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Peachtree #1
Trust the Connection
Scars run deep but love runs even deeper.
Forced out of the closet and the only home he’s ever known, twenty-year-old Evan Harris makes a desperate phone call to virtual strangers who offer him refuge in Atlanta.
Physically and emotionally scarred from a devastating car accident, thirty-six-year-old Jeremy Lewis struggles to reconcile the popular, outgoing man he used to be with the recluse he’s become.
Resigned to being alone, Jeremy is shocked to realize the shy young man has gotten under his skin, and Evan is too unsure of himself to go after what he a relationship.
Loneliness draws them together, but Jeremy is afraid he’s holding Evan back from the life he deserves.
The scars of their pasts will force them to battle their insecurities and fight for a love that will help heal both their wounds.
Forced out of the closet and the only home he’s ever known, twenty-year-old Evan Harris makes a desperate phone call to virtual strangers who offer him refuge in Atlanta.
Physically and emotionally scarred from a devastating car accident, thirty-six-year-old Jeremy Lewis struggles to reconcile the popular, outgoing man he used to be with the recluse he’s become.
Resigned to being alone, Jeremy is shocked to realize the shy young man has gotten under his skin, and Evan is too unsure of himself to go after what he a relationship.
Loneliness draws them together, but Jeremy is afraid he’s holding Evan back from the life he deserves.
The scars of their pasts will force them to battle their insecurities and fight for a love that will help heal both their wounds.
560 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2016
About the author
Brigham Vaughn
65 books524 followersBrigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time writer. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 10, 2019
The author asked me to read and review this book.
Trust The Connection is a combination of the books Connection and Trust, which were previously published.
Evan Harris, 21 and gay, works in a small funeral home owned by his uncle in his small hometown. Despite having been told he's useless for pretty much all of his life, he's good at his job and has ambitions, but also realizes that to continue the life he knows, he will have to stay in the closet. Until he's found out and kicked out of his home, with no place to go, that was his plan.
Evan makes a call to Russ (from the Equals series) in Atlanta, and Russ doesn't hesitate to help Evan. He and his partner Stephen move Evan into their home as a stop-gap, while Evan quickly works to find himself a job and a place to live. He's shy and introverted, and has little interest in one-night stands; he'd rather find someone for a relationship.
Jeremy Lewis has at 36 lived for many years as a recluse; an accident when he was much younger that left him scarred and with some physical limitations has turned him into someone who hides himself away, not wanting to see pity in people's eyes, and someone who thinks he's not worthy of love anymore. He's also Stephen's ex. Their relationship didn't end well, due to some intentional miscommunication on the part of Jeremy's parents, and they didn't get the closure they deserved.
Evan and Jeremy meet at around 1/4 into the book. Both men are broken in their own way and have both established their own way of dealing with things life has thrown at them, even if those ways don't exactly match up. Where Evan hasn't lost hope, and stands up for what he believes, Jeremy seems stuck in the past and has a rather off-putting woe-is-me attitude for some time. It takes him getting a strong wake-up call to finally rejoin the land of the living, so to speak. At first, theirs is a dance of hesitation, as neither can believe the other would be interested - it would have been comical, if it hadn't been so sad to watch their battered self-esteem prevent them from giving in to their mutual attraction.
This is a rather long book and might benefit from tightening the narrative a bit more to remove some of the more minute details, but the author did a fine job keeping me interested and making the story flow really well. The two main characters begin dating and slowly trusting each other, even if Jeremy thinks for a while that he has nothing to offer the much younger Evan. There are many emotional scenes throughout the book, and the author really drew me in - making me care about the characters and cheering them on. Love is not the magical cure-all, and the relationship was not an easy one - it couldn't be, not with their combined baggage - but Evan and Jeremy communicated honestly, discussed their hopes and dreams, their wants and needs, their personal hang-ups, and built a strong foundation for lasting love. They also had a small group of friends who supported them and became their family.
With crisp, realistic dialogue, and a mostly tight narrative, the book is told in dual 3rd person POV, which worked for me, as both Evan and Jeremy have a distinctive voice - there was never any question as to who was telling any given part of the story. The characters were complex, flawed, and relatable. The intimate scenes were well done and not superfluous or gratuitous - something I always appreciate in a romance novel.
Very enjoyable, but not something you can read quickly, so take your time with this one.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author in exchange for an honest review. **
Trust The Connection is a combination of the books Connection and Trust, which were previously published.
Evan Harris, 21 and gay, works in a small funeral home owned by his uncle in his small hometown. Despite having been told he's useless for pretty much all of his life, he's good at his job and has ambitions, but also realizes that to continue the life he knows, he will have to stay in the closet. Until he's found out and kicked out of his home, with no place to go, that was his plan.
Evan makes a call to Russ (from the Equals series) in Atlanta, and Russ doesn't hesitate to help Evan. He and his partner Stephen move Evan into their home as a stop-gap, while Evan quickly works to find himself a job and a place to live. He's shy and introverted, and has little interest in one-night stands; he'd rather find someone for a relationship.
Jeremy Lewis has at 36 lived for many years as a recluse; an accident when he was much younger that left him scarred and with some physical limitations has turned him into someone who hides himself away, not wanting to see pity in people's eyes, and someone who thinks he's not worthy of love anymore. He's also Stephen's ex. Their relationship didn't end well, due to some intentional miscommunication on the part of Jeremy's parents, and they didn't get the closure they deserved.
Evan and Jeremy meet at around 1/4 into the book. Both men are broken in their own way and have both established their own way of dealing with things life has thrown at them, even if those ways don't exactly match up. Where Evan hasn't lost hope, and stands up for what he believes, Jeremy seems stuck in the past and has a rather off-putting woe-is-me attitude for some time. It takes him getting a strong wake-up call to finally rejoin the land of the living, so to speak. At first, theirs is a dance of hesitation, as neither can believe the other would be interested - it would have been comical, if it hadn't been so sad to watch their battered self-esteem prevent them from giving in to their mutual attraction.
This is a rather long book and might benefit from tightening the narrative a bit more to remove some of the more minute details, but the author did a fine job keeping me interested and making the story flow really well. The two main characters begin dating and slowly trusting each other, even if Jeremy thinks for a while that he has nothing to offer the much younger Evan. There are many emotional scenes throughout the book, and the author really drew me in - making me care about the characters and cheering them on. Love is not the magical cure-all, and the relationship was not an easy one - it couldn't be, not with their combined baggage - but Evan and Jeremy communicated honestly, discussed their hopes and dreams, their wants and needs, their personal hang-ups, and built a strong foundation for lasting love. They also had a small group of friends who supported them and became their family.
With crisp, realistic dialogue, and a mostly tight narrative, the book is told in dual 3rd person POV, which worked for me, as both Evan and Jeremy have a distinctive voice - there was never any question as to who was telling any given part of the story. The characters were complex, flawed, and relatable. The intimate scenes were well done and not superfluous or gratuitous - something I always appreciate in a romance novel.
Very enjoyable, but not something you can read quickly, so take your time with this one.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author in exchange for an honest review. **
November 26, 2018
This is my first time reading a work by this author and I liked it. It was well-written, well-edited, had wonderful characters both main and secondary. What the best part was for me was the fact that all the events, scenes and people were realistic, there was no sugar coating, no moon beams during intimacy - it was honest, sometimes awkward but so very relatable.
Here we have two men with deep rooted issues who need both time and love to heal them. I liked both Evan and Jeremy. Well, I liked Evan a little bit more because he took the hand he has been dealt with and made it work, he found what he was looking for and in the end didn't take less what he deserved - he stood up for himself. Made me very proud. Jeremy even with everything he went through seemed less mature and a little stuck in the past. He basically clung to the old and didn't want to let in the new. It almost felt at times that he was wallowing in his own misery. But once he got a reality check he finally decided to take a step towards the future. That's when I noticed his positive qualities.
I liked all the secondary characters - the whole small but tight knit family that Evan and Jeremy surrounded themselves. There were fun and teasing moments, there were romantic gestures, and even very painful memories. But through all these problems these two men still fought for their relationship, they communicated and forgave each other. I liked the fact that Evan was not a magic cure for Jeremy, I liked how gradually Jeremy accepted himself. I liked how Evan turned out, how wonderful he truly was. Overall, I enjoyed this book. My only objection is that it was a tad overlong. I wish it was a little shorter but still, wonderful book with moderate angst and plenty feelings, and relatable characters. I recommend it.
Here we have two men with deep rooted issues who need both time and love to heal them. I liked both Evan and Jeremy. Well, I liked Evan a little bit more because he took the hand he has been dealt with and made it work, he found what he was looking for and in the end didn't take less what he deserved - he stood up for himself. Made me very proud. Jeremy even with everything he went through seemed less mature and a little stuck in the past. He basically clung to the old and didn't want to let in the new. It almost felt at times that he was wallowing in his own misery. But once he got a reality check he finally decided to take a step towards the future. That's when I noticed his positive qualities.
I liked all the secondary characters - the whole small but tight knit family that Evan and Jeremy surrounded themselves. There were fun and teasing moments, there were romantic gestures, and even very painful memories. But through all these problems these two men still fought for their relationship, they communicated and forgave each other. I liked the fact that Evan was not a magic cure for Jeremy, I liked how gradually Jeremy accepted himself. I liked how Evan turned out, how wonderful he truly was. Overall, I enjoyed this book. My only objection is that it was a tad overlong. I wish it was a little shorter but still, wonderful book with moderate angst and plenty feelings, and relatable characters. I recommend it.
December 10, 2018
DNF @ 27%.
This book is told in 3rd person, dual POV. I'm not a fan of duel POV, but I do love 3rd person POV. The main issue that I had with the dual POV in this one was that one of those POVs was Jeremy, who has spent the last 10-15 years of his life throwing himself a pity party. I don't want to read a book where one character is so hung up on himself and do the whole, woe is me, nobody will ever love me, I'll die alone. And then tell the cute guy that's into him if he (Jeremy) wasn't a cripple, he'd be all over him, but he deserves better, and his ex deserves better, and everyone deserves better.... because who wants to date, or even have sex, with a guy with a scarred up leg?
Not to mention, Jeremy and Evan don't have any real interaction with each other until 22% of the way into the book.
This book is told in 3rd person, dual POV. I'm not a fan of duel POV, but I do love 3rd person POV. The main issue that I had with the dual POV in this one was that one of those POVs was Jeremy, who has spent the last 10-15 years of his life throwing himself a pity party. I don't want to read a book where one character is so hung up on himself and do the whole, woe is me, nobody will ever love me, I'll die alone. And then tell the cute guy that's into him if he (Jeremy) wasn't a cripple, he'd be all over him, but he deserves better, and his ex deserves better, and everyone deserves better.... because who wants to date, or even have sex, with a guy with a scarred up leg?
Not to mention, Jeremy and Evan don't have any real interaction with each other until 22% of the way into the book.
January 4, 2019
A hopeful tale where two lonely kind men find love. Jeremy and Evan need to mind the age gap and each others self esteem issues but it is a lovely romance with a chosen family.
March 18, 2021
Finding Love and Holding on!
Young Funeral Director Evan serendipitously encounter with Retail Manager Jeremy would turn both their lives upside down with love. This is another good storytelling of the ins and outs of building a romantic relationship by author Brigham Vaughn. Good character development and a solid premise. Some may find the story long-winded, but I enjoyed the day to day detail. It lets the reader see the love growing between the MCs. None of this insta-love here. I also love the arc of Evan, from shy and insecure to strong self valued man. A good read!
An aside: I would like to read about Chris & Tod next?!
One more note: please editing this book, again, lots of errors here.
Young Funeral Director Evan serendipitously encounter with Retail Manager Jeremy would turn both their lives upside down with love. This is another good storytelling of the ins and outs of building a romantic relationship by author Brigham Vaughn. Good character development and a solid premise. Some may find the story long-winded, but I enjoyed the day to day detail. It lets the reader see the love growing between the MCs. None of this insta-love here. I also love the arc of Evan, from shy and insecure to strong self valued man. A good read!
An aside: I would like to read about Chris & Tod next?!
One more note: please editing this book, again, lots of errors here.
Read
November 20, 2018We first met Evan in ‘Partners’ when he worked in the funeral home and Russ (from the Equals Series) befriended him. Evan is gay and has been hiding the fact from his family and the town he lives in. When his secret is revealed his father kicks him out of his home and in his desperation he turns to Russ who doesn’t hesitate but immediately offers him a place to stay in the apartment he shares with Stephen.
Jeremy is Stephen’s ex and has been trying to rebuild his life after a devastating car crash left him alone, scarred and with permanent injuries. In the process he has become a bit of a recluse. He goes out to work but doesn’t have a social life and doesn’t believe he’ll ever be in a relationship again now he’s as damaged as deems himself to be.
Neither man has a whole lot of confidence. Both view the world and their place in it with suspicion. Evan would like to hope but doesn’t believe his dreams could ever come true while Jeremy has all but given up on hope and just tries to make it through his days without giving into despair.
When the two men meet, they engage in what can best be described as a slow and tenuous dance. The attraction is strong on both sides but neither man believes that the other could possibly feel the same. Throw in Jeremy’s hang-ups about his scars and limitations and a coming together appears very unlikely, until they do connect (pun intended). But, sometimes love alone isn’t enough and Jeremy and Evan are learning that the hard way.
Jeremy and Evan charmed me as often as they infuriated me. For every time I wanted to squeeze them in a tight hug and comfort them I had a moment when it was all I could do to not shout at my Kindle that they should just talk to each other, stop introspecting and start believing. But of course, that is what this story is all about; Jeremy and Evan’s journey to the moment where they are able to believe in themselves and in each other—the moment when they can both trust that they are good enough and that together they’re perfectly imperfect. And seeing Evan find inner strength and confidence was as beautiful as watching Jeremy as he overcame his insecurities and stopped looking at himself as only half the man he used to be.
Evan and Jeremy’s journey in this book was heartbreaking and delightful, sad and funny, frustrating and uplifting. Most of all, their journey was beautiful and memorable and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Jeremy is Stephen’s ex and has been trying to rebuild his life after a devastating car crash left him alone, scarred and with permanent injuries. In the process he has become a bit of a recluse. He goes out to work but doesn’t have a social life and doesn’t believe he’ll ever be in a relationship again now he’s as damaged as deems himself to be.
Neither man has a whole lot of confidence. Both view the world and their place in it with suspicion. Evan would like to hope but doesn’t believe his dreams could ever come true while Jeremy has all but given up on hope and just tries to make it through his days without giving into despair.
When the two men meet, they engage in what can best be described as a slow and tenuous dance. The attraction is strong on both sides but neither man believes that the other could possibly feel the same. Throw in Jeremy’s hang-ups about his scars and limitations and a coming together appears very unlikely, until they do connect (pun intended). But, sometimes love alone isn’t enough and Jeremy and Evan are learning that the hard way.
Jeremy and Evan charmed me as often as they infuriated me. For every time I wanted to squeeze them in a tight hug and comfort them I had a moment when it was all I could do to not shout at my Kindle that they should just talk to each other, stop introspecting and start believing. But of course, that is what this story is all about; Jeremy and Evan’s journey to the moment where they are able to believe in themselves and in each other—the moment when they can both trust that they are good enough and that together they’re perfectly imperfect. And seeing Evan find inner strength and confidence was as beautiful as watching Jeremy as he overcame his insecurities and stopped looking at himself as only half the man he used to be.
Evan and Jeremy’s journey in this book was heartbreaking and delightful, sad and funny, frustrating and uplifting. Most of all, their journey was beautiful and memorable and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
September 26, 2019
I'm not going to lie, when I first saw how long this book was, I was a little nervous. Not that I don't like long books, don't misunderstand me, but I've had some that were long and were so boring, I had to put it away. So sometimes they make me nervous. But this one. Shew. You better grab tissues before you read this one. It is so damn good but it's going to take you on the emotional ride of your life. Big time. But it's worth every page. I could not put it down.
Evan's home life wasn't the greatest. His father was an asshole and a drunk, who since losing his job, refuses to get another and just drink and gambles away his and his mother's paychecks. Working for his uncle and Aunt is no great prize either. When he should be moving forward as a funeral director or something else, his uncle just keeps him around as the errand boy. And the homophobic stuff that comes out of all their mouths is so bad. He has to hide himself tightly. But he got caught by his uncle when a sales rep was hitting on him and the guy tried to kiss him. He was fired, and then kicked out of his home by his father. He had nowhere to go. So he called his only friend, who he wasn't even really close to, to see if he could help. Russ and his boyfriend, Stephen, immediately told him to get his butt to Atlanta and they'd help him.
For a few weeks, it was rough for Evan. He felt in the way, even though, they reassured him he wasn't. But when he finally found a job, where they accepted him as gay, he knew it would be better. But then he met Stephen's ex, Jeremy, who was in the car accident Stephen feels guilty about, and he's immediately hooked. Jeremy is too, but he's fighting it tooth and nail because he's insecure about his scars and still panicky about a few other things. He's also quick to anger and feels like he's not good enough for Evan. They try to just remain friends but the chemistry is too strong and one night the passion escalates. It's fine until Evan touches Jeremy's scars and he flips out. And it's goodbye. Evan is heartbroken and is barely coping. He tries to date another guy, but he's not Jeremy. And Jeremy is miserable. It takes a talk from Russ, more like an ass chewing, to get Jeremy's ass in gear and he's determined to try to be the man worthy of Evan. It may take the rest of his life but he's going to try his damnedest. But between his PTSD and some other things, and Evan's past coming to the future, things are strained and Evan doesn't know how to make it right anymore.
You know, Russ's dad is the only parent in this book that is accepting of his child being gay and I feel the same way he does. It's bullshit the way parents turn on their own children. I raged at the injustice of what Evan, Jeremy and Stephen all had to go through in their lives with their families. Even made worse when Jeremy had his wreck and Jeremy's parents treated Stephen like shit. For 15 years, Stephen felt guilty over that. But what I loved about this book, is all the second chances and chances of redemption this book has. Stephen got a new life with Russ, Evan got a new start because of Stephen and Russ, and Jeremy got a new lease on life with Evan. Stephan and Jeremy finally got to make amends and things started to change. I don't want to give away too much. I have enough already, but it really is such a great story. It makes you laugh, cry and rage but these characters are doing their damnedest to make life worth living. Despite what they had to love with growing up. Despite their pasts. Despite the depression or fears and doubts. They kept putting one foot in front of the other and kept moving. It didn't mean life wasn't shitty or that times weren't rough or the fights weren't brutal, but they did their best to make amends and move forward. In a lot of ways, Jeremy had the most work. Considering what he had been through, it's understandable. But even at his lowest, he still didn't end it. He might have had to get a kick in the pants to get moving, but he did. He kept trying. And that made all the difference.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
Evan's home life wasn't the greatest. His father was an asshole and a drunk, who since losing his job, refuses to get another and just drink and gambles away his and his mother's paychecks. Working for his uncle and Aunt is no great prize either. When he should be moving forward as a funeral director or something else, his uncle just keeps him around as the errand boy. And the homophobic stuff that comes out of all their mouths is so bad. He has to hide himself tightly. But he got caught by his uncle when a sales rep was hitting on him and the guy tried to kiss him. He was fired, and then kicked out of his home by his father. He had nowhere to go. So he called his only friend, who he wasn't even really close to, to see if he could help. Russ and his boyfriend, Stephen, immediately told him to get his butt to Atlanta and they'd help him.
For a few weeks, it was rough for Evan. He felt in the way, even though, they reassured him he wasn't. But when he finally found a job, where they accepted him as gay, he knew it would be better. But then he met Stephen's ex, Jeremy, who was in the car accident Stephen feels guilty about, and he's immediately hooked. Jeremy is too, but he's fighting it tooth and nail because he's insecure about his scars and still panicky about a few other things. He's also quick to anger and feels like he's not good enough for Evan. They try to just remain friends but the chemistry is too strong and one night the passion escalates. It's fine until Evan touches Jeremy's scars and he flips out. And it's goodbye. Evan is heartbroken and is barely coping. He tries to date another guy, but he's not Jeremy. And Jeremy is miserable. It takes a talk from Russ, more like an ass chewing, to get Jeremy's ass in gear and he's determined to try to be the man worthy of Evan. It may take the rest of his life but he's going to try his damnedest. But between his PTSD and some other things, and Evan's past coming to the future, things are strained and Evan doesn't know how to make it right anymore.
You know, Russ's dad is the only parent in this book that is accepting of his child being gay and I feel the same way he does. It's bullshit the way parents turn on their own children. I raged at the injustice of what Evan, Jeremy and Stephen all had to go through in their lives with their families. Even made worse when Jeremy had his wreck and Jeremy's parents treated Stephen like shit. For 15 years, Stephen felt guilty over that. But what I loved about this book, is all the second chances and chances of redemption this book has. Stephen got a new life with Russ, Evan got a new start because of Stephen and Russ, and Jeremy got a new lease on life with Evan. Stephan and Jeremy finally got to make amends and things started to change. I don't want to give away too much. I have enough already, but it really is such a great story. It makes you laugh, cry and rage but these characters are doing their damnedest to make life worth living. Despite what they had to love with growing up. Despite their pasts. Despite the depression or fears and doubts. They kept putting one foot in front of the other and kept moving. It didn't mean life wasn't shitty or that times weren't rough or the fights weren't brutal, but they did their best to make amends and move forward. In a lot of ways, Jeremy had the most work. Considering what he had been through, it's understandable. But even at his lowest, he still didn't end it. He might have had to get a kick in the pants to get moving, but he did. He kept trying. And that made all the difference.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
September 19, 2020
One exceptional skill Brigham Vaughn has with her writing is the ability to bring realness and authenticity to both characters and situations. Both Evan and Jeremy are flawed characters in a tenuous and fragile arrangement and Brigham takes us through the journey they travel together - both the sweet and the ugly. The pace of the story is perfect for us to digest the trauma and difficulties each character faces but also allows for the reader to savour the sweet and deliciously sexy components of the story.
If you're looking for a book which shows the black, white and the grey sides of a relationship - you'll really enjoy this one. but make sure you've read the others in the series first - they also have the same kind of rawness (although this one has it to a greater extent).
Highly enjoyable and a great book to get deeply involved in both the characters and storyline. Highly recommended.
If you're looking for a book which shows the black, white and the grey sides of a relationship - you'll really enjoy this one. but make sure you've read the others in the series first - they also have the same kind of rawness (although this one has it to a greater extent).
Highly enjoyable and a great book to get deeply involved in both the characters and storyline. Highly recommended.
January 29, 2022
Trust the Connection is a study in human character.
This is a beautiful book about redemption and love. It’s longer than most books in this genre and slow (but not in a bad way, more in a soft way) of two regular guys (not rich, or athletes or heroes) with pasts to contend with and they find the courage to do that in the support of one another and their friends who also become family.
It is a book about real people; messy & rough around the edges. People who make mistakes (repeatedly) and are awkward, but also loving and kind and just looking for other people who will care about them and support them and love them even with all their foibles.
This is a beautiful book about redemption and love. It’s longer than most books in this genre and slow (but not in a bad way, more in a soft way) of two regular guys (not rich, or athletes or heroes) with pasts to contend with and they find the courage to do that in the support of one another and their friends who also become family.
It is a book about real people; messy & rough around the edges. People who make mistakes (repeatedly) and are awkward, but also loving and kind and just looking for other people who will care about them and support them and love them even with all their foibles.
November 22, 2018
this was freakin amazing.. it was hott it was sexy and it was just well written and fun to read. the emotions are real and raw... it was heartbreaking and heartwarming.. it was all around a feel good amazing story
November 20, 2018
An ARC was given in exchange for an honest review.
Spoiler alert!!
I really do try to avoid spoilers, so I’ll attempt to be careful, but just in case, I wanted to put a warning in. (Okay, I just finished and there are spoilers). This is a spin off of the Equals Series, which I haven’t read. I didn’t feel that I needed to, as it stood quite well on its own.
This is the second of Brigham Vaughn’s books that I’ve read, the first being Bully and Exit. What I really liked about that book, and this one, is how issues from the characters’ pasts (or, in Evan’s case, present) come to bear on their present situations in life. Jeremy has been through a lot in the fifteen years since his car accident, physically, mentally, and emotionally; from having to deal with his pride fifteen years earlier–what led him to refuse to take the money from his lover to get his brakes fixed (what caused the accident, in part), to the painful process of physical recovery and the betrayal of his parents, which cost him the relationship with Stephen–his lover at the time. He is stuck in a middle management position at a sporting goods store (ironic considering his accident), alone and without friends. He considered himself a handsome man before the accident, able to go out with whomever he wanted. Now, he thinks he’s a disfigured cripple no one will ever love, surrounding himself with a curmudgeonly detachment.
Evan is young, very shy, and, partially in the closet (at least at the beginning). He works at his uncle’s funeral home, and his uncle has paid his way through school to become an undertaker, paving the way for Evan to take over the family business. Evan’s father is an alcoholic, his mother under his father’s thumb. They know he is gay, and tolerate it, just. When his uncle finds out and fires Evan, his father kicks him out; all that really mattered to him was the paycheck Evan brought home.
I love the serendipity that Stephan’s father’s funeral was at Evan’s uncle’s funeral home six months earlier, so Evan calls Russ, Stephan’s partner, in Atlanta. Russ and Stephen welcome Evan into their home; their philosophy they had it hard, especially Stephen, as a young gay man trying to get by without a family’s support, and that paying it forward is the right thing to do. It seems almost too idealistic, yet I can see people doing that, because the bonds of suffering the same experiences are very strong–and unfortunately all too common for young gay men (and women) when they come out.
That is one of the themes that I noticed in Bully and Exit as well, which is also in Trust the Connection: family is not necessarily who you are born to, but the family you make, and that’s a theme that resonates with many people, I think, not just individuals in the LBGTQ community (though especially there). What I like about dealing with that particular issue, however, is it shows how much people have in common, regardless of orientation. But it’s also a way that really binds the LBGTQ community together. I’m starting to babble a little here, so let’s move on, shall we? Hopefully I made sense.
While it seems like that’s giving a lot away, it’s really not. There’s a lot more to the story than this. It’s about two people who are scarred by their life experiences and don’t see their true worth. They don’t think anyone else can see anything in them. They have no idea how they look through someone else’s eyes. Jeremy only sees himself as a disfigured cripple, no good for anyone. Evan only sees himself as a shy virgin, not attractive to anyone. They are full of insecurities.
In contrast to them, Russ and Stephen have a relationship that is what both Evan and Jeremy want. They see what they want, they just have no idea how to get there.
Evan and Jeremy build a tentative friendship over Six Feet Under. I loved that touch. Seeing their relationship grow, stutter, fall back, start up, is so real, and sometimes so painful–I will admit that it made me cry, I felt so frustrated for both of them. Not the bop of the side of the head, just talk to each other frustration. Jeremy especially has years of conditioning and self-loathing to try to repair, and it doesn’t happen overnight. Evan is so painfully shy, and so used to hiding the fact that he’s gay, he’s learning to be who he is without repercussion from outside forces.
Like building one’s own family, the topics of loneliness and depression are others many people will be familiar with, and I thought Ms. Vaughn deals with them very well and very realistically. I liked the advice that Jeremy’s Dr. gives him. I’ve heard it from my own Dr., so I know it’s realistic. Get out, be social. It’s much harder to do than it sounds.
I have been reading a lot of my one of my favorite genres lately, Regency romances. What, you might ask, does that have to do with Trust the Connection? A discussion came up about the hero and whether or not a hero who was somewhat of a villain was worthy of redemption. One of the things making them worthy of redemption was vulnerability, a willingness to do better/make themselves a better person not just for someone else but because they realized they could be a better person.
Now, Jeremy is far from a villain, but I think in his own mind, he has built his faults, physical and mental, up to villainous proportions. He is a tortured soul. One thing that good storytellers remember is that, whether a character is in a Regency romance or a contemporary romance, human nature doesn’t change. Jeremy isn’t a swashbuckling rogue of a lord, but he has let his accident turn him into someone who isn’t always a very nice person, who is distant, and who is not easy to get to know—who in fact, doesn’t want to get to know anyone because life is easier that way. He isn’t really living.
Evan is the breath of fresh air in his stagnant world, the one who sees him with fresh eyes, and who doesn’t see him as someone who is lacking—he sees what is good in Jeremy. I don’t think that’s too spoilery. Evan’s optimism vs. Jeremy’s pessimism is a strong part of their story.
Trust the Connection is a story of exactly that—the ability to trust someone enough to have faith in them to grow into themselves, into the person they are meant to be. It’s the knowledge that mistakes will be made, but will be forgiven. That love means the ability to accept a person’s faults as well as their strengths.
Ms. Vaughan does an exemplary job of showing how Evan and Jeremy overcome their obstacles, in a realistic manner—I especially appreciated how Jeremy moved through working through his issues regarding the accident. The issues and fears that they face are realistic and ones that come up in many relationships in their fledgeling stages—I could definitely identify with some of them very clearly and empathetically. I love that they have their misunderstandings, but they choose more constructive ways to deal with them than the confusion caused by non-communication.
The secondary characters are well-drawn, and also good at judging how much both Evan and Jeremy change through the course of the book. I love the idea of family and making ones’ own family. I think this is true not only in the lives of people who are in LBGT relationships, but just in some families in general, for a variety of reasons. It’s definitely true that sometimes the families you make are closer than the families you’re born into.
On the other hand, imagining Jeremy as a swashbuckling lord is sort of fun.
I highly recommend this book.
Spoiler alert!!
I really do try to avoid spoilers, so I’ll attempt to be careful, but just in case, I wanted to put a warning in. (Okay, I just finished and there are spoilers). This is a spin off of the Equals Series, which I haven’t read. I didn’t feel that I needed to, as it stood quite well on its own.
This is the second of Brigham Vaughn’s books that I’ve read, the first being Bully and Exit. What I really liked about that book, and this one, is how issues from the characters’ pasts (or, in Evan’s case, present) come to bear on their present situations in life. Jeremy has been through a lot in the fifteen years since his car accident, physically, mentally, and emotionally; from having to deal with his pride fifteen years earlier–what led him to refuse to take the money from his lover to get his brakes fixed (what caused the accident, in part), to the painful process of physical recovery and the betrayal of his parents, which cost him the relationship with Stephen–his lover at the time. He is stuck in a middle management position at a sporting goods store (ironic considering his accident), alone and without friends. He considered himself a handsome man before the accident, able to go out with whomever he wanted. Now, he thinks he’s a disfigured cripple no one will ever love, surrounding himself with a curmudgeonly detachment.
Evan is young, very shy, and, partially in the closet (at least at the beginning). He works at his uncle’s funeral home, and his uncle has paid his way through school to become an undertaker, paving the way for Evan to take over the family business. Evan’s father is an alcoholic, his mother under his father’s thumb. They know he is gay, and tolerate it, just. When his uncle finds out and fires Evan, his father kicks him out; all that really mattered to him was the paycheck Evan brought home.
I love the serendipity that Stephan’s father’s funeral was at Evan’s uncle’s funeral home six months earlier, so Evan calls Russ, Stephan’s partner, in Atlanta. Russ and Stephen welcome Evan into their home; their philosophy they had it hard, especially Stephen, as a young gay man trying to get by without a family’s support, and that paying it forward is the right thing to do. It seems almost too idealistic, yet I can see people doing that, because the bonds of suffering the same experiences are very strong–and unfortunately all too common for young gay men (and women) when they come out.
That is one of the themes that I noticed in Bully and Exit as well, which is also in Trust the Connection: family is not necessarily who you are born to, but the family you make, and that’s a theme that resonates with many people, I think, not just individuals in the LBGTQ community (though especially there). What I like about dealing with that particular issue, however, is it shows how much people have in common, regardless of orientation. But it’s also a way that really binds the LBGTQ community together. I’m starting to babble a little here, so let’s move on, shall we? Hopefully I made sense.
While it seems like that’s giving a lot away, it’s really not. There’s a lot more to the story than this. It’s about two people who are scarred by their life experiences and don’t see their true worth. They don’t think anyone else can see anything in them. They have no idea how they look through someone else’s eyes. Jeremy only sees himself as a disfigured cripple, no good for anyone. Evan only sees himself as a shy virgin, not attractive to anyone. They are full of insecurities.
In contrast to them, Russ and Stephen have a relationship that is what both Evan and Jeremy want. They see what they want, they just have no idea how to get there.
Evan and Jeremy build a tentative friendship over Six Feet Under. I loved that touch. Seeing their relationship grow, stutter, fall back, start up, is so real, and sometimes so painful–I will admit that it made me cry, I felt so frustrated for both of them. Not the bop of the side of the head, just talk to each other frustration. Jeremy especially has years of conditioning and self-loathing to try to repair, and it doesn’t happen overnight. Evan is so painfully shy, and so used to hiding the fact that he’s gay, he’s learning to be who he is without repercussion from outside forces.
Like building one’s own family, the topics of loneliness and depression are others many people will be familiar with, and I thought Ms. Vaughn deals with them very well and very realistically. I liked the advice that Jeremy’s Dr. gives him. I’ve heard it from my own Dr., so I know it’s realistic. Get out, be social. It’s much harder to do than it sounds.
I have been reading a lot of my one of my favorite genres lately, Regency romances. What, you might ask, does that have to do with Trust the Connection? A discussion came up about the hero and whether or not a hero who was somewhat of a villain was worthy of redemption. One of the things making them worthy of redemption was vulnerability, a willingness to do better/make themselves a better person not just for someone else but because they realized they could be a better person.
Now, Jeremy is far from a villain, but I think in his own mind, he has built his faults, physical and mental, up to villainous proportions. He is a tortured soul. One thing that good storytellers remember is that, whether a character is in a Regency romance or a contemporary romance, human nature doesn’t change. Jeremy isn’t a swashbuckling rogue of a lord, but he has let his accident turn him into someone who isn’t always a very nice person, who is distant, and who is not easy to get to know—who in fact, doesn’t want to get to know anyone because life is easier that way. He isn’t really living.
Evan is the breath of fresh air in his stagnant world, the one who sees him with fresh eyes, and who doesn’t see him as someone who is lacking—he sees what is good in Jeremy. I don’t think that’s too spoilery. Evan’s optimism vs. Jeremy’s pessimism is a strong part of their story.
Trust the Connection is a story of exactly that—the ability to trust someone enough to have faith in them to grow into themselves, into the person they are meant to be. It’s the knowledge that mistakes will be made, but will be forgiven. That love means the ability to accept a person’s faults as well as their strengths.
Ms. Vaughan does an exemplary job of showing how Evan and Jeremy overcome their obstacles, in a realistic manner—I especially appreciated how Jeremy moved through working through his issues regarding the accident. The issues and fears that they face are realistic and ones that come up in many relationships in their fledgeling stages—I could definitely identify with some of them very clearly and empathetically. I love that they have their misunderstandings, but they choose more constructive ways to deal with them than the confusion caused by non-communication.
The secondary characters are well-drawn, and also good at judging how much both Evan and Jeremy change through the course of the book. I love the idea of family and making ones’ own family. I think this is true not only in the lives of people who are in LBGT relationships, but just in some families in general, for a variety of reasons. It’s definitely true that sometimes the families you make are closer than the families you’re born into.
On the other hand, imagining Jeremy as a swashbuckling lord is sort of fun.
I highly recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2023
3.5 rounded up. Nice M/M romance that sometimes finds the MC's (both Evan and Jeremy) irritating as hell. Neither seems to be able to grow up.
Evan has been thrown out of his family's house when his dad discovers he is gay. Evan is extremely naive (and young) and is lost as to what to do. Fortunately he met someone thru his job as a Funeral Director that he contacts and helps him get settled into a new life in Atlanta.
Jeremy (several years older than Evan) is the survivor of a horrific car crash. Still recovering, with lots of pain and scarring, he is having a terrible time trying to just live his life. He is embarrassed by his scars, and frequently has debilitating migraines but also, unfortunately, has an easily triggered temper and most of the time has less life skills than naive Evan.
These two were made for each other and bang their heads together until they get things right. However, I got really frustrated with both of them and at one point near the end thought there was going to be a cliffhanger ending because they once again were at loggerheads. No cliffhanger, but a lot of frustration on this reader's part. But with all that said there was still a nice romance when Evan and Jeremy were not misunderstanding each other. There were also a some great side characters.
Evan has been thrown out of his family's house when his dad discovers he is gay. Evan is extremely naive (and young) and is lost as to what to do. Fortunately he met someone thru his job as a Funeral Director that he contacts and helps him get settled into a new life in Atlanta.
Jeremy (several years older than Evan) is the survivor of a horrific car crash. Still recovering, with lots of pain and scarring, he is having a terrible time trying to just live his life. He is embarrassed by his scars, and frequently has debilitating migraines but also, unfortunately, has an easily triggered temper and most of the time has less life skills than naive Evan.
These two were made for each other and bang their heads together until they get things right. However, I got really frustrated with both of them and at one point near the end thought there was going to be a cliffhanger ending because they once again were at loggerheads. No cliffhanger, but a lot of frustration on this reader's part. But with all that said there was still a nice romance when Evan and Jeremy were not misunderstanding each other. There were also a some great side characters.
Read
November 24, 2018Broken characters, chosen family, lashings of angst, and an age difference.
If any of that appeals then this story is for you.
Also it's well written. And if you've read this author's Equals series, then there's some familiar characters.
If any of that appeals then this story is for you.
Also it's well written. And if you've read this author's Equals series, then there's some familiar characters.
November 22, 2018
This lengthy novel from Ms Vaughn was an excellent story that really shows both sides of a romantic relationship that was a very necessarily slow build up. The MCs were being impacted by so many different issues and events. They needed to resolve so many things before and after tentatively navigating the shock infested relationship waters. There were so many landmines that one misstep could trigger an explosion of emotion - temper, despair, self pity, and cement the desire to push others away because getting hurt again wasn't worth the pain.
I would have been on pins and needles if I had read the original two book release. I'm glad I got the opportunity to read the compilation. It meant spending more time, but those hours weren't wasted. I felt such a sense of satisfaction & resolution when I got to the end.
I cannot praise more highly Brigham Vaughn's book. Her skill as a writer is front and center. I will definitely be reading more of this author's books based on this very positive experience. She touched on so many themes with great emotional depth.
How so many young gay men & boys risk losing their families & made to feel ashamed of their desires. And then what happens when one's orientation is learned or accidentally the outcomes can be severe - being thrown out, loss of a job, loss of family, not having a safety net. If Evan hadn't known a couple in Atlanta to call not really anticipating their response. He would've been homeless without anywhere to go while in a very fragile state of mind.
How difficult it is to find a job even when you have the Eric & experience. But also the fear of how much to reveal to a new or potential employers. On one hand you you don't want to let go because they are homophobic, but do you risk not getting a much needed job.
The occupation for this book were quite interesting, especially that of a funeral director. It shined a light on a profession a lot of which is not known. The work related issues of having a jerk for a boss - pushing the boundaries of acceptable by the Americans with Disabilities Act. And is the customer truly always right?
Speaking up boundaries - when one party in a relationship sets them, accidentally crossing them is one thing, but to do so deliberately makes it harder to trust the other person. Respect for each other is what's needed, but that can only be garnered by at the very least discussing some possibly painful subjects. But so that both people are on the same page. It would lessen misunderstandings, but this is easier said than done.I
May December romance is another theme that is central in this book in more than one relationship - both main & secondary couples have fifteen plus years between each other. Those difficulties are dismissed and advice given. But each man has to come to his acceptance & overcome why he feels the relationship will not work.
Body image issues is another topic that one MC fights with. Luckily he has friends & lover who care less than he does. They are instrumental in helping him to deal with his issues along with his professional therapists / counselors / doctors. It didn't matter what others thought if the MC couldn't reconfigure his thinking about his body & personal worth - should he be loved?
As you see I can go on about this book - all I will finally say is if you enjoy MM romance that keeps you guessing, makes you annoyed, happy, upset, suspicious, but most certainly holds your attention - keeping you engaged in the unfolding saga. ENJOY!
I would have been on pins and needles if I had read the original two book release. I'm glad I got the opportunity to read the compilation. It meant spending more time, but those hours weren't wasted. I felt such a sense of satisfaction & resolution when I got to the end.
I cannot praise more highly Brigham Vaughn's book. Her skill as a writer is front and center. I will definitely be reading more of this author's books based on this very positive experience. She touched on so many themes with great emotional depth.
How so many young gay men & boys risk losing their families & made to feel ashamed of their desires. And then what happens when one's orientation is learned or accidentally the outcomes can be severe - being thrown out, loss of a job, loss of family, not having a safety net. If Evan hadn't known a couple in Atlanta to call not really anticipating their response. He would've been homeless without anywhere to go while in a very fragile state of mind.
How difficult it is to find a job even when you have the Eric & experience. But also the fear of how much to reveal to a new or potential employers. On one hand you you don't want to let go because they are homophobic, but do you risk not getting a much needed job.
The occupation for this book were quite interesting, especially that of a funeral director. It shined a light on a profession a lot of which is not known. The work related issues of having a jerk for a boss - pushing the boundaries of acceptable by the Americans with Disabilities Act. And is the customer truly always right?
Speaking up boundaries - when one party in a relationship sets them, accidentally crossing them is one thing, but to do so deliberately makes it harder to trust the other person. Respect for each other is what's needed, but that can only be garnered by at the very least discussing some possibly painful subjects. But so that both people are on the same page. It would lessen misunderstandings, but this is easier said than done.I
May December romance is another theme that is central in this book in more than one relationship - both main & secondary couples have fifteen plus years between each other. Those difficulties are dismissed and advice given. But each man has to come to his acceptance & overcome why he feels the relationship will not work.
Body image issues is another topic that one MC fights with. Luckily he has friends & lover who care less than he does. They are instrumental in helping him to deal with his issues along with his professional therapists / counselors / doctors. It didn't matter what others thought if the MC couldn't reconfigure his thinking about his body & personal worth - should he be loved?
As you see I can go on about this book - all I will finally say is if you enjoy MM romance that keeps you guessing, makes you annoyed, happy, upset, suspicious, but most certainly holds your attention - keeping you engaged in the unfolding saga. ENJOY!
November 24, 2018
When Brigham Vaughn asked me to post about the release of Trust the Connection I said "Of course but I wasn't sure if I'd have time to re-read Evan & Jeremy's journey with the holidays coming up" and she was fine with that. Well then I finished what I was reading and decided I'd make the time because Evan and Jeremy were just so delicious the first time around how could I not revisit them?
There are a few minor editing alterations but the story itself is left virtually unchanged and just as good as I remembered. There really is nothing new I can add to my reviews to the original duology other than if I am completely honest, I think I enjoyed it even more the second time around. Do I still want to bang their heads together once in a while? Most definitely but without the drama it would be a very short story. Watching the boys grow and realize that scars may run deep but they don't have to define you is definitely an emotional rollercoaster but it is a ride you don't want to miss.
Connection #1
Original Review October 2015:
I can't praise Connection enough. When I first started, I didn't think that Evan and Jeremy were going to work their way into my heart as deeply as Russ and Stephen did from Miss Vaughn's Equals series, well was I wrong. They may still be second to my favorite May/December boys but it is a very close second. Do you need to read Equals before delving into Evan and Jeremy's journey? Probably not but I can't imagine not knowing Russ and Stephen's journey so I am going to recommend reading Equals first but that is my personal opinion.
As to the relationship between Evan and Jeremy, the author develops it beautifully. We get both points of view and that really helps with their individual inner monologues. This story will really tug at your heart and I am looking forward to their continuing journey, I can tell it won't be easy but it will be heartwarming. There is only a few authors on my "1-click without blurb reading" list and Brigham Vaughn is one of them.
Trust #2
Original Review February 2016:
I fell in love with Evan when Russ & Stephen met him in Partners and that love only deepened when he became one half of the feature couple of the author's spin-off duology Evan and Jeremy. I will be honest and admit I had my doubts about Jeremy when he was introduced as Stephen's ex, generally exes cause strife wherever they go, but not this ex. Jeremy really begins to heal in Trust but it doesn't come easy and Evan finds it harder to let go of Jeremy and move on when the man pushes him away. I was a little on edge after reading the blurb but knew it was a story I had to read no matter how bumpy the road got and boy was there potholes all over their road. Having grown up around disability and health issues I understood both Jeremy's fears and Evan's hopeful optimism, which only helped the boys when they began to burrow their way into my heart. If you've been reading Miss Vaughn's Equals/Evan and Jeremy series then you can't miss this entry and if you haven't begun yet, well what are you waiting for? I must say that I wouldn't mind seeing minor characters Tod and Chris get their own fairytale journey, *hint, hint*.
There are a few minor editing alterations but the story itself is left virtually unchanged and just as good as I remembered. There really is nothing new I can add to my reviews to the original duology other than if I am completely honest, I think I enjoyed it even more the second time around. Do I still want to bang their heads together once in a while? Most definitely but without the drama it would be a very short story. Watching the boys grow and realize that scars may run deep but they don't have to define you is definitely an emotional rollercoaster but it is a ride you don't want to miss.
Connection #1
Original Review October 2015:
I can't praise Connection enough. When I first started, I didn't think that Evan and Jeremy were going to work their way into my heart as deeply as Russ and Stephen did from Miss Vaughn's Equals series, well was I wrong. They may still be second to my favorite May/December boys but it is a very close second. Do you need to read Equals before delving into Evan and Jeremy's journey? Probably not but I can't imagine not knowing Russ and Stephen's journey so I am going to recommend reading Equals first but that is my personal opinion.
As to the relationship between Evan and Jeremy, the author develops it beautifully. We get both points of view and that really helps with their individual inner monologues. This story will really tug at your heart and I am looking forward to their continuing journey, I can tell it won't be easy but it will be heartwarming. There is only a few authors on my "1-click without blurb reading" list and Brigham Vaughn is one of them.
Trust #2
Original Review February 2016:
I fell in love with Evan when Russ & Stephen met him in Partners and that love only deepened when he became one half of the feature couple of the author's spin-off duology Evan and Jeremy. I will be honest and admit I had my doubts about Jeremy when he was introduced as Stephen's ex, generally exes cause strife wherever they go, but not this ex. Jeremy really begins to heal in Trust but it doesn't come easy and Evan finds it harder to let go of Jeremy and move on when the man pushes him away. I was a little on edge after reading the blurb but knew it was a story I had to read no matter how bumpy the road got and boy was there potholes all over their road. Having grown up around disability and health issues I understood both Jeremy's fears and Evan's hopeful optimism, which only helped the boys when they began to burrow their way into my heart. If you've been reading Miss Vaughn's Equals/Evan and Jeremy series then you can't miss this entry and if you haven't begun yet, well what are you waiting for? I must say that I wouldn't mind seeing minor characters Tod and Chris get their own fairytale journey, *hint, hint*.
November 27, 2018
4 Stars!
Trust the Connection is a re-release. Brigham Vaughn originally published it as two books which she now reworked into one longer novel, the content is mostly unchanged, so if it feels familiar that might be why.
I absolutely loved Evan from the moment we met him. My heart broke for him and the way his parents treated him. Especially his father, since he was the one who couldn't accept having a gay son, but also his mother, who by staying quiet was complicit of her husband's actions. Although she sort of redeemed herself in the end. Evan was hardworking and sweet and with the help of Russ and Stephen—two virtual strangers who gave Evan a hand and a place to live—he managed to pick up the pieces of his life and make something of himself.
Jeremy, on the other hand, took a lot longer to warm up to and frankly, I'm not sure I really did. I got that he was depressed after his accident and its sequels, but the way he would take it out on Evan and the people who tried to be his friends? No, just no. I really think Evan got the short end of the stick with him. Evan was such a lovely boy and I was rooting for him to just leave Jeremy and give Chris a chance. I know that's not my decision to make, but honestly? I don't mind the characters being flawed, but I want to see a growth in them, a light at the end of the tunnel if you will, not finding something like this in the epilogue: "Their relationship wasn't perfect, and sometimes, it was downright awful. There were a few times he'd wondered if it was worth it at all." I just think Evan deserved more than that.
I know this review sounds really negative, and maybe it is. It's not like I don't think that Jeremy and Evan can make it, it's that I think that Jeremy needs a whole lot more of work (and therapy) for their relationship to work. As it is, we just saw the start of his journey, of his change and I was kind of disappointed I wasn't privy to more. I cared about Evan and wanted more for him and that's something that doesn't happen to me with every character, so kudos to Ms. Vaughn for making me fall for Evan so hard.
I adored Russ and Stephen and their relationship. And I really liked Chris, who was closer to Evan's age and less bitter and jaded than Jeremy.
While I can't say I was blown away by this story, I did enjoy most of it. It's well-written and engaging, and even when Jeremy made me angry, well, I couldn't put it down because I needed to find out what was going to happen with him and Evan. So, give it a chance and let me know what you thought of it.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Trust the Connection is a re-release. Brigham Vaughn originally published it as two books which she now reworked into one longer novel, the content is mostly unchanged, so if it feels familiar that might be why.
I absolutely loved Evan from the moment we met him. My heart broke for him and the way his parents treated him. Especially his father, since he was the one who couldn't accept having a gay son, but also his mother, who by staying quiet was complicit of her husband's actions. Although she sort of redeemed herself in the end. Evan was hardworking and sweet and with the help of Russ and Stephen—two virtual strangers who gave Evan a hand and a place to live—he managed to pick up the pieces of his life and make something of himself.
Jeremy, on the other hand, took a lot longer to warm up to and frankly, I'm not sure I really did. I got that he was depressed after his accident and its sequels, but the way he would take it out on Evan and the people who tried to be his friends? No, just no. I really think Evan got the short end of the stick with him. Evan was such a lovely boy and I was rooting for him to just leave Jeremy and give Chris a chance. I know that's not my decision to make, but honestly? I don't mind the characters being flawed, but I want to see a growth in them, a light at the end of the tunnel if you will, not finding something like this in the epilogue: "Their relationship wasn't perfect, and sometimes, it was downright awful. There were a few times he'd wondered if it was worth it at all." I just think Evan deserved more than that.
I know this review sounds really negative, and maybe it is. It's not like I don't think that Jeremy and Evan can make it, it's that I think that Jeremy needs a whole lot more of work (and therapy) for their relationship to work. As it is, we just saw the start of his journey, of his change and I was kind of disappointed I wasn't privy to more. I cared about Evan and wanted more for him and that's something that doesn't happen to me with every character, so kudos to Ms. Vaughn for making me fall for Evan so hard.
I adored Russ and Stephen and their relationship. And I really liked Chris, who was closer to Evan's age and less bitter and jaded than Jeremy.
While I can't say I was blown away by this story, I did enjoy most of it. It's well-written and engaging, and even when Jeremy made me angry, well, I couldn't put it down because I needed to find out what was going to happen with him and Evan. So, give it a chance and let me know what you thought of it.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
November 20, 2018
Trust the Connection is a release of Brigham's two earlier books Connection and Trust. I had previously read connection and really liked the book so I jumped to the chance to be able to read and review and ARC of the New re-released Trust the Connection. The first part of the book was as good as I remembered from earlier. It's heart breaking to read about Evan getting kicked out of job and home just for being gay. Luckily he has one friend who he can call for help and oh boy how good friends Rush and His boyfriend Stephen turn out to be. Evan manages to get on his feet, get a job and his own apartment but something is still missing until he meats Jeremy at Rush and Steven's engagement party. They try to stay friends and Jeremy has so many problems because of a near fatal car accident that he doesn't think he can ever have actual functional relationship and then there is the age difference and Evan's sexual inexperience to consider..
What I really liked in this book was the characters and how the writer slowly build their story together. It was wonderful to see how Evan and Jeremy managed to work on their problems together even tough it was so hard on them, especially to Jeremy to trust that he really was worth Evan's love.. even with his ugly scars and migraines. Also it was nice to get a glimpse of Rush and Stephen again (If you haven't read Equals I definitely recommend that series!) and get to know wonderful and funny new side characters like Monty and his girlfriend and Tod the waiter whose antics never failed to get me smiling. I'm hoping there is a story with Tod and Chris coming out in the future!
Trust the connection might not be your light and fluffy read but I totally recommend it to everyone who likes and a good well spelled story with wonderful characters and happy ending! I really enjoyed reading this book!
What I really liked in this book was the characters and how the writer slowly build their story together. It was wonderful to see how Evan and Jeremy managed to work on their problems together even tough it was so hard on them, especially to Jeremy to trust that he really was worth Evan's love.. even with his ugly scars and migraines. Also it was nice to get a glimpse of Rush and Stephen again (If you haven't read Equals I definitely recommend that series!) and get to know wonderful and funny new side characters like Monty and his girlfriend and Tod the waiter whose antics never failed to get me smiling. I'm hoping there is a story with Tod and Chris coming out in the future!
Trust the connection might not be your light and fluffy read but I totally recommend it to everyone who likes and a good well spelled story with wonderful characters and happy ending! I really enjoyed reading this book!
November 10, 2018
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
First of all let me say that I'm more into the action genre of the M/M series. Give me action, guns, explosions, drama, and I am all over that book. While this was not action, I must say that I didn't miss my go-to genre in the least. Each page of this book left me wanting more. It was so refreshing to have characters be so open and honest with each other, not just the MC's but all the characters. To have them talk things out instead of keeping secrets that come out later and blow up in their faces was a breath of fresh air.
I'm not saying that these characters were perfect, not even close. They had their flaws and differences like everyone else, they even make mistakes. What sets them apart though is that they're able to own up to it.
I also must say how much I loved the secondary characters here as well. Monty, Alan, and Tod (yes, with only one D) just to name a few. Monty and Tod had me laughing every time their names popped up and Alan was just amazing.
I think it was great that even though I hadn't read any other books involving the characters this series was a spin off from I never felt lost or confused. So it is possible to read this as a stand alone. I had read some of the comments when this was two books, and the majority of the complaints I saw was how the first book had ended and then they had to go to the next in the series. This book, with the two of them mashed together, and alternating chapter POV's should fix that.
All in all it was an amazing book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! And after I get through a few more books I'm sure I'll dive into her other series to get into Russ and Stephen's heads as well!
First of all let me say that I'm more into the action genre of the M/M series. Give me action, guns, explosions, drama, and I am all over that book. While this was not action, I must say that I didn't miss my go-to genre in the least. Each page of this book left me wanting more. It was so refreshing to have characters be so open and honest with each other, not just the MC's but all the characters. To have them talk things out instead of keeping secrets that come out later and blow up in their faces was a breath of fresh air.
I'm not saying that these characters were perfect, not even close. They had their flaws and differences like everyone else, they even make mistakes. What sets them apart though is that they're able to own up to it.
I also must say how much I loved the secondary characters here as well. Monty, Alan, and Tod (yes, with only one D) just to name a few. Monty and Tod had me laughing every time their names popped up and Alan was just amazing.
I think it was great that even though I hadn't read any other books involving the characters this series was a spin off from I never felt lost or confused. So it is possible to read this as a stand alone. I had read some of the comments when this was two books, and the majority of the complaints I saw was how the first book had ended and then they had to go to the next in the series. This book, with the two of them mashed together, and alternating chapter POV's should fix that.
All in all it was an amazing book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! And after I get through a few more books I'm sure I'll dive into her other series to get into Russ and Stephen's heads as well!
November 20, 2018
Trust the Connection, by Brigham Vaughn is an amazing story.
Evan's been kicked out of his home, and at 20 years old he's without a job, without a home, and completely on his own. Until he's taken in by Russ and Stephen.
Jeremy's 36 and lives in chronic pain from an accident in his past. He's alive and functioning, but is unable to live a full life. He's depressed, feeling that he's half a man now and there's no reason to live. He's crippled, scarred, damaged and lonely. Very lonely.
Then Jeremy and Evan meet at a party, bringing these two lonely men together. When Jeremy first sees Evan, his long dormant sex drive comes back to life. What follows is an amazing story of these two men coming together despite their emotional obstacles.
The story is well written, the characters well developed and the theme powerful. We get to know these characters well, are able to feel their feelings along with them, and are thrilled when their slow burn romance comes to fruition.
Their story contains a whole lot of ups and downs, struggles over their age difference, and a whole lot of heartbreak. They are certainly an odd couple, but they're perfect for one another.
One wonderful lesson of this story is that life is fragile and we need to hold onto what matters to us.
The other powerful theme is that family does not need to be biological. Just because someone's rejected by their real family, doesn't mean we can't make our own families.
The author's writing is wonderful, creating fantastic characters and taking them on a journey of growth. I definitely recommend this story.
Evan's been kicked out of his home, and at 20 years old he's without a job, without a home, and completely on his own. Until he's taken in by Russ and Stephen.
Jeremy's 36 and lives in chronic pain from an accident in his past. He's alive and functioning, but is unable to live a full life. He's depressed, feeling that he's half a man now and there's no reason to live. He's crippled, scarred, damaged and lonely. Very lonely.
Then Jeremy and Evan meet at a party, bringing these two lonely men together. When Jeremy first sees Evan, his long dormant sex drive comes back to life. What follows is an amazing story of these two men coming together despite their emotional obstacles.
The story is well written, the characters well developed and the theme powerful. We get to know these characters well, are able to feel their feelings along with them, and are thrilled when their slow burn romance comes to fruition.
Their story contains a whole lot of ups and downs, struggles over their age difference, and a whole lot of heartbreak. They are certainly an odd couple, but they're perfect for one another.
One wonderful lesson of this story is that life is fragile and we need to hold onto what matters to us.
The other powerful theme is that family does not need to be biological. Just because someone's rejected by their real family, doesn't mean we can't make our own families.
The author's writing is wonderful, creating fantastic characters and taking them on a journey of growth. I definitely recommend this story.
November 28, 2018
Lovely read!
This is the first time I've read this authors books but it definitely won't be the last. Jeremy and Evan's story makes for a great read.
Jeremy is lonely but it's because he decided he doesn't do relationships. He has a hard time seeing himself as worth someone's time. Jeremy had an accident when he was in collage and he's still hasn't come to terms with it. When he meets his ex Steven then he does start to go out again and he's invited to a party by his ex, there he meets Evan. This young man who has been through so much makes Jeremy question his anger and his feelings about himself. The saying goes you don't know what you've got until it's gone is so true and when they have to stop being friends Jeremy faces losing Evan.
Evan turns to two people he doesn't really know when he's kicked out of his home. He moves and slowly builds his life the way he wants it to be but he is still lonely. Evan meets Jeremy and falls for him but Jeremy makes it clear that he can't do relationships. Evan knows he needs to stop being friends with Jeremy if he is to find love.
It's never that simple! Evan can't move on because he wants Jeremy and Jeremy has a lot of work to do before he can be in a relationship with Evan.
This book not only covers the problems of them meeting but also the minefield of trying to form a solid, lasting relationship. The characters are well written and the reader becomes taken by both men's stories as they unfold. I can't wait to see what else I can find by this author because the Romance has made this book hard to put down.
This is the first time I've read this authors books but it definitely won't be the last. Jeremy and Evan's story makes for a great read.
Jeremy is lonely but it's because he decided he doesn't do relationships. He has a hard time seeing himself as worth someone's time. Jeremy had an accident when he was in collage and he's still hasn't come to terms with it. When he meets his ex Steven then he does start to go out again and he's invited to a party by his ex, there he meets Evan. This young man who has been through so much makes Jeremy question his anger and his feelings about himself. The saying goes you don't know what you've got until it's gone is so true and when they have to stop being friends Jeremy faces losing Evan.
Evan turns to two people he doesn't really know when he's kicked out of his home. He moves and slowly builds his life the way he wants it to be but he is still lonely. Evan meets Jeremy and falls for him but Jeremy makes it clear that he can't do relationships. Evan knows he needs to stop being friends with Jeremy if he is to find love.
It's never that simple! Evan can't move on because he wants Jeremy and Jeremy has a lot of work to do before he can be in a relationship with Evan.
This book not only covers the problems of them meeting but also the minefield of trying to form a solid, lasting relationship. The characters are well written and the reader becomes taken by both men's stories as they unfold. I can't wait to see what else I can find by this author because the Romance has made this book hard to put down.
November 20, 2018
Although I've read Brigham Vaughn's new adult Midwest Series and enjoyed them, this book took me completely by surprise. The characters are original and the story unique and I couldn't put it down once I started reading it.
Evan, who works as a funeral director, is outed by his uncle and kicked out of his house by his father. He moves in with Russ, who he'd met once during his partner Stephen's father's funeral. They help him get on his feet and he gets a job as a funeral director with a company he really likes. Other than his work, he is lonely. Until he meets Jeremy. Jeremy was in a car accident at the age of 20 and until then, he lived his life to the fullest. He was in a relationship with Stephen despite not wanting to be tied down, but his parents found out about their relationship and severed it. Alone for the past 15 years, he's surprised by the connection he's found with shy Evan.
I enjoyed getting to know both men and their complicated histories. Jeremy isn't living his life to the fullest and pushes Evan away, although he wants Evan. And with Evan's relationship with his parents, especially his drunk father and manipulative mother, throws another wrench into the relationship they are trying to build. The two men learn strength from each other and learn to fight for what they want. This is a lovely story with deep issues and ultimately, a strong love between two men who deserve it!
Evan, who works as a funeral director, is outed by his uncle and kicked out of his house by his father. He moves in with Russ, who he'd met once during his partner Stephen's father's funeral. They help him get on his feet and he gets a job as a funeral director with a company he really likes. Other than his work, he is lonely. Until he meets Jeremy. Jeremy was in a car accident at the age of 20 and until then, he lived his life to the fullest. He was in a relationship with Stephen despite not wanting to be tied down, but his parents found out about their relationship and severed it. Alone for the past 15 years, he's surprised by the connection he's found with shy Evan.
I enjoyed getting to know both men and their complicated histories. Jeremy isn't living his life to the fullest and pushes Evan away, although he wants Evan. And with Evan's relationship with his parents, especially his drunk father and manipulative mother, throws another wrench into the relationship they are trying to build. The two men learn strength from each other and learn to fight for what they want. This is a lovely story with deep issues and ultimately, a strong love between two men who deserve it!
November 21, 2018
PLEASE READ FIRST MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings (thanks to amazon I had to change it again and 'upgrade' it a little bit.):
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth King,
'Save the at he kids' series from EM Leya or
'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like
an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books) it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times (most romances where you can enjoy
for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader, but
not really an often reread book
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok) It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
To my ratings (thanks to amazon I had to change it again and 'upgrade' it a little bit.):
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth King,
'Save the at he kids' series from EM Leya or
'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like
an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books) it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times (most romances where you can enjoy
for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader, but
not really an often reread book
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok) It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class
November 22, 2018
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4 stars
🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 3.5
This was a heartwarming story about two broken men, who find each and learn to heal.
I really enjoyed this book. It was the first book of Brigham’s I’ve read and found her writing style captivating, endearing and authentic. Although this is a long book. It never felt too long and I was caught up in the story the whole way through.
I feel like these characters were unique and somewhat of an unusual pair, that just seems to work. Evan and Jeremy both approach life differently and have both been through their own versions of hell and hardships. They both feel undeserving and lost but they manage to push through and learn how to be together. This book shows how a couple can truely bring out the best in each other. I found their progress through the pitfalls of their relationship very authentic and while they faced challenges they did it together. I loved Evan and Jeremy and really enjoyed their story 💜.
Thanks for reading 📚!
🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 3.5
This was a heartwarming story about two broken men, who find each and learn to heal.
I really enjoyed this book. It was the first book of Brigham’s I’ve read and found her writing style captivating, endearing and authentic. Although this is a long book. It never felt too long and I was caught up in the story the whole way through.
I feel like these characters were unique and somewhat of an unusual pair, that just seems to work. Evan and Jeremy both approach life differently and have both been through their own versions of hell and hardships. They both feel undeserving and lost but they manage to push through and learn how to be together. This book shows how a couple can truely bring out the best in each other. I found their progress through the pitfalls of their relationship very authentic and while they faced challenges they did it together. I loved Evan and Jeremy and really enjoyed their story 💜.
Thanks for reading 📚!
November 12, 2018
I absolutely loved Trust the Connection. I loved the slow build to this story and seeing both Evan and Jeremy’s story unfold. I liked how they ended up meeting and how they had a connection they didn’t know about. I really liked the way Jeremy’s physical limits and psychological issues were dealt with, no holds barred and that everything wasn’t easy. I also liked that both men communicated their needs or frustrations with each other. I am always saddened to read a story about a young man kicked out of his home, but I liked how Evan found friends who really supported him and did pay it forward. The story flowed from meeting to finally getting it all right. It was easy to read without everything being solved too fast or easy. I like a little struggle in a story. I definitely recommend this story.
February 3, 2019
This is why I love reading!
If you are looking for a read that'll pull all your emotions, this is the book for you. Seriously, there were moments that broke my heart and some where I wanted to reach in and smack someone. There were also sweet beautiful moments and times when I had to laugh. This isn't full of a lot of sexy times. Those times were definitely story and character driven which in my opinion make them perfect and just the right amount. What was really interesting to me was that since I love not far from Atlanta I could visualize some of the locations. Though I am not a city girl and think where I'm at is too busy and crowded, it had a good familiar feel. I definitely hope we get Tod's story. Since this is a republished work in going to see if it was done. I've only read one other book by this author but I know I'll be reading many more.
If you are looking for a read that'll pull all your emotions, this is the book for you. Seriously, there were moments that broke my heart and some where I wanted to reach in and smack someone. There were also sweet beautiful moments and times when I had to laugh. This isn't full of a lot of sexy times. Those times were definitely story and character driven which in my opinion make them perfect and just the right amount. What was really interesting to me was that since I love not far from Atlanta I could visualize some of the locations. Though I am not a city girl and think where I'm at is too busy and crowded, it had a good familiar feel. I definitely hope we get Tod's story. Since this is a republished work in going to see if it was done. I've only read one other book by this author but I know I'll be reading many more.
January 17, 2021
Eh
This book started at a 5 because the story was well paced the characters were interesting and you got a good feel for who they were and what their hang ups were right off the bat. The editing and all that was great which is usually a 5 for me and i never knock a book just because i didn't vibe with it. But from maybe 15-20% into the story on it was dryyyyyyyyyy. The arc was just.... Unremarkable maybe? the chemistry between the characters was mild. The initial conflict between the main characters is rehashed over and over in the story so you already know what the conclusion will be and i ended up skimming most. There was nothing really interesting that happened and it was honestly just long and drawn out. If you like mild relatively safe stories with tidy bows all around then this is a good book for you.
This book started at a 5 because the story was well paced the characters were interesting and you got a good feel for who they were and what their hang ups were right off the bat. The editing and all that was great which is usually a 5 for me and i never knock a book just because i didn't vibe with it. But from maybe 15-20% into the story on it was dryyyyyyyyyy. The arc was just.... Unremarkable maybe? the chemistry between the characters was mild. The initial conflict between the main characters is rehashed over and over in the story so you already know what the conclusion will be and i ended up skimming most. There was nothing really interesting that happened and it was honestly just long and drawn out. If you like mild relatively safe stories with tidy bows all around then this is a good book for you.
November 20, 2018
This fantastic book is the combination of two previous releases, Connection and Trust. This heart rending, poignant, intense, raw, gritty, grab-you-by-the-feels, hopeless yet hopeful, dark, smoldering, extremely painful, powerful, bittersweet, no holds barred, and totally awesome story had me hooked from beginning to end. If you're looking for something light and fluffy, I would recommend looking elsewhere, but if you want a tale guaranteed to shatter your heart into a million pieces, run them through a grinder, spit them out the other side, and put them back together in a way that will leave you breathless and thinking about it long after you finish it, then I would DEFINITELY recommend one clicking this marvelous book immediately.
November 14, 2018
Just because
This is in no way light and fluffy reading, it's angsty, raw, and wonderful. These characters have been so wronged by the people they should have been able to trust that it's amazing they still have the ability to let anyone in. Evan is such a stong person, he's mature beyond his years and Jeremy...well he has a bit of growing up to do. They worked so hard to realize that, "Yes, I am worthy of being loved." They fill in the empty spaces in each other's hearts. I absolutely loved them and the awesome cast of secondary characters, we also get to see Stephen and Russ from the Equals series.
This is in no way light and fluffy reading, it's angsty, raw, and wonderful. These characters have been so wronged by the people they should have been able to trust that it's amazing they still have the ability to let anyone in. Evan is such a stong person, he's mature beyond his years and Jeremy...well he has a bit of growing up to do. They worked so hard to realize that, "Yes, I am worthy of being loved." They fill in the empty spaces in each other's hearts. I absolutely loved them and the awesome cast of secondary characters, we also get to see Stephen and Russ from the Equals series.
November 20, 2018
Trust The Connection is the re-release of two previously published books by Brigham Vaughn - Connection and Trust. This is the story of two men, Evan and Jeremy, who are at two different points in their life but forge a connection that is strong and true. If only they can trust themselves and each other to see what it leads to.
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A well told tale that will captivate you and give you all the feels. I loved the interaction between the characters and the story was truly satisfying.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation
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A well told tale that will captivate you and give you all the feels. I loved the interaction between the characters and the story was truly satisfying.
I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation
April 7, 2020
I don't know if you'd class this story as a spin-off of the Equals series or book #5 but either way it shouldn't be read as a stand-alone. The secondary characters from the books in the Equals series play a big role in this one.
This was my favorite of the series/spin-off. I love the MCs, Evan and Jeremy and their story was both heartbreaking and beautiful.
TAGS
-- sweet -- beautiful romance -- age difference -- angst -- how not to be a parent -- family and friends -- loved the MCs... Evan & Jeremy -- hurt/comfort -- disability -- made me teary -- made me laugh -- swoon worthy -- felt a bit long -- will miss all of the guys in the Equals series
This was my favorite of the series/spin-off. I love the MCs, Evan and Jeremy and their story was both heartbreaking and beautiful.
TAGS
-- sweet -- beautiful romance -- age difference -- angst -- how not to be a parent -- family and friends -- loved the MCs... Evan & Jeremy -- hurt/comfort -- disability -- made me teary -- made me laugh -- swoon worthy -- felt a bit long -- will miss all of the guys in the Equals series
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