Title: Equality
Author: Helena Stone
Series: Dublin Virtues #2
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: May 23, 2017
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Summary:Love is love. But what if the fight for equality gets in the way of building a relationship?
Lorcan Barratt has never considered himself relationship material. After his parents made it perfectly clear they’d never welcome a partner of his into their home, he learned to love his own company and can’t imagine sharing his life with another. After a single passionate kiss with Eric Kavanagh—the night before he travels to Canada for three months—Lorcan’s no longer sure he wants to be on his own. The problem is, he has no idea what sharing his life with someone else might entail.
Eric Kavanagh grew up in a loving and supportive family and always assumed he’d end up in a committed relationship. Sure that he’s found the one, Eric doesn’t worry about the fact that Lorcan has no experience when it comes to love and relationships. They are good together, so what could possibly go wrong?
When both men get involved in the marriage equality referendum in Ireland, it appears to bring them even closer together until Lorcan’s insecurities get the upper hand and he shuts Eric out. Will the fight for a yes-vote cost them their relationship or will they be able to find a balance between the love they share and the need for equality?
I have been looking forward to reading Eric and Lorcan's story ever since they met when their best friends, Zander and Troy met in Patience. Boy, did Helena Stone deliver! Set with the backdrop of the Yes Referendum for marriage equality in Ireland, Eric and Lorcan try to balance dating, family, and well equality.
As a heterosexual woman I have no idea what it is like to come out to one's family and having a close loving relationship with my parents I can't imagine what it feels like to have them turn on you either but I would think that to face what Lorcan does could be so trying. To have them basically say "okay but don't bring it to our door", I can't imagine the lack of hope and support he feels so when his grandmother steps up and supports him at a family dinner made me smile and cry happy tears and showed Lorcan that perhaps not all hope is lost. Having said that, the author really conveys Lorcan's fears throughout, even if you want to shake him and tell him to open up to Eric.
I just love this series so far and I love how the equality is not just about marriage, gay and straight, but also between Eric and Lorcan. Lorcan is in a relationship for the first time in his life so for him to balance what he's always done alone with Eric is also a battle. Like in Patience, you just might walk away with a little new insight about yourself as well as enjoyed a lovely work of fiction as you follow Lorcan's journey.
RATING:
I'm going to jump right out of the gate and say what a lovely story Patience is, realistic and beautiful. Now, as any one who is familiar with my reviews knows that I don't do spoilers. Having said all that, Xander and Troy could have saved themselves quite a bit of time and stress had they been more upfront with each other from the get go. Sometimes stories with misunderstandings, miscommunication, or lack thereof, make the reader just want to scream and shake their ereader but not Patience. Let's face it, if there was no drama then you would be reading a 10 page leaflet instead of a full length novel and where is the fun in that? But Patience is much more than just drama caused from miscommunication, there is a clear reason why both Xander and Troy haven't divulged everything to each other, but those reasons you'll have to discover for yourself.
Along with the budding romance between Xander and Troy, I loved the true bromances both men have with their lifelong friends, Eric and Lorcan. Helena Stone has created a journey that blends the title, the reasoning behind it, and interesting characters that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last. You might actually even discover something about yourself as you ride along with Xander and Troy in their quest for a healthy future that all began with a little tattoo.
Helena Stone is a new author for me and after just one story I'm already looking forward to more, beginning with Equality, Dublin Virtues book 2 which follows Eric and Lorcan. She is definitely an author I'll keep on my radar.
RATING:
Helena Stone can’t remember a life before words and reading. After growing up in a household where no holiday or festivity was complete without at least one new book, it’s hardly surprising she now owns more books than shelf space while her Kindle is about to explode.
The urge to write came as a surprise. The realisation that people might enjoy her words was a shock to say the least. Now that the writing bug has well and truly taken hold, Helena can no longer imagine not sharing the characters in her head and heart with the rest of the world.
Having left the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam for the peace and quiet of the Irish Country side she divides her time between reading, writing, long and often wet walks with the dog, her part-time job in a library, a grown-up daughter and her ever loving and patient husband.
WEBSITE / BLOG / GOOGLE PLAY / B&N
EMAIL: helenastoneauthor@gmail.com
Equality #2
Patience #1
Renewal #3(Coming June 20, 2017)
May 23 - The Novel Approach
May 25 - Urban Smoothie Read, BooksLaidBareBoys, Dreams and Screams Bookaholics, Book Lovers 4Ever, Booklove
May 27 - Diverse Reader
May 29 - Joyfully Jay, Sexy Erotic Xciting, M/M Book Addicts, Keysmash, Making It Happen, MM Good Book Reviews
May 31 - The Geekery Book Review, Padme's Library, Sarandipity Book Reviews, Bonkers About Books, Bayou Book Junkie, Reading Is Our Satisfaction, Dog-Eared Daydreams, Foxylutely Books, Jim's Reading Room
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