A great way to start off a new series! Turning Tides has a mix of a few different tropes; Size difference, best friend's younger brother, lust at first sight, and found family.
From the blurb:
After a lifetime of scrimping, saving, and barely getting by, he struck it rich with a winning lottery ticket. Now he owns a successful bar called The Anchor, helps his mom with her women’s shelter, sent his youngest brother on a trip around the world, and works closely with his middle brother to help out in the local community without bankrupting himself. The only thing missing in his life is a bit of romance. But it’s hard to find guys into doing things the way he likes best.
Archer Kinsman had it all.
He opened the tattoo shop of his dreams with his best friend, Clayton. Things were going great, and they were finally making real money. Then came the morning Archer woke up to empty bank accounts and a missing best friend. Forced to close up shop, Archer moves in with his brother, Cyrus, and his husband. It’s cramped, but it’s just until he gets back on his feet. It can’t take too long, right?
The tides turn when Shane and Archer meet.
Archer is everything Shane is looking for. He’s easy to be around, and he’s more than willing to top, despite their size difference. Even if their chemistry wasn’t off the charts, Shane would still want to help him get his life back on track.
Soon, Archer is living above The Anchor, and getting his business up and running again. But there’s still one big problem–Archer’s brother, Cyrus, is protective of him, especially after what he went through with Clayton.
Cyrus is also Shane’s best friend.
Shane is willing to risk it all for Archer. His friendship, his business, even his heart. Will he lose everything or will luck smile on him twice in a lifetime?
The Anchor is a low angst, sweet and spicy romance series that’s a spin-off from Breakfast at Bennett’s. Though they’re in the same universe, you don’t need to read Breakfast at Bennett’s to enjoy this series.
Angel's review:
Archer and Shane's story was great! There was some things that made them wary about seeing each other at first, but they both decided they didn't want to let potential issues ruin their happiness.
I really liked how we got to see Archer in his element, we got his POV if sketching and designing tattoos, and we also got Shane's POV describing how he saw Archer's designs. Which I thought was really cool and helped with giving dimension to the story itself. We also got to see Shane in his element as well, helping people is what he loves to do. All he wants to to help make people happy, and if someone needs a hand he tries to figure out a way to lend one. I absolutely adore Shane, he is the epitome of a teddy bear.
I liked that there was a focus on size difference and I really appreciated how Archer and Shane wasn't stereotyped as such. Sometimes in romance books, (and real life) when someone is described as the bigger of the two, it's often assumed that they would be the 'top', whereas the smaller of the too would be the 'bottom'... In this book things did not work like that which I LOVED!!! I always enjoy a book a thousand times more when authors break out of moulds that are often written within and showcases other types of sexualities, relationships, bedroom interests, etc. and E.M. Denning definitely did that here with Shane and Archer.
My only critique is that I wish there were more scenes and moments of Archer and Shane being together without it ending, or starting with a steamy scenes. I understand that a vast majority of readers love high-steam romance books, and that's great. I just tend to like a lot more romance with less steam. I was able to skim through the steamy moments and not miss anything crucial to the story, so I still enjoyed this story quite a bit.
I think this author did a wonderful job and I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes from here. Oh!! And! I loved all the references to E.M. Denning's other series, Breakfast at Bennett's, it was so cool reading about all the little nods to that series. Along with seeing characters from that series make appearances in this story, which was just awesome!!
Heather's Review:
I really like where this spin-off from Breakfast at Bennett's is going and I love that Mickey and Ethan play such a big role in setting the scene at the Anchor, but on to this next low angst romance...
Despite the imbalance between Shane and Archer financially, we see very little of that translate into their relationship and I think that's due in part to how laidback Shane's character is... I love how expressive and artistic Archer is and how the two of them sync, despite their situation. I also love that they don't have stereotypical roles in the bedroom and that they truly make each other happy...
Almost all of the angst is external to the couple and it makes the story flow well and you still get a few spikes of adrenaline without the relationship becoming rocky.
Even if you haven't read the Breakfast at Bennett's stories, I think you can dive into this new series. I look forward to seeing what other relationships come out of The Anchor!
Turning Tides is currently available as an e-book and paperback and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription
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