Monday, June 12, 2017

Blog Tour: It Could Happen by Mia Kerick...Review & Giveaway!


Have an interesting romance book to tell you about today...one that features 3 young men exploring the possibility of a polyamorous relationship. 

Keep reading for my thoughts on this unconventional romance and to enter the giveaway!
It Could Happen
by Mia Kerick
Genre: NA Romance (LGBT)
Release Date: June 5th 2017
Dreamspinner Press

Summary:

Three misfits, mismatched in every way—Henry Perkins, Brody Decker, and Danny Denisco—have been friends throughout high school. Now in their senior year, the boys realize their relationship is changing, that they’re falling in love. But they face opposition at every turn—from outside and from within themselves. Moving to the next level will take all the courage, understanding, and commitment they can muster. But it could happen.

Henry is a star athlete and the son of religious parents who have little concern for the future he wants. Brody is a quirky dreamer and adrenaline junkie, and Danny is an emo artist and the target of bullies. Despite their differences they’ve always had each other’s backs, and with each of them facing a new and unique set of challenges, that support is more important than ever. Is it worth risking the friendship they all depend on for the physical and romantic relationship they all desire?

In this unconventional new adult romance, three gay teens brave societal backlash—as well as the chance that they might lose their treasured friendship—to embark on a committed polyamorous relationship.

Buy on Amazon 
About the Author
Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—all named after saints—and five nonpedigreed cats—all named after the next best thing to saints, Boston Red Sox players. Her husband of twenty years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about that, as it is a sensitive subject.

Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled men and their relationships, and she believes that sex has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with romantic tales of tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to Dreamspinner Press for providing her with an alternate place to stash her stories.

Mia is proud of her involvement with the Human Rights Campaign and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of marital equality. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.

Contact Mia at miakerick@gmail.com.

Author Links:

Title: It Could Happen
Author: Mia Kerick 
Format: Digital ARC
Source: Blog Tour

Confession...polyamorous romance books are somewhat of a guilty (or rather not-so-guilty) pleasure of mine plus one of my absolute favorite tropes is friends falling in love.  So as a fan of this type of romance story, I was very eager to read It Could Happen.  And while it didn't quite go as I had originally expected, it didn't disappoint.

In the book, we meet three diverse young men, Brody, Henry, and Danny. All are high school seniors with different backgrounds and interests. Brody is an adrenaline junkie who guards his emotions. Henry, one of the few black students at their school, is an athlete with strict parents who have plans for his future, but is not afraid to take a chance and protect those he cares about.  And then there's Danny, an openly gay artist and poet who just wants to be loved, but is a bit cautious and acts nonchalant when he is anything but.  Despite their differences these three have formed a strong, but unlikely friendship and bond that they believe can't be broken.  But when that bond is threatened and feelings are admitted that go beyond friendship develop, the three begin to explore a different type of relationship with each other.  

As you might expect, things are definitely not easy for the trio and things get off to a rocky start as they work to figure out how a polyamorous relationship will work and what it means for their friendship as well as their everyday life. Not to mention the pressure from society and from family that could affect...even possibly ruin...everything.

To tell us the story of the this trio, author Mia Kerick alternates between all three characters' perspectives, but in different ways that fit each of their personalities.  Brody's comes in the form of an informal journal in a school notebook and demonstrates his difficulty keeping focused.  Henry's is more like a straightforward autobiography detailing events and his thoughts. And Danny's is in the form of beautiful poetry that conveys his deep emotions.  I thought this was an interesting choice that worked quite well as we get a view into the thinking and feelings of each of the very different young men and can see the individual challenges they each face. Each point of view reinforced both their differences and their relationship, but still managed to complement one another and form a cohesive love story.

And I had no doubt these characters cared deeply for one another. It was evident from the beginning of the story even if none of them had confirmed or expressed it directly yet.  I enjoyed reading as their relationship grew and changed in ways none of them expected.  I was even surprised a few times myself.  And I genuinely liked all three of the young men and wanted things to work out for them as I became emotionally invested in their relationship with each page.  You wouldn't expect three such different teens to connect so well, but I could see how they just seem to fit or connect with one another despite their obvious differences.  And if you're wondering just how far their relationship goes, things do turn sexual for the three, but it's not too explicit, in my opinion, and the author handles it in a loving way.

This was a very enjoyable and a tiny bit of an emotional read for me that was everything I had hoped.  Things don't happen overnight or immediately for the three longtime friends. And they face several obstacles as they try to deal with their budding romance and the feelings and emotions it evokes in not only themselves but in others.  It all happens in what I felt was a realistic and believable way.  Each has his own hopes as well as doubts or reservations about their changing relationship which adds to the believability factor.  Plus, there is realistic opposition to their relationship from family and classmates both because they are all male and because of the unconventionality of three people falling in love.  

And the differing parent-son relationships each of the guys have were interesting as well. Danny has an alcoholic mother who is usually oblivious to everyone and everything. And Brody, the youngest of seven, has seemingly inattentive parents while Henry's pay a little too much attention to him and his activities.  It is apparent that these relationships have all shaped or affected who the three young men have become and how they handle everything.  It was interesting to see how the trio's romance and relationship changes the dynamics between them and their parents.

I really enjoyed reading about Brody and Henry's individual thoughts about the relationship and seeing the effects it has on their individual lives.  As far as Danny goes, I do wish we had gotten a little more of his point of view in addition to his poetry. Overall, however, I was quite satisfied with It Could Happen and wouldn't mind reading more of Brody, Henry, and Danny's story to see how things progress.  If you're a fan of unconventional or polyamorous romances featuring awkward and realistic guys finding their way in a new relationship, then I recommend you check out It Could Happen.

*I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

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2 comments:

  1. I love and appreciate your thoughtful and descriptive review of It Could Happen. Thank you! And thank you for welcoming me to your blog today!!

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