In the Middle of Somewhere: Middle of Somewhere, Book 1

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 3,770 ratings

Price: 21.83

Last update: 08-05-2024


Top reviews from the United States

Dianne T.
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite reads of 2015
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2015
I want to thank my book buddy, Janice, for her recommendation.

*Note: This story is written in first person, present tense, which I know is not everyone’s cuppa. Could be your loss though – just sayin!

This book grabbed me by the gut and wrapped itself around my heart. It has become one of my favorite reads of this year. Daniel and Rex are incredible, intriguing leading men. I absolutely fell in love with Daniel’s inner voice, as well as his outer one. Writing this story from his POV, really worked for me as his impressions of the world around him, his new town, the people, the atmosphere, even Rex, made me feel as though I were experiencing them myself. The added mix of a fated dog, good cooking, musical references, and a setting in my native Michigan didn’t hurt. ;-)

The basic plot for ‘In The Middle of Somewhere’ seems fairly simple. Two “opposite” type men meet in an unlikely location, are attracted to each other, get to know each other, and end up realizing they are as necessary to each other as the air they breathe. Thing is, this story, this author’s writing, is anything but simple. As with most people, Daniel and Rex are both products of their pasts -their childhoods, their family dynamics, their personal successes, struggles, and deepest hurts. They have both built walls around their true emotions. They share the trait of making judgements about others based on pre-conceived notions, and acting defensively out of self- preservation. Subconscious it may be, but it sure plays havoc on their budding relationship – whatever it may be. As I was reading, there were occasions which made me sit up with my mouth gaping, thinking “oh wow, that’s what has been going on with him/them.” Seems I had been guilty of preconceptions too. Brilliant writing.

Daniel and Rex are attracted to each other, and okay, sex is a pretty easy fall- back position. No emotion necessary, right? Wham bam and maybe a thank you. Only… not so quick. Even early on, both men are getting something from the other that they have been missing. And I don’t mean generic sex. Of the two, Daniel is the less aware (accepting?) of this fact. Gradually they begin to push each other’s boundaries, to find out more of what is under the other man’s skin. Through genuine caring, gentle (and not so gentle) coaxing and a few more of life’s hard knocks, there is a shift in their relationship. They are able to demonstrate vulnerability and intimacy, both emotionally and physically. Raw, wounded, and craving emotional closeness, this new vulnerability makes for some of the most honest merging of two souls that I have ever read. Their sex morphs from great chemistry to white hot, sensitive and stirring. Talk about getting inside each other literally and figuratively, they had that going on. These scenes absolutely contributed greatly to character and relationship development. Daniel and Rex’s cathartic soul searching – sometimes via light moments, sometimes via snot laced crying jags, sometimes via sex, sometimes all three at once – resounds with realism.

This story is far from an angst-fest. There is a lot of witty humor and levity. Much of this is provided by Daniel’s best friend, Ginger. Daniel and Rex move steadily, though cautiously, forward, often with the help of their closest friends. There are some minor setbacks and detours, but they become adept at coaxing candor from of each other. Ultimately they find themselves feeling safe enough to share their deepest personal demons.

This book had a profound emotional effect on me. Again, the writing is amazing and evokes such a great connection with the characters and settings. I can still vividly picture every location, can smell the welcoming aroma of pine, cedar, roast chicken and freshly baked gingerbread enveloping Rex’s cabin haven. Reading the end scene, I was smiling like a big old, satisfied, love sick fool wrapped in a cocoon of contentment. I did fall in love with Daniel and Rex and their impassioned journey. I fell in love with Roan Parrish’s expressive, poignant writing. This book is one of those that will stay with me for a long, long time.

(Clicks away to see what else this author has published. Nothing? Luckily this book is listed as #1 in a series. Bring on #2!)
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Dr Benjamin
4.0 out of 5 stars Phew! At Last!
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2016
While I enjoyed this as a good read overall, at times I found it nervous, irritating and awkward. The key characters - Daniel, Rex, Ginger, Will and Leo - are all in some way, "damaged goods" and this is reflected in their reactions and interactions, their caution and their uncertainties. The key theme is really about learning to trust, regardless of the past. In real life, the past does provide a lens to the present and future and, this is certainly reflected here. Daniel's meeting with Rex is somewhat abrupt, involving a car accident and and injured dog, later to become part of a developing relationship. Then there is a hiatus of six months before the chemistry between them really gets a chance to take flight. Thereafter, the intensity is palpable. Both Daniel and Rex bring a collection of individual capabilities which mesh well, wherein two halves become a whole. It is the stuff of bliss and magic although there are a few details needing to be worked through and some deep soul-searching required. Leo brings a certain innocence into the mix although his damage has been through being bullied. Under Daniel's tutelage and it appears some encouragement from Will, his horizons expand into a world of possibilities and options for college way beyond Holiday. For Daniel, there are some awkward moments when his father dies suddenly and Daniel is forced back into a previous world in Philadelphia which he had escaped and did not particularly wish to see again, at least in the family embrace. As it turns out, older brother, Colin, whose torment of Daniel has been incessant due to the fact of Daniel being gay, has a deep secret of his own which unfolds after their father's funeral. Daniel's fury is unleashed. His father and brothers inhabit a macho world of beer, television sports, an auto workshop and cars, as foreign to Daniel as his world in academia is to them. Escaping to Holiday in the Michigan woods seems about as far away from his previous life as is possible although it is a total unknown; a back-to-nature experience he had never had previously, centred around the local college where Daniel scores a teaching position. So, it is all part of his personal growth, allowing space for thought. Will breezes in as part of a transient reminder to Rex of his searching past although Will too is searching and in his own way helps Daniel to focus upon what is really important to him. Meanwhile, Ginger is Daniel's best friend and alter-ego; a sounding board dealing with her own past and developing future. In a sense, they are all helping each other reach the potential they all have as their pathways intermingle. Rex has created a personal world in his cabin in the woods where he weaves magic in wood and more magic through his mastery of the culinary arts. It is the perfect setting to love to blossom, and it does - eventually. Both Rex and Daniel realise that being together is the key thing, wherever that might land them and especially poignant with the possibility of a move back to Philadelphia for Daniel and a job with prospects. So, this is sort of a "love-conquers-all" story and well worth the read.

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