’s disappointment, Harrison joined his brother Jasper who had set up a bookstore in the gay-friendly town. In time Harrison healed and even eventually met and fell in love with the son of one of Lavender Shore’s founding families. Believing he’d found everything he’d ever wanted, he agreed to star in a reality television show so he could share his good fortune. Be a role model for other gay kids who didn’t believe they could have their happy ending.

The live streaming finale of the show ends spectacularly when Harrison runs away, leaving his groom literally at the altar. Although his reasons were clear, I did feel some sympathy for the man he abandoned. As more and more was revealed about the relationship, it was clear it was destined for failure and I was proud Harrison did the hard thing and walked away. The runaway bride is one of my favorite tropes and I’m glad Ms. Abel turned it on its head. After running away, it leaves Harrison holed up at his brother Jasper’s place, trying to avoid the cameras and the glare of celebrity.

Oh, and he has one more little problem. He kissed another man on his wedding day. Adrian Rivera was there to be supportive and the kiss was unexpected. Now Harrison feels he has to set things right and he searches out Adrian. Adrian is the son of a founding family and instead of choosing an illustrious career in medicine, he’s a farmer. He loves communing with the land and providing fresh produce for the inhabitants of Lavender Shores. It’s a noble profession and something his mother looks down on him for doing.

When Harrison finds Adrian, he’s out in a field. Nearby is the glasshouse. A storm descends and then men take shelter. And…well, let’s just say the storm outside wasn’t the only interesting thing going on in that field. Harrison and Adrian are now bound in a way that intimacy brings and both aren’t sure how they feel about it. They thought they were alone but it turns out they were spotted and more chaos ensues. When the subject of the glass house comes up again, Adrian says to Harrison:

“I wasn’t sure about it. We hadn’t even been aware it was here when we bought the land. It’s broken down and in the way. Micah thought we should keep it, for some reason.” I shook my head. “But after the other day, all the pain it’s already caused you, I decided to tear the fucker down. Although I’m glad I hadn’t started the process so that we can send it out in style.”

He blinked and returned to staring at the glasshouse. He looked unbelievably sad.

“What is it?” I walked back to him but didn’t touch.

“I don’t know exactly.” He shrugged. “I think it’s beautiful, or at least it could be. And I know the video was an unexpected complication, but I’ll always treasure what we did here. What we started here.”

I studied him, both touched by his sentiment and trying to understand why he would feel so strongly. I discovered that there was nothing I wouldn’t do to keep that expression from being on his face. “Well, then, that settles it. It stays.”

That video is the second sex tape and although Harrison and Adrian had no way to know they were being taped, it really isn’t Harrison’s lucky day. Although their relationship has started unconventionally, there is attraction there. And genuine caring. They’ve been friends for more than a year and although Adrian recognized he had feelings sooner than Harrison did, the other man does eventually catch up.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop and Harrison’s surprise trip to San Francisco was the highlight of the book. In the end, though, Harrison feels he can’t breathe. He can’t escape the attention and everyone else’s expectations. In the end, he runs.

The symbolism in this book wasn’t lost on me. Adrian is already authentic in how he lives but it’s Harrison who has the most growing to do. That growth happens along with the vegetables and flowers. In the end, Harrison figures out who he is and he finds his place in the world. It was a bumpy ride but I was happy he made it eventually and that Adrian was the person with whom he built a home.

Kirt Graves is the narrator for this series and I was thrilled he was back. He’s incredibly talented and always provides a consistent performance. His voice for Celestia was especially perfect. I loved the book when I read it and I loved the audio even more.

My rating:

10/10 pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars

Website | Facebook | Twitter: @rosalind_abel | Goodreads

Rosalind Abel grew up tending chickens alongside her sweet and faithful Chow, Lord Elgin. While her fantasy of writing novels was born during her teen years, she never would have dreamed she’d one day publish steamy romances about gorgeous men. However, sometimes life turns out better than planned.

In between crafting scorching sex scenes and helping her men find their soul mate, Rosalind enjoys cooking, collecting toys, and making the best damn scrapbooks in the world (this claim hasn’t been proven, but she’s willing to put good money on it).

She adores MM Romance and the power it has to sweep the reader away into worlds filled with passion, steam, and love. Rosalind also enjoys her collection of plot bunnies, and welcomes new fuzzy ones in her home all the time, so feel free to send any adorable ones her way.