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The Speakeasy #3

Behind the Stick

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Love, served behind the stick.

Kyle McKee lives a charmed life. He co-owns Under, an uptown speakeasy, where he is chief mixologist. Friends poke fun at Kyle’s tiny one-bed apartment in Chelsea, but they’re the best support system a man could ask for. Unfortunately, Kyle’s lackluster love life has led him to take a break from dating.

Harlem resident Luka Clarke is a lieutenant with Engine 47, the Pride of Morningside, where he carries on his father’s legacy with the FDNY. Luka, who is mixed race and bisexual, has his eye on Kyle, whom he met at a local burger joint and he just needs to make time to visit Kyle’s bar.

Before work one evening, Kyle is trapped inside the luncheonette when a fire breaks out. Luka’s firehouse answers the call and he connects with Kyle again under the most unexpected of circumstances. When Kyle gratefully invites Luka and the firehouse squad to Under, the flirting between the two men leads to a date.

Kyle and Luka quickly grow close, but Luka’s mother and sister distrust Kyle for being both white and gay. Luka believes his family will come around and accept Kyle in the end, but Kyle is not optimistic and hides his disquiet as attraction blossoms into love.

Kyle and Luka’s near-idyllic bubble is shattered one evening after a hate crime leaves them scarred, inside and out. Shaken, they put on a strong front but struggle inwardly against fear and personal demons. As the emotions seething beneath the surface finally come to a head, both men must decide if they have the strength to find love enough to conquer hate.

Reader advisory: This book contains references to non-nurturing parenting; homophobia; racism and racist slurs. There are references to recreational drug use. This book also contains scenes of mmmm ménage and characters caught in fire.

General Release Date: 20th August 2019

370 pages, ebook

First published August 20, 2019

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About the author

K. Evan Coles

18 books246 followers
K. Evan Coles is a mother and tech pirate by day and a writer by night. She is a dreamer who, with a little hard work and a lot of good coffee, coaxes words out of her head and onto paper.

K. lives in the northeast United States, where she complains bitterly about the winters, but truly loves the region and its diverse, tenacious and deceptively compassionate people. You’ll usually find K. nerding out over books, movies and television with friends and family. She’s especially proud to be raising her son as part of a new generation of unabashed geeks.

K.'s books explore LGBTQ+ romance in contemporary settings.

Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/308e1be9c54a/colessignup

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for True Loveislovereview.
2,482 reviews1 follower
August 21, 2019
Kyle and Luka

Fabulous read, it had a very engaging way of writing. My heart was instantly involved with Kyle and Luka.

Kyle and his best friend Jesse are owners of speakeasy ‘Under’. After being saved, by firefighter Luka, while trapped in a fire Kyle and Luka start something. Meeting all Kyle’s close friends is amazing for Luka especially Jesse and Cam. Kyle has a special relationship with Jesse and Cam with threesomes at times.
Kyle, as easygoing as a human being can be, can’t seem to conquer Luka’s mom. As ‘white boys’ hurt her boy before.

Their relationship is going strong until something disastrous crosses their way and everything goes to hell. Watching them struggle and stumble was palpable and cracked my heart.
Watching someone’s shining light go dim, hurt so bad.

The compassionately way in which this journey is written stole my breath.
The environments, the feelings, the stress and struggles, they were put together in an unbelievable striking way. The two men’s personalities were amazingly developed, everything about them was just... so lovable. I already loved Kyle and Luka was his perfect match.
It’s a wonderful enchanting journey, it has humor, sweet gestures, steamy sexiness, honest growing feelings. Two beautiful men, with their family and dear dear friends, their difficult path, all together, made this into a very emotional and extraordinary story.
An absolute must-read.
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
7,995 reviews462 followers
August 20, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.

4.5 stars


Behind the Stick continues the Speakeasy series and I am a fan of this series, the setting, and the characters. This book is best read in order as Jesse and Cam, from the second book, Extra Dirty, are visible and important characters here. All of the men, including Carter and Riley from the previous Tidal series, are present and the series is well layered and I certainly appreciated and enjoyed having read about all of the connections.

The men are open with each other and communicate in the beginning as Kyle explains his relationship with Jesse, as well as with Cam, which leads to a sizzling evening for the four men. The speakeasy is more a fixture here as well as Kyle is the co-owner and the authors did a great job of making me want to visit and try all of Kyle’s liquid creations. The character development is rich and layered as well, and both Kyle and Luka are well written. The book was well paced for me right up until the end. The men go through a crisis together and pull away and I would have liked the same balance in the last chapters of the book.

This was a great addition to the series and offered another great couple with Kyle and Luka, while keeping them connected to the speakeasy as well as their close group of friends, and I certainly hope there will be more chances to visit this world.

Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.

Profile Image for Antisocial Recluse.
2,713 reviews
August 20, 2019
After Jesse made things more permanent with Cam, I’ve been waiting to see what was planned for Kyle and had the authors told me, I might have taken Kyle away for protective custody! A heavier storyline for him emerges, starting with Kyle meeting Luka by almost dying in a fire and that isn’t the last obstacle. Race does play a background role with Luka being bi-racial African American and bisexual and Kyle is sooo white (as some friends have said to me:) ). It causes some friction within Luka’s protective family, which serves to add detail and depth to Kyle’s characterization while filling in Luka’s. Race and sexuality play a larger role when the main conflict arrives but not as any kind of issue between the couple, only bad elements existing in our world. With some books (too many) non/mis-communication takes me out of the story but in this case it was all too understandable, so the reactions didn’t feel contrived. It’s always good when book friends feel real so I got ticked off at Luca far more than Kyle when they both got a little stupid-protective and macho but...men, ammirite?

The entire circle of friends appears throughout along with a couple of new guys, and Jesse, Cam and Kyle welcome Luka to their intimate activities. If you’re biased against open/poly/sharing relationships this may not work for you but there’s only a single encounter and no chance of adding anyone else. Well, Luka and Kyle anyway and if you want to know what Cam and Jesse’s deal is, read book two but each book can stand alone even if so many names can get confusing. I couldn’t always remember which book everyone matched but it doesn’t make much difference with bits of background added into dialogues and monologues as needed. The dual, alternating narratives from Kyle and Luka allowed me to find empathy during various scenes and dialogues. I’m not sure who’s up next since Kyle’s brother and Luka’s roommate were added to the group but I’ll be looking forward to it!

*An ARC was provided by the author, publisher or a promotional service and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review*
Profile Image for Kirstin.
1,757 reviews20 followers
July 23, 2019
Honestly, I devoured this story. I have really enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this one had my heart in a vice and didn't let go until the end.

Kyle McKee is part owner and mixologist of Under, the speakeasy that's the focal point of the series. He's sweet and flirty, but he wears his heart on his sleeve. While he's not opposed to sharing in the bedroom, he's more of a one man kind of guy.

When he's caught in a fire and rescued by dashing fireman Luka Clarke, he feels like Luka is just what he needs. But not everyone is supportive of their mixed race relationship and it takes them to some dark places where fear and self loathing come out to play.

This story felt more emotionally charged to me and really resonated in my heart. I felt like I had a bit of an idea who Kyle was from the previous books, but I didn't realize just how nice he was. And smart. And giving. And caring. And yeah, he's absolutely my new book boyfriend.

And then there's Luka, who is Kyle's equal in every way. If there was ever a perfect pairing, it would be them.

The writing was just lovely. I laughed, I choked up and I wanted to scream many times while reading, but it was all worth it. If you haven't started this series yet, you should. Right now. Because the next book sounds scorching hot and while they could be read as stand alones, the series is good enough you really need to read it all. Seriously. Right now.

*Galley copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to http://gaybook.reviews/*
Profile Image for Pates.
384 reviews
August 18, 2019
4.5 stars! From the first scenes Kyle appeared in the book Calm (K. & Brigham’s Tidal series) I knew I liked him. Then they started the Speakeasy spinoff series, during With a Twist we get to know him a bit more. But my adoration grew for him in Extra Dirty and by the end of it I was all “I need his book as soon as possible!” I’m so happy we are here.

Kyle is kind, caring, and loving but you really see how much within these pages. Learning more about his history and seeing how it shaped him into who he is made me adore his heart and soul even more. Then Luka appears, not only does he save Kyle from a fire, he captures his heart. I absolutely loved seeing their hearts open up to each other.

There are moments of wonder, heartache and an incident that rocks their growing relationship. Through all this the one common denominator is that they have families that love them, when I say families I don’t necessarily mean blood related either. Luka’s immediate family is larger than Kyle’s and have some very big personalities. Some of them are amazing and sweet, while a couple put Kyle at a distance. We also get to meet Kyle’s brother Oliver who is fun and adores Kyle.

Then we have the Speakeasy group and they are a family. Anytime any of these amazing characters are on page it makes me smile. They are always there for one another through the best and worst of times. I truly love how much they love and care for one another with all their hearts. Yes, each of the Speakeasy books are based on a single character finding their own love and happiness but this series is also about friendship and family.

The writing between K & Brigham is cohesive and flowing. They build storylines that keep you engaged. You’ll be smiling and laughing at one point and yelling at them for hurting the guys at the next. Both co-written series are built with locations you can visualize and recall from one story to the next. These two ladies have been teasing in their groups about being in the midst of writing book 4. I cannot wait to get to know Malcolm and see who he is underneath his sit back and watch persona.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 17, 2019
Another great book, a perfect addition to the Speakeasy series. Since Extra Dirty I was really excited to read Kyle's story: he's one of those characters that from the very first line makes you fall in love with him. Just like with “With a Stick” and “Extra Dirty” I’m amazed by how easy the story flows, making the reader feel like part of the story - I dare even to say part of the Under Crew! And that’s a trademark on all the other books by the authors, and I’m glad that their unique style remains perfectly intact in this book: all the jokes, the drink names - their creativity is unreal - and the sexy fun and HOT times between the couple.

We have the charismatic bartender/drink mixer king Kyle and the ordinary downtown firefighter Luka, that have met just like any other couple around town, and start to have fun and enjoy each other until issues and life - and family, and other people's hate and lack of respect - get in the way and we get to see how they’ll deal with everything and everyone. The story is emotional, a little angsty, but sooo perfect that I’m still a little hangover about it. But suits them perfectly, it happens just the way it should’ve.

I also really liked that the authors were careful to explain - like they did on Extra Dirty , and without compromising the book - the story of the Speakeasy Crew, how they get to know each other and how their paths crossed. So if you just met the gang... no worries, you'll won't feel something is missing. Family and friends area huge part of their lives, and part of who they are. But I highly recommend reading the other books, they are just as perfect!

Be prepared for good laughs, hot hot HOT sex, family time and a memorable book. Looking forward to see what the authors are planning for the next book - I have a feeling one or two characters deserve their own story…
Profile Image for Elaine.
1,447 reviews16 followers
August 21, 2020
A Good Story

I enjoyed reading this story.I liked the characters, and it had a great storyline. I can't get enough of this series.
Profile Image for Ruthie Taylor.
3,668 reviews38 followers
October 21, 2019
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This is the third book in the series, but I must admit my first. I will be going back and catching up on the other two romances, as even though I know the outcome, I have little doubt the journey was an adventure worth reading! I did not feel a lack of understanding for having read this first.

In a brilliant move this book combines the NY world of sexy bar owner with a penchant for designing clever cocktails, and a firefighter working nearby. It works so well, giving us the decadent, atmosphere of the Speakeasy called Under, and the peril and responsibility of saving lives. It also deals with a white man being attracted to biracial man, one of whom is gay, the other bi; a family who are everything, and one who has just a brother.

But at its heart this is a romance between two people who find that they are it for each other, if only the issues of the world could let them be ... and if they don't, are they strong enough to love more than leave.

I really loved every minute of the book - beautifully written, so that I was nearly half way through before I even raised my head for air! It is incredibly engaging, moving and full of questions that we should all ask ourselves about acceptance, perception and expectations. So don't expect a free ride, you will get involved and soon be fighting their corner too.

I really recommend this book as a force for good, in a world which needs reminding of how life is still not easy for everyone.

Wicked Reads Review Team
Profile Image for Anna Torres.
338 reviews9 followers
August 20, 2019
Love is Love!

What I like about K and Brigham’s books are the unconventional topics told within. And although it is unconventional, it nevertheless shows us the realism of what is happening in the story.

Just like the previous installments in the series, Behind the Stuck discusses prejudiced opinions about race, pairings/couplings, relationships, among others. What Kyle and Luca have is not unusual, interracial relationships are very common nowadays. Sad to say though that bigotry and close-mindedness are still quite common too.

Relationships take time and effort for it to become strong and stable. Communication is a very important key for any relationship, especially a new one with some obstacles like race to get through. In this novel, we can go through the experiences of Kyle and Luca with them as they navigate being in a new interracial relationship.

K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn always has a certain quality of reality in their stories that sucks you in, and you just can’t help yourself, you would want to know what happens next. I am so happy exvited for people to read this tale of two people who are just looking for someone to love, for as long s they could! Congratulations! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Profile Image for Anabela.M..
959 reviews16 followers
August 19, 2019
When these two authors put their minds together, the results are spectacular!

Behind The Stick is my favorite of the three in the Speakeasy series. Luka and Kyle's story is  achingly beautiful and I admit that at some point I hated how rough they had it,that they had to experience so much hardship and pain. I hoped so much for their healing and their happiness.

I actually have to thank the author for the workout they've given my heart with this book. I can avoid going to the gym and instead read Behind The Stick again. Going from fun to hotness then heartbreak and back again is all the cardio I need!

All joking aside,this book is beautiful. Luka and Kyle are wonderful, there's a charming array of supporting characters and I absolutely loved the shattering,gorgeous romance.

The best!

Profile Image for Kathryn.
3,409 reviews27 followers
August 17, 2019
Behind the Stick is the third book in The Speakeasy series by K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn. This is a beautiful and emotional story in my opinion. There are some fun and funny scenes for sure, but there are some scenes that really had me feeling those feels. Oh... and the steam is hot in here too.

Kyle and Luka are great characters and I felt they were a perfect fit for each other. Love is a journey of struggles and strengths and these two are showing they can tread that terrain well together, even if they need a little help from time to time to see past an obstacle. I love them though, my favorite couple so far actually.

I received an advanced reader's copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Profile Image for Joscelyn Smith.
1,987 reviews15 followers
August 11, 2019
I absolutely loved this third installment in the Speakeasy series. Kyle and Luka were such lovable characters, well-written and fully developed, their journey filled with so much visceral emotions.

Seeing them have to battle hate and push-back from Luka's family had my heart hurting, it made their journey that much harder. I loved every minute of their journey to their happy ending because it made all the struggle and pain worth the effort.

*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book*
13 reviews4 followers
August 10, 2019
My emotions was all over the place. At one time I even cried. I just love Luka and Kyle! Luka is bisexual, biracial, fireman. Kyle is a gay, white, speakeasy owner. There are some ups and downs in this relationship. A very bad traumatic event and a big miscommunication that almost ends the relationship. I really felt emotions that Luka and Kyle where having.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Patricia Nelson.
1,731 reviews16 followers
August 18, 2019
This was such a beautiful, fantastic, powerful, grab-you-by-the-feels, amazing, lovely, engaging, smoking hot, poignant, and totally awesome story. I fell in love with both Kyle and Luka, and I must admit that I was severely tempted to open up a major can of whupass on certain characters. I was pulled in from the very first page, and I would DEFINITELY recommend getting this marvelous gem ASAP!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Allison.
1,622 reviews13 followers
August 19, 2019
I beta read this a few months ago, and fell in love with the characters. Some absolutely amazing friendships throughout the series round out my enjoyment.
Profile Image for Karolina Cebula.
390 reviews4 followers
August 25, 2019
*4,5 stars*

Kyle McKee is a co-owner of the speakeasy bar Under and a workaholic who decides to give up dating after many failed relationships. However, his resolution loses its point when in a life-threatening situation he meets an attractive firefighter, with whom he flirted once when they met for the first time. It quickly turns out that Luka Clarke fully reciprocates Kyle's interest. As a result, they go on some really successful dates and, consequently, start dating. Unfortunately, when their feelings start to bloom, human prejudices and hatred put this newly born love to a very tough test.

"Behind the Stick" is the third volume of a really good series, "The Speakeasy" written by K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn. In my opinion the characters' selection is one of the undoubted advantages of this volume, because I love them as individuals and as a couple. Okay, I admit, I've liked Kyle very much from the very beginning of the series, so the fact that my affection hasn't changed is not a surprise to anyone. Nevertheless, Luka is a completely new character here and he's the one who immediately conquered my heart in this novel. To be honest, the fact that he is quite an ordinary guy, so different from the rest of the speakeasy family is simply wonderful. I also admit that he's a perfect match for Kyle. We immediately feel that these two are made for each other, because the chemistry between them is evident. Also, the overall dynamic between these characters is shown in a great and thrilling way. So is it even possible not to love these two?

Another advantage of "Behind the Stick" is the story presented in this novel, as its action develops in a really surprising way. We can say that its plot consists of two parts. The first one focuses on the carefree relationship, which is why it is rather simple and pleasant. The second is a completely different story, as its center are the consequences of human hatred and the relationship crisis, and thus the novel becomes heavier and richer in psychological depth. However, it is worth mentioning that no matter which part of "Behind the Stick" we read, we are constantly very interested in the story presented here, as it is incredibly addictive from the beginning to the end. It's really hard for the readers to take a break from reading, because the story engrosses them, makes them smile with its sweetness, and then breaks their hearts with the drama. In short, there's no way to be bored while reading this novel.

I think one of the greatest things about this novel is the fact that it raises the topic of interracial relationships. On the one hand, the authors show how differently such relationships are perceived by people. That's why in the novel we see people who are rather narrow-minded and seem to be cautious of the said relationships, those who hate them, and those for whom the interracial relationship is not a problem, therefore for them it's just a relationship between two people. On the other hand, K. Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn show their readers some problems, dangers and dramas some people being in interracial relationships struggle with, which I think is really important. However, the thing that I like the most in this context is that when the Under family looks at someone, they don't see their race, they see a human being.

Hatred and its consequences are also the extremely important issues raised in "Behind the Stick". To be honest, I didn't expect such serious topics in this novel, that's why I was a little surprised when I was reading about them, and at the same time I was devastated by the events connected with them. I really think that presenting these issues in this story was essential, because that's how the authors sensitize us to the problems of racism, homophobia and hatred in general. What's more, they show some of the physical and mental consequences of hateful behavior towards people, and thus emphasize the importance of fighting this type of behavior. It is also worth noting that in this case hatred affects people we know, people who are close to us, even if they are fictional characters. I think that thanks to this fact, the reader is more strongly affected by the events presented here and the drama, and thus they are deeply touched by the novel's message.

To sum up, "Behind the Stick" is a really good novel that engrosses the readers, moves them deeply, surprises them, and evokes a variety of strong emotions. Thus, when we reach the end, we really want more, because it's hard to part with the characters who conquered our hearts. Believe me, it's really easy to fall in love with this novel.

_________________________

Kyle McKee jest współwłaścicielem baru Under i pracoholikiem, który mając za sobą wiele nieudanych związków, postanawia dać sobie spokój z randkowaniem. Jego postanowienie przestaje mieć jednak jakiekolwiek znaczenie, kiedy mężczyzna w zagrażającej jego życiu sytuacji spotyka atrakcyjnego strażaka, z którym kiedyś miał okazję flirtować. Luka Clarke szybko okazuje się w pełni odwzajemniać zainteresowanie Kyle’a, co skutkuje wieloma udanymi randkami, a w konsekwencji także związkiem. Niestety, kiedy ich uczucia zaczynają rozkwitać, ludzkie uprzedzenia i nienawiść wystawiają tę dopiero zrodzoną miłość na bardzo ciężką próbę.

„Behind the Stick” to trzeci tom naprawdę dobrej serii, jaką jest „The Speakeasy” autorstwa K. Evan Coles oraz Brigham Vaughn. Za jedną z niewątpliwych zalet tego tomu uważam dobór bohaterów, jako że ogromnie przypadli mi oni do gustu zarówno jako indywidualne jednostki, jak również jako para. Dobrze, przyznaję, bardzo lubiłam Kyle’a od samego początku serii, więc fakt, że nie uległo to zmianie nikogo nie może zaskoczyć. Niemniej jednak, Luka jest tu zupełnie nowym bohaterem i to właśnie on momentalnie skradł moje serce w tej powieści. Prawdę mówiąc, fakt, iż będąc kimś zupełnie zwyczajnym, tak bardzo różni się on od reszty „rodzinki” ze Speakeasy jest po prostu wspaniały. Muszę też przyznać, że idealnie pasuje on do Kyle’a. Od razu czujemy, że tych dwoje jest dla siebie stworzonych, ponieważ chemia między nimi jest ewidentna. Także ogólna dynamika tych postaci jest świetnie przedstawiona i porywająca. Jak więc nie kochać tej dwójki?

Kolejną zaletą „Behind the Stick” jest przedstawiona w powieści historia, która może pochwalić się naprawdę zaskakującym rozwojem akcji. Możemy powiedzieć, że jej fabuła składa się niejako z dwóch części. Pierwsza skupia się na beztrosce związku, dlatego też jest raczej prosta i przyjemna. Druga zaś stanowi obrót o sto osiemdziesiąt stopni, jako że w jej centrum znajdują się następstwa ludzkiej nienawiści oraz kryzys związku, a tym samym powieść staje się cięższa i bardziej bogata w psychologiczną głębię. Warto jednak nadmienić, iż bez względu na to, którą część „Behind the Stick” czytamy, jesteśmy bezustannie bardzo zainteresowani przedstawioną tu historią, jako że jest ona niesamowicie wciągająca od początku do końca. Czytelnik nie jest w stanie oderwać się od lektury, która pochłania go najpierw swoją wywołującą uśmiech słodyczą, a następnie łamiącym serce dramatem. Tak więc, czytając tę powieść na pewno nie możemy się nudzić.

Uważam, że jedną z największych zalet tej powieści jest fakt, iż porusza ona temat związków międzyrasowych. Z jednej strony autorki pokazują w niej, jak różnie tego rodzaju związki postrzegane są przez ludzi. Widzimy tu bowiem osoby, które nie są na nie otwarte i wydają się do nich podchodzić raczej ostrożnie, takie, w których związek międzyrasowy budzi nienawiść oraz takie, dla których nie jest on problemem, dlatego też postrzegają go w kategoriach zwykłego związku między dwojgiem ludzi. Z drugiej strony, K. Evan Coles oraz Brigham Vaughn pokazują swoim czytelnikom z jakimi problemami, niebezpieczeństwami i dramatami mogą zmagać się osoby będące w związkach międzyrasowych, co uważam za rzecz naprawdę istotną. Tym, co podoba mi się jednak w tym kontekście najbardziej jest to, że grupa przyjaciół ze Speakeasy patrząc na drugiego człowieka nie dostrzega jego rasy. Oni w człowieku dostrzegają człowieka.

Równie istotnym problemem poruszonym w „Behind the Stick” jest nienawiść i jej konsekwencje. Prawdę mówiąc, nie spodziewałam się w tej powieści tak poważnego tematu. Byłam więc zaskoczona i zdruzgotana, kiedy pojawił się w tej historii, ale jednocześnie uważam, że był on potrzebny, ponieważ uczula nas na problem rasizmu, homofobii oraz ogólnie rzecz ujmując nienawiści. Co więcej, prezentuje niektóre konsekwencje nienawistnych zachowań wobec ludzi na poziomie nie tylko fizycznym, ale i psychicznym, a tym samym podkreśla jak istotne jest przeciwdziałanie wszelkiego rodzaju zachowaniom o podobnym podłożu. Warto również zwrócić uwagę na fakt, iż w tym wypadku nienawiść dotyka niejako osób, które znamy, które są nam bliskie, nawet jeśli są postaciami fikcyjnymi. Myślę, że właśnie dzięki temu czytelnik mocniej odczuwa przedstawione tu wydarzenia oraz ich dramat, a tym samym przesłanie powieści dogłębniej go porusza.

Podsumowując, „Behind the Stick” jest powieścią naprawdę dobrą, która wciąga czytelnika, porusza go, zaskakuje, budzi wiele różnorodnych silnych emocji. Tym samym, kiedy dochodzimy do końca, naprawdę chcemy więcej, ponieważ nie potrafimy rozstać się z bohaterami, którzy skradli nasze serce. W tej powieści naprawdę łatwo się zakochać.
Profile Image for Charlotte.
694 reviews54 followers
May 6, 2020
Kyle McKee, Co-owner of "Under" the speakeasy is one of the central characters in the third installment of this series. Kyle owns the club with Jesse who was the focus of book two. Jesse and Kyle have a solid friendship and business partnership and there is a sexual component to their relationship as well. But things have slowed down with Jess and Kyle since Jesse began dating Cam... and then Kyle decided to swear off dating. Then he met Luka.

Luka is a firefighter and pulls Kyle out of a fire at the local Burger Barn. They had met once before ... but neither of them pursued the other... the fire changes Kyle's mind. He invites the firefighters to "Under" and that's just the beginning.

The romance is fast and furious in this part of the series! Luka and Kyle have a great sexual intensity and they genuinely enjoy being with one another. Luka fits in well with the Speakeasy crew and before they know it, the two men are tangled up with one another. I know I'm making it sound as though this happens quickly... and I suppose it does... but it's really well written. The instant attraction is believable and sweet and very enjoyable.

Not everything is perfect for the new couple. Luka's family isn't as accepting as Luka wishes. Some of them are very welcoming, his sister and his brother in particular but Luka's mother isn't prepared to accept Kyle. It is revealed early on that Luka had a previous boyfriend who was white and he was ashamed of dating a black man. the scars of that relationship have left Luka a bit battered, but his mother and older sister judgemental and unwelcoming.

Kyle feels the resistance of Luka's family. And I really liked the way the authors approached this topic. Later in the novel, it's revealed that Kyle has some issues in his past that has left him a bit vulnerable when it comes to rejection. I like the way that family and/or friends are of great importance to the characters in this novel. The authors really explore the wider definition of what a family can be and I appreciated that.

Sadly, Luka and Kyle are the victims of a hate crime in the latter part of the book. They are attacked for being gay and an interracial couple. Both men fight to try and save one another and ultimately, Kyle buys them enough time that rescuers arrive. The damage is already done: Kyle has a terrible knife wound on his face and Luka is rattled to the core. The trauma and emotional fallout of the attack are really well-written. I could really feel how terrified both men were for each other and the frantic need to find out that the other was safe.

Things begin to crumble around the two men after the attack. This book really delves into the aftermath of a violent attack: guilt, fear, and anxiety. Both the main characters begin to question themselves and almost everything they say to one another. As their relationship unravels, they seem almost unable to stop it. It's frightening and I really could feel the inability to extract themselves from their thoughts and pain. I really commend the author with the way they dealt with such a sensitive and heavy subject!

Another installment in this series that I really enjoyed! and don't worry, there's a HFN ending in this one! I'm sure there will be more about all the characters in the fourth installment of the series which is scheduled to come out on June 9: "Straight Up." You've still got time to catch up on the series!
Profile Image for Devoted❤️Reader.
1,470 reviews28 followers
May 17, 2020
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I really want Kyle to mix me one of his drinks and I’d like to see Luka in his gear. These two are so hot together and they make me happy. “Good thing you’re worth fighting for.” Kyle and Luka had an amazing journey to find each other, fall in love and overcome fears. They showed me what it means to fight for what you want and to fight for who you love, even when that means you have to fight yourself. I admire them so much and am so happy they found their way home.
Profile Image for Janet Hunt.
3,499 reviews41 followers
June 14, 2020
I really enjoyed Kyle from “Extra Dirty” and am glad he got his story. Luca is a firefighter and Kyle is a mixologist and co-owner of ‘Under’. They have a great relationship. But of course, something has to go wrong! Watching them handle everything was a little heart wrenching for me but hey came out strong. I really loved the story!!
I am voluntarily leaving a review form an ARC that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions
21 reviews
May 19, 2020
This was such a great story! This is the third book in the series and I loved that it was about Kyle.

Kyle and Luke's story was so great. It wasn't easy for these two characters, but I loved how they were able to overcome these obstacles to find their happy ending.
Profile Image for Heather.
1,511 reviews53 followers
August 26, 2019
Can I just start by saying that this series just gets better and better! I love Kyle and his ingenuity behind the stick(behind the bar for those of us not in the know when it comes to bartending lingo😉), he has been one of my favorite secondary characters from way back in the Tidal duology when we first met him and now that he finally got his own story he is even more lovable and full of WOW-ness!

Let's talk Luka now. Fireman . . . need I say more😉😉. He has an amazingly supportive family with the exception of his mother and sister when it comes to dating another white man which all stems from his previous boyfriend which you really need to experience Luka's journey as he opens up to Kyle to fully understand where all the characters' thoughts and emotions are coming from. I'll admit my first instinct was to be extremely angry toward's Luka's mom & sis but as you learn more, I remained unhappy with them but I could understood their reluctance. Emotions and support can be an unbalanced teeter-totter but eventually you find what you need to make the ride level out. I guess what I'm saying is don't jump to conclusions because it is actually a pretty perfectly written balance between making the reader think and creating just the right added layer of drama to entertain.

Now putting Kyle and Luka together with Jesse and Cam is fun, sexy, fitting, and simply put a joyous treat. Luka being open to the possibility yet not sure about participating but definitely interested in watching was wonderfully written. Getting to see it unfold through his eyes, knowing that it wasn't a threat to their relationship was really awe-inspiring. I can't help but think some authors would have over-explored the fear of it ruining the relationship, letting one participant's jealousy overshadow the heat for the sake of extra drama but Cole & Vaughn did not. Sure Luka has a moment of clarity but it was never really about jealousy and that was much appreciated and for me made the scene even hotter but more importantly it made it believable and acceptable for the two couples and the individual characters involved.

You'll notice I didn't touch on the hate crime that is mentioned in the story blurb. It will break your heart but unfortunately there is still that level of evil in society but the authors wrote this part of Luka and Kyle's journey so beautifully, an odd choice of wording considering the subject matter but it's how they tackled it and not just thrown it in for relationship drama that made it beautiful for me. In fact, calling it any kind of "drama" I think belittles what Luka and Kyle go through both during and after, and its how the boys, their friends, and family react that made it so well written. This is definitely a defining moment for all the characters but it is not the end-all-be-all of the story, there is just so much more to Behind the Stick. As for the fallout from the attack well you'll have to read it for yourself to see if you feel the same as I did.

So for those wondering about the reading order of The Speakeasy series, yes technically each one is a standalone as it's a different pairing BUT(and I think most of you know what I'm about to say😉) for me I can't imagine reading in any order other than how it was released. Characters from previous entries as well as from the Tidal duology that this spun off of appear throughout and though you won't be lost by any means I found everything flowed better having read those journeys first. As I said, you won't be lost if you don't start at the beginning but because of the ménage/mmmm scene in Behind the Stick I would highly recommend reading Extra Dirty to learn how Jesse and Cam fell in love. Whatever order you choose to read it just be sure to read because this is not only a reading gem but a pure delightful and heartwarming love story with just the right amount of drama and heat, oh the heat, to make you smile and that is never a bad thing.
Profile Image for Jules Lovestoread.
614 reviews54 followers
August 23, 2019
4 1/2 stars!

Wow. I am completely loving this series by authors K Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn. I have been waiting for Kyle’s story ever since finishing Extra Dirty earlier this year, and Coles and Vaugh did not disappoint. Behind the Stick was every bit as fantastic as I hoped it would be. Even better in fact! The third book in the Speakeasy series takes us back to the neighborhoods of New York, and back into the lives of the Speakeasy Crew. I love the way the authors bring the different areas of the city to life, as well as making all the different settings so easily take shape in my mind. I could perfectly picture the different character’s homes, the places they visit, and, of course, Under, the speakeasy owned by Kyle and his friend Jesse. And, I love the descriptions of all the fabulous cocktails master mixologist Kyle McKee comes up with. I even highlighted a few of them so I could attempt to make them for myself!
The main thing I love about these books, though, is the characters. The friendships and relationships are fantastic, the dialogue is well-done, and the characters themselves are each so unique and wonderfully written. Well-developed characters, including supporting characters, can totally make a story, and Coles and Vaughn have done a great job with these guys. From the MCs and their families, on down to the regulars at the bar, I’m totally invested in these people now. Behind the Stick was another really good ensemble book.
I’m not going to go into too many details about the story itself, because the blurb is quite detailed and covers what needs to be covered. So, as usual, I’ll stick to my general impressions with the story and things I really enjoyed. Starting with Kyle! 😊 As I said, I’ve been anticipating Kyle’s book, and I knew I was going to like him, but I had no idea how much I was going to fall for him. I adoooored Kyle. He is kind, and generous, and loves his friends and his brother Oliver to a fault. I also loved Luka, and their chemistry was fabulous. And, speaking of chemistry, there is a scene in chapter ten – yes, I remember the chapter – this is FIRE, y’all. The blurb also mentions this scene, a foursome, in the advisory, but consider yourselves warned again! Heh.
The only real drama or conflict in the book arises from the fallout of the hate crime Kyle and Luka are involved in and happens more towards the end of the story. Because of Kyle’s childhood, being raised by a mother that didn’t really want him, he doesn’t believe that he’s worthy of prioritizing himself and has abandonment issues he wasn’t even aware of. But after the incident, these issues come to light and contribute to a rocky patch between he and Luka. I think the authors did a nice job handling some very heavy and sensitive subject matter in this part of the story and was happy with how everything played out.
Aside from that, for the most part the tone of the book was actually quite light. Coles and Vaughn have such a nice, easygoing style, and the flow of the story was great. I’m always impressed by how seamless some co-authored books feel. I worry that the transitions between author parts might be obvious, or clunky, but this was just a really smooth, enjoyable read. These two make a great team, and I’m so looking forward to the next Speakeasy book!! I’ve got my fingers crossed that it will be Malcolm’s turn for a story next!
Profile Image for Nat Kennedy.
Author 6 books48 followers
August 26, 2019
Luka is a hot, bulky, sweet guy who saves people’s lives for a living. He’s a bit of a mamma’s boy, but his respect for his mother his part of his charm. He doesn’t want to disappoint her, but feels horribly disappointed in the fact that his mother has issues with her son dating a white man.

Kyle is a bartender who has an on again off again booty call with his business partner/ex and his boyfriend. He’s got a bother he’s really close to, is very proud of his business, and is well put together.

Both of these guys are confident, and they know what they want. They are equals. I loved that about them. (Equal partners are very important to me.)

This is a character driven romance about these two guys coming together, finding ways to include each other in their busy lives, dealing with frustratingly prejudiced family members, and dealing with being attacked by gay bashers. If you’re looking for a story with a lot of external plot, this is probably not your story.

But if you’re looking for heart, this story has mountains of it.

First, I did not read the previous books to this series, and I think that was a detriment. There are a lot of characters, so many, in fact, that I lost track of who was who. I’m sure if I’d read the previous novels, I would have been more grounded. So, I focused on Kyle and Luka and their families.

Second, when I agreed to read and review this book, though the blurb did say MMMM menage, I did not think ‘oh this meant open relationships’. Smack myself in the head—that’s exactly what it meant. So… that was a sideswipe for me, because, I don’t like open relationship romances, and I would not have picked up this book if I had put two and two together. (so, I am surgically removing this part from my rating, but I wanted other readers to be aware of it in case that wasn’t their cup of tea.)

I like my love between romantic partners to be about the romance, not just the sex. So, one of the sex scenes felt very impersonal (the mmmm hook up) and didn’t really work for me. I found myself skimming them. Others, however, were spot on spicy!

The book really dove into the life of the characters, settling into the every day elements that define them. The emotional attachment the two men developed for each other and how they banded together against the adversarial world was the strength of this book.

I felt the book really gripped me once the characters were attacked (is that horrible, I want to say that’s kinda horrible). It was a faster paced read as they dealt with their own reactions and how such violence effected them personally and their relationship. My heart went out to these guys, because I just wanted them to be happy.

So, if you’re keen on character driven almost slice of life stories, with some emotional hurt/comfort and recovery, this is your book. If you dig open relationships and want to sink your teeth into an mmmm sex scene, this is most definitely your book.
Profile Image for Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews.
2,698 reviews133 followers
August 21, 2019

Already a fan of K Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn, and their Speakeasy series, I was thrilled to be able to read Behind the Stick. The third book in this series, it has all the charm of books 1 & 2.

Kyle's been hooking up with Jesse and Cam. Then he meets Luca after the handsome firefighter saves his life. What follows is a story full of mystery, and romance. And when the lines blur between Kyle and Jesse, they discover that their chemistry is explosive.

From the start, I fell for these two men and root for them to find love. Luckily for me, they get their happy ending after a long journey. Along the way, the reader gets to enjoy some amazing sex scenes, including a hot scene when they hook up with Jesse and Cam.

A good interracial story, it also has a bisexual character. The characters partake in some exhibitionism and voyeurism. Their story has hurt, pain, fear, and guilt. The men deal with insecurities and anxiety. There are some racial issues, homophobia, and a hate crime. What follows is a story of an attack and it's aftermath. The last quarter of the book is amazing!

Luka's family is great, adding a lot to the charm of the story.

I love the Speakeasy crew, and am thrilled for Kyle to find his man. A huge fan of these writers, I am not surprised with the fantastic writing. The humor's great, the banter's sharp, and the whole storyline's a lot of fun. I also love the flow and the character development.

Overall, Behind the Stick is a fantastic story of two men traversing the complications of their new relationship. It is wonderful and I love every single second of this book, and series.
Profile Image for GhostMMreader.
587 reviews11 followers
September 8, 2019
A wonderful addition to the Speakeasy Series. Finally you will read Kyle's story, a story with a lot of heat, some struggle against outside forces and family, but a well deserved HEA for a good man, a good friend and an incredible barista. Cocktails are a character of their own in this story and you will also have the opportunity once more to emerge into the lively world of open relationships, strong friendships and sweet love that characterize all the interactions among the men of Under, a circle of friends that is becoming wider and wider now. The friends represent a variety of men, having all different social backgrounds, and this make it easier for Luka to integrate. Be warned that this book includes a very hot and very involving foursomes among friends and lovers. Jesse of the second book in the series plays of course a very important role and his friendship with Kyle is somehow challenged in this story by the growing love relationship between Kyle and Luka. But the wonderful aspect of these friends is that they support each other fiercely and adjust easily to the novelties, when these are positive and make one of the friends happy.

So don't doubt and one-click this book to walk down the stairs towards Under and be greeted with an innovative and delicious cocktail!
Profile Image for Belinda Zamora.
1,432 reviews8 followers
August 20, 2019
This is the third book in the Speakeasy series and per usual, the authors have knocked it out of the park.
We've met Kyle before in his previous interactions with other characters.
He's met Luka, a firefighter, in a nearby burger joint and again in a horrible event, a fire at the same place.
Kyle is fighting demons from his past and tends to be very insular, self-sufficent and stubborn.
Luka is nursing wounds from a previous relationship and the fallout from his family's response, specifically his mother.
Kyle already feels on the defensive and fears he might never be accepted by Luka's mother.
Watching their relationship develop was amazing.
Unfortunately, a tragic event occurs, leaving both men reeling.
Old hurts and habits resurface, and it takes a toll on the relationship.
Both men suffer from guilt, believing themselves to blame for the situation. There are misunderstandings on both their parts.
Kyle finally realizes he needs help to let go of his toxic past, and Luka comes to the realization that he can't let his fear of what could be ruin his future with Kyle.
Despite their struggle in the wake of this horrific event, these men come out stronger on the other side of it, both individually and as a couple to their well deserved HEA.
1,558 reviews15 followers
August 20, 2019
Behind the Stick is a great addition to the Speakeasy series. We have Kyle and Luca, both single successful men in their line of work. Kyle is a mixologist and Luca is a firefighter. The attraction for each other is seen from the very beginning and it's shown throughout the book. Luca comes from a family that is very protective of him because of his past relationship and Kyle is a very smart, loveable man with a younger brother and his Speakeasy family. The two men have a great relationship from the start they talk about what they want, needs, and expectations they are looking for in each other.
The book is believable that you can feel every emotion coming from these two characters. Every scene is well written it's like you on the outside looking in. I'm glad that they were able to sit down and talk about what happened to them. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
Profile Image for AL.
1,389 reviews10 followers
August 20, 2019
If you are looking for an emotional rollercoaster with two amazing men at the center, you’re in for a treat. The authors, as usual, did an awesome job presenting a story of two great MCs trying to figure it out in the big world.
I had a total soft spot for Kyle since forever so I may be biased, but I’d say this part of the series is the best yet! All the ot twists and feelings make for an incredibly immersive book. The level of insight we get into the emotions and the amount of angst is just perfect!
Cant wait for what’s next in store for the Speakeasy crew for sure.

I received an ARC copy and leave a totally honest review.
161 reviews3 followers
August 24, 2019
I've debated how to review this book. This is the first book of this series that I've read and have read other stories by these authors. I believe that if I had read the previous two books I would have had a better reaction to this story. Please don't get me wrong, the authors wrote an amazing story with fully fleshed out characters. I was enjoying the story up until a scene threw me out of the story. After that point it was hard for me to reconcile the characters to that scene. For me personally it didn't work. I did like how the authors made Kyle & Luka work for their HEA. Both characters were well written and the drinks that Kyle kept making had me wanting a drink.
Profile Image for Pat.
1,364 reviews16 followers
August 27, 2019
I cannot get enough of these guys they all have such a story to tell ...
These authors can write a consuming book and I just fall into the pages and devour every word.
This book is no exception , Kyle and Luca , two beautiful men , their love is open then a disaster occurs , it could be a cross roads for them or can they make it work?
Such a wonderful , captivating read with beautiful MC's .
This whole series is brilliant just brilliant ... I always want more of these ...
So very much more than five stars ...
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