Forced to leave home as soon as he finished high school, Bailey McCreedy’s focus has been on earning enough money to survive. All he needs is a roof over his head and to keep his small mobile lending library running. Books are Bailey’s escape, and he loves to share the joy of reading with those who don’t have access to them.
Tom Brooks’s upbringing is very different to Bailey’s, with a loving family, a good education, and a high-flying job—that is, until things came crashing down. Tom opens a coffee shop, struggling to build his business and reluctant to accept help, operating under the misguided belief that he must pay penance for his sins. Watching Bailey work with the street kids opens Tom’s eyes to the reality that accepting help is not a sign of weakness, and that he is so much more than his past mistakes.
But as Bailey falls for Tom, with his charming manner, obvious care for others, and group of successful friends, Bailey’s own sense of self-worth threatens to tear them apart. In the face of intensifying challenges, he’s reluctant to confide in Tom, afraid he’s not good enough.
A bright future will require Bailey to heed his own advice—people aren’t defined by their failures or inability to live up to the expectations of others. It’s time for Tom to pay it forward, and Bailey needs to accept the help and love that Tom offers.
Publisher: Self-published
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer of Simply Defined Art
Release Date: 11th November 2018
Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance
Setting: Sydney, Australia
Word Count: ~58k
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42670793-pay-it-forward
Review by Claire Potterton
A real feel good story!
4.5 stars
Since reading the Rustic series, I’ve had been a big fan of Nic Starr’s writing, and it just gets better, book by book.
Nic Starr writes incredibly endearing characters, both the leads and the secondary cast. (Except Brett…Brett is an asshole!) Bailey and Tom are genuine, nice guys, who develop a beautiful friendship alongside their relationship. A relationship which is a learning curve for both of them. Some fairly stark differences come into play in this story, with all the characters, family backgrounds, upbringing, financial status, and real privilege, but the desire to be helpful, useful, and contribute to society is very much alive in both of these men.
This is definitely a gentle lesson in not judging a person by their social standing and a reminder that perseverance, determination, and sometimes, downright hard headedness, is often the best way to achieve your dreams.
A real feel good story, a sweet and sexy romance, with a number of other characters that I’m hoping to hear more from in the future. Fairly near future, please!
Universal Link: https://www.books2read.com/payitforward
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K8QVGCL
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07K8QVGCL
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07K8QVGCL
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07K8QVGCL
Nic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn’t give it up for the world.
Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told.
Nic loves to spend time with her family—an understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and a cherished Cairn terrier. Nic is a foodie and wine lover who lives in the city but is a country girl at heart. When not writing or reading, she is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country.
You can find Nic on Facebook, Twitter and her blog. She’d love it if you stopped by to say hi.
Author Social Media Links
Website & Blog: http://www.nicstarr.com
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Nic-Starr/e/B00MAWRRQG/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicki.nicstar
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NicStarrAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicstarr_author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nic_starr_author/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nicstarr_author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8139967.Nic_Starr
