Where the Pines Kiss the Sky by V.L. Locey

 

Where the Pines Kiss the Sky is a slow burn romance that takes us on a healing journey in a small Maine island community.

From the blurb:

Sometimes life leads you back to where it all began because home is where the heart can truly mend.

Elias Lake is facing a personal and professional crisis. The world-famous star of countless action movies has been outed on social media. By an ex-lover with a poisonous ax to grind. His life and reputation as “The World’s Only Remaining Manly Man”—the studio’s PR words, not his—is hiding in his mansion in the L.A. hills, trying to sort out where to go now. The media is camped outside his gates, the studio heads are up in arms, and his legion of fans are ready to fire up the torches and grab their pitchforks.

With his world burning down around him, he tucks his tail and heads home to a small island that hugs the rocky coast of Maine. There Elias Lake can return to being plain old Elias Kesside, the son of an innkeeper, who spent his youth pretending to be a famed local pirate or swimming in the choppy waters of Kesside Bay. Hiding isn’t as easy as the beleaguered movie star had hoped, though, and when the press finds him, he ducks into a small pottery shop near the inn to shake off the paparazzi. There he meets Gibson Vale, the upbeat and attractive older ceramist who owns the shop. What starts out as a duck-and-cover moment turns into a friendship that quickly grows into something strong, vibrant, and healing for both men.

Where the Pines Kiss the Sky is a slow burn, age gap, small town M/M romance starring two men who are looking for new beginnings, a tiny coastal town filled with well-meaning but incredibly nosy natives, rough seas, rocky coasts, sailboats under summery sunsets, and a happy-ever-after.

Heather's Review:

After successfully hiding his sexuality from almost everyone for years, a vengeful ex-boyfriend outs Elias Lake and sends him back to his roots where he reconnects with his father, his town and meets a new man while figuring out how to be his authentic self... 

Where the Pines Kiss the Sky was well crafted and flowed beautifully... the angst wasn't directed at the newly burgeoning relationship, but was present in Elias's career and finding balance in a Hollywood world that is steeped in homophobia and idealized men. I truly like the balance Locey creates on the Island for Elias and I love Gibson's philosophy quotes!

Rating: 5 Stars

Miki J's Review:

Absolutely heart-warming tale... just curl up in your favorite reading nook and enjoy this beautiful story. From the first chapter, I was enamored with the storyline - the hurt/comfort and small town themes, the witty dialogue between both MC's - so entertaining... and random... it'll make you think, laugh and/or cry. 

Both of them are dealing with blows that have occurred in their lives and while those issues are mentioned, the main point of the story is the relationship that blossoms between them, which becomes a totally swoon worthy romance... and does become quite steamy! And being a small town, there are those quirky characters - Portman...... I was totally cracking up with any interaction with him..... And Oregano....you get'em girl!!! hehehehe.... hyup!

Rating: 5 Stars

Where the Pines Kiss the Sky is currently available as an e-book and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited subscription.