This book is powerful, passionate and seductive yet there is also a compelling message about being true to yourself and following your passion no matter the obstacles. ~ Slick, Guilty Pleasures
Title: Beyond the Surface
Series: The Breakfast Club #1
Author: Felice Stevens
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: August 17, 2015
On 9/11, firefighter Nick Fletcher’s world changed forever. He’s unable to rid himself of survivor’s guilt, made worse by the secret he hides from his family and co-workers. Nick’s life is centered around helping burn victims, until he is reunited with the man he’d once loved but pushed away. Now he has a second chance at a love he thought lost forever.
For fashion designer Julian Cornell, appearances mean everything. His love affairs are strictly casual, and the only thing he cares about is making his clothing line a success. A chance encounter with the man he loved long ago has Julian thinking for the first time in years there may be more to life than being seen at the best parties and what designer labels to wear.
When Julian’s world takes an unexpected turn, it’s Nick who helps him regain perspective on what matters most in life. Julian, in turn, helps Nick accept who he is and understand he isn’t responsible for tragedies he couldn’t prevent. Lost love found can be even sweeter the second time around and after all the years apart, both men learn to look beyond the surface to find the men they are inside.
Review copy provided for an honest review
Author Felice Stevens continues to impress me with her latest release Beyond The Surface; a 
second chance at love story between a firefighter with survivor’s guilt following 9/11 and a fashion designer whose career is sidelined when his designs are stolen find common ground and a love they thought they’d lost forever. This book is powerful, passionate and seductive yet there is also a compelling message about being true to yourself and following your passion no matter the obstacles. From the first chapter to the last I was completely caught up in this story and could not put this book down.
Every day is a challenge for firefighter Nick Fletcher; while he’s thankful for his family and that he still has a career albeit not the one he once had he’s going through the motions of living life. He gets great satisfaction at helping the children in the burn unit at the hospital but he still is living a lie, one he’s afraid he’ll lose his family and friends over.
Julian Cornell feels this show will be the one that shoots his fashion design business into the stratosphere but when the reviews come out he realizes his designs were stolen and his business is now on the verge of ruin. Just when he doesn’t think this life could possibly get more complicated he is reunited with the man who broke his heart when he was in high school 18 years ago.
This was such an emotional story with Nick still suffering from PTSD after surviving 9/11 when the rest of his unit did not and Julian facing financial ruin. To top it off Julian is still out and proud and Nick is still firmly in the closet although he has accepted to himself he’s gay he’s never admitted it to another soul. There is a lot of past hurt between these two and their lives are very different but once they see each other again it becomes clear that those feelings they had as teenagers are still there and figuring out what to do with those feelings given what’s going on in their lives. Both men did some deep soul searching during this book; Julian reassesses the superficial life he’s been leading and Nick taking a good hard look at how not being true to himself affects more than just him. In addition Nick introducing Julian to a remarkable young man changes not only the course of his life but the lives of many.
Watching these two reconnect not only as friends but finally becoming lovers was beautiful. It was so obvious they both had missed one another and even though their connection was severed because Nick was scared they were able to move forward even given Julian’s worry his heart might get stomped on again and Nick’s worry that his secret would be discovered. I hurt for Nick as he made tough decisions and faced the worst of his fears which strangely had little to do with his PTSD but applauded him for making big changes in his life that not only made his life better but helped him to see that his life was better with each step that he took.
Secondary characters added so much to this story including all of Nick’s family and Julian’s best friends Marcus and Zach and his assistant. I think we are in for a very entertaining story when it’s Marcus turn and Zach…well, I think there is way more to Zach than meets the eye and I can’t wait!
Beautifully written with characters I not only want to be friends with but that I admire; Beyond the Surface is author Felice Stevens best work to date and a great start to a new series.
Julian was in the kitchen, sitting on one of the stools by the counter. He had a glass in front of him filled with what Nick presumed was vodka, having spied the Grey Goose bottle.
“Would you like a drink? I have beer, wine…anything you’d like.”
Nick shook his head, regret piercing his heart as he watched the hope drain from Julian’s eyes.
“I don’t think so. I’m going to head home. I want you to know how much I appreciate what you did for Jamal tonight.”
Julian stood abruptly, kicking the stool away from his feet.
“Don’t treat me like I’m some fucking stranger, Nicky. You owe me. It’s been eighteen years; you think I’m going to let you walk out on me again like you did before? After what just happened between us? After you fell apart? No fucking way. I’m not that same person and neither are you, obviously.”
Taken aback by Julian’s anger, Nick remained mute.
“What the hell is going on with you? One minute you’re tongue fucking me into the next century and the next you’re freaking out. I know I’m a damn good kisser, but this isn’t about us, is it? It has nothing to do with our past and everything to do with you and the shit that’s floating around in your head.”
Julian stepped closer to him and Nick, who normally couldn’t stand people near him, was rooted to the floor, unable to move.
“Talk to me, Nicky. Tell me what happened to you.”
He was so tired of holding himself together, feeling like at any moment he’d shatter into a million tiny pieces, leaving nothing behind but a pile of dust.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
The words poured out of him, flowing unchecked this time. “It should’ve been me. We all went to the Towers to save them. It was my day off, but I went anyway. I heard and couldn’t stay home; I had a duty to help, you know? But I lived and they all died. Why, Julian? Why did I live and they didn’t?”
“Oh, Nick.” Julian held him close. “I don’t have the answers for you. No one does. But I’m going to be completely selfish and say I’m so thankful you did make it and we’re here together after all these years.”
Unflinching green eyes gazed back at him. Clever, beautiful eyes that Nick could never stop dreaming of. Eyes that at one time had held the promise of forever, until Nick ruined everything with his cowardice and shame. Unable to maintain Julian’s scrutiny, Nick broke away and ran to the elevator, his chest heaving, eyes stinging with tears.
“Let me out. I need to leave here. NOW.”
I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending just around the corner. I started reading traditional historical romances when I was a teenager, then life and law school got in the way. It wasn’t until I picked up a copy of Bertrice Small and became swept away to Queen Elizabeth’s court that my interest in romance novels became renewed.
But somewhere along the way, my tastes shifted. While I still enjoys a juicy Historical romance, I began experimenting with newer, more cutting edge genres and discovered the world of Male/Male romance. Once I picked up her first, I became so enamored of the authors, the character-driven stories and the overwhelming emotion of the books, I knew I wanted to write my own.
I live in New York City with my husband and two children and hopefully soon a cat of my own. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there is bound to be angst along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.
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I’m so intrigued!
Thanks Slick for the review
Thanks for the review I am adding this to mt TBR list.