I enjoyed this sweet story. It was not quite a four star read because I felt that the pace was off. Tommy's innocence was a tough to believe especially never being kissed romantically before. He also read as much younger than nineteen at times. Something was just off. I loved Caroline and the guys at Woofs. Unlike often readers, the porn career secret did not bother me. I could easily see both sides of the problem. Both Mike and Tommy had secrets. I could have done without the last three pages but that's a personal thing for me. ( )

First times are special, and Tommy and Mike's story shows that in more than one way. Both men are fascinating characters with many layers, multiple secrets, and sometimes painful pasts. I thought it was pretty special that they share Tommy's "first time", but what made it extra special is that much of what happens is Mike's first time well. Not physically, but emotionally. And for me, this books was all about showing the power of emotions - both good and bad - in a relationship that is anything but ordinary. Kudos to KC Wells for capturing the essence of those feelings in this novel and making it possible for me to follow and share them.

Tommy is young, enthusiastic about going to college, full of love for his family, and an optimist. He has known he is gay for a while, and living away from his very religious parents for the first time opens his eyes. But when he decides to do the right thing and tell his parents the truth, certain that they love him enough to deal with the fact that he is gay, he is bitterly disappointed. Given the choice of going into reparative therapy or leaving home forever, he stands up for himself and his principles, and leaves home. Luckily his dorm mate Ben and his family are there to take him in, but it's still a shock. This is only the first time Tommy stays true to his principles, and I really admired him for being so steadfast.

Mike is a twenty-year veteran of the gay porn industry and still very popular. He has had thoughts of giving it all up since things are changing in a direction he does not like, but it's familiar territory and the few shoots he goes on each month make him more money than his job as a bartender. But when he meets Tommy in the bar he works at, the quiet, shy young man gets under his skin. The night Tommy asks him to be his first changes everything, and Mike begins a journey that is only partly familiar. None of the - unsuccessful - relationships he has been in before have prepared him for getting to know Tommy. It takes Mike a very long time to figure things out, and when he does he has a decision to make that will change his and Tommy's lives at least as much as Tommy's decision to offer his virginity to Mike.

If you like powerful stories that will move you deeply, if you want to know more about a gay porn star's life and the way he sees his job, and if you're looking for a read that is as hot as it is sweet, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. I loved every minute of it, painful twists and turns included, and won't soon forget Tommy and Mike. They both stole my heart!


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review. ( )