I want to say right off the bat, that I have read a few m/m books, but usually they were part of a series, weren’t human, or part of a menage. They have been OK, but the m/m never really got me going. Usually a book turns me on because, well, I’m picturing myself in place of the heroine. But I have also read all of Ella Frank’s books, and loved every hot story she has written, so I figured if anyone can do m/m right, it’s Ella.
So I convinced myself to just TRY.
Try by Ella Frank turned out to be the hottest book I have read all year! How crazy is that? I didn’t even think I liked m/m! I mean, the book took me like 4 days to read, because every time I got in bed to read, within 5 minutes, I needed some relief, and luckily, my husband was always around to oblige. (Yay for the kids sleeping out!) Piece of advice ladies: I was smart enough to keep what I was reading private, because knowing my husband, we would have had some shrinkage, had he known. After 25+ years together, I know this. You may want to think before you share.
“So…I like to try a little bit of everything and everyone.” The words sank into Tate’s head, settling in, and then they started to make a whole lot more sense—until Logan, as usual, threw another can of gasoline on the fire. “I’d like to try you.’”
What I really love about Ella’s writing in general is the flirtatious, sexual banter/fighting between her lead characters. Try had it in spades. All that banter builds some major sexual tension, but holy hell, I have to say, I don’t know how any man or woman could deny Logan. Yum…Logan. We met Logan in Edible, he is Cole’s half brother and law partner. But it isn’t necessary to read Edible first, Try is a spin off that is the first in it’s own series, ‘Temptation’. And what a perfect name for the series! Both Logan and Tate are pure Temptation.
Tate is the hot, straight, curly haired new bartender at Logan’s favorite bar. He knows to flirt with customers for tips, even if the customers are guys. But not once has he ever thought of a guy in a sexual way until Logan sat at his bar. Logan is nerd-sexy in his three piece suit and tie and glasses, with a gorgeously perfect body beneath it. He goes after whatever he wants, whether male or female, and says what ever is on his mind. And what was on his mind was Tate.
“What do I need to get you into my bed?” Logan asked boldly.
Tate couldn’t help the laugh escaping his mouth at Logan’s directness. “A vagina.”
Though Tate resisted, he couldn’t help but be drawn to Logan. And Logan kept up his pursuit. He showed up every night, flirting, teasing…making Tate think things he never thought he would for a man. Tate knows Logan’s reputation. Logan had had half of the woman in the bar and some of the men. And left them all happy.
“Tate jammed his hands in his pockets. “Stay away from me.”
“I don’t want to”
“Why? I don’t even like you.”
“Your cock says otherwise. Stop fighting so hard, Tate.”…”And just try.”
Remember, Logan is a totally sexy, very manly, and VERRY convincing lawyer, who always gets what he wants.
“You know what you want to do,” Logan encouraged.
“There’s no one here, and no one is going to come in. Just do it,” he whispered, eyes locked on the conflicted brown orbs, “Try.”
“Do you ever shut the fuck up? Tate questioned.
“Only when I have a good incentive. Give me one…Make me shut up”
Holy shit…Tate made him shut up. And once Tate gave in to his own feelings and admitted he was feeling something for a guy, watching him give in and experiment and learn was so freaking hot, I swear I was like this the whole time.
Of course though, Tate still has his doubts. After all, Logan has lived like this his whole adult life and doesn’t care what others think. Tate comes from a conservative family, was married to a woman, and had never thought about men sexually before at all.
“It’s like you expect me to flip a switch and just accept that everything I ever believed about myself has changed, and that I should be okay with that. Do you know how insane that is?”
“I do. But do you know what else is insane?”
“What?”
“That you still haven’t told me no.”
Tate isn’t the only one who has to Try. Logan has never been in a relationship. But for Tate, he doesn’t want to change everything without something more.
“You’ll get exactly what you want from me, then you’ll be done, and I’ll be stuck on my own, trying to decide what on earth I just let happen.”
What I really loved about Try was how real it actually seemed. I mean, this is about GUYS. And these are both manly guys. So much that there was never really a top or a bottom. And they were typical guys…always horny, and being guys, they made sure they always remedied the situation.
Believe me, there was a LOT of sex in this book. Long scenes that were so freaking hot…I just had no idea how hot it could be. Even the stuff that usually grosses me out, for some reason didn’t here. Ella just knows how to weave a great romance into all the sex. And given how much sex there was, I was surprised at how much story there was, because, well, being guys, a lot of the story happens during sex.
“I’m going to make you tremble so fucking bad, your knees are going to give way.”
Tate breathed heavily against his mouth and challenged, “Bet you can’t”
Pulling Tate’s head back, Logan sucked on his neck and throat and then licked over Tate’s Adam’s Apple where he promised, “I will, or I’ll die trying.”
Likes:
- The flirtatious banter that Ella is amazing at was there in spades.
- Holy hell it was H-O-T!
- The confusion both men felt as they navigated uncharted waters.
- How possessive they are over each other.
- I still can’t believe that m-m can be so freaking hot! And they do it in ways I never even thought of.
- Logan’s snarky, dirty mouth.
- Changing points of view, even though the book is not told in first person. It’s that grey area between first and third, where you still get into the character’s head, and you still feel like you can connect.
- How there wasn’t really a top or bottom…Tate came into his own pretty quickly.
- There was a lot of funny lines, I laughed out loud several times.
Dislikes:
- I would have liked to see a little more relationship building and a bit less sex, but then again, these are GUYS. If guys can choose how to build a relationship, they will all do it via sex.
- Sometimes I wasn’t sure who was speaking.
- It all happened a little too quickly.
Rating: 5 stars 5 Heat (very rare!)
Try by Ella Frank had the things I love most in a book. Fun, flirtatious banter, characters I like, and a dominant guy I fall for. In this case, it was doubled. TWO sexy guys, BOTH with manly, alpha personalities, and Logan was the king of banter. Oh how I wish I could be the cream to that oreo!
The story ended with a happily for now, but there is much more story to tell. As much as I want to read more about this couple, I’m not sure I will love the second book about Logan and Tate, TAKE, releasing next summer as much. Part of the exciting thing I really loved about Try is the banter, and the convincing, and pulling Tate over to the dark side. In fact, the first half of the book was 5+++++ stars, but towards the end, when the chase lessened, I didn’t love it quite as much.
But then again….I wasn’t sure I’d love m/m, and Ella proved me wrong.
Logan
Tate
Purchase Try by Ella Frank
First in a new series, spin off of Exquisite series.
Can be read alone. No cliffhanger, but there is more to say. Happy for now ending.
Amazon | BN.com
I’d really like you to TRY Try. And I don’t want you to wait until this giveaway is over! So I’m going to give away your choice of ANY Ella Frank book.
Jacqui says
11/18/2013 at 7:15 amOH MY LORDY…. It was a great read. Unfortunately I wasn’t so lucky with the Hubby being away that week for work. Damn! I can not wait to read the one. It didn’t seem to read just as m/m but as a great love story, surprisingly enough. Though I would still want to do both of them. Lol
Kerry G says
11/18/2013 at 8:12 amIve read m/m/f female books, but never just m/m…you’ve never done me wrong when it comes to great books to read, so Im definitely going to check this one out!
amy Stephens says
11/18/2013 at 8:14 amWould love to read this. I keep hearing great things about it. Thanks for the giveaway.
Tanya says
11/18/2013 at 8:15 amHeard such good things about this book…would love to read it!!
Linda says
11/18/2013 at 8:21 amI’ve read and enjoyed m/m for years, TWO heroes, what’s not to love? Looking forward to reading Try!
Doris says
11/18/2013 at 8:22 amNo I haven’t read m/m yet, but I am looking forward to it.
Megan Wickland says
11/18/2013 at 8:25 amThis had been bumped up on my tbr. The only m/m I have read was in Travis by Nicole Edwards. There was a menage aspect with that book but quite a bit of focus on the m/m part of the relationship. I surprised myself by loving it. Can’t wait to read Try.
TG says
11/18/2013 at 8:27 amSinners on tour was my first m/m and I have heard such good things about this book!!!!
Sophia says
11/18/2013 at 8:33 amTry was my first full M/M novel, read a few novels but those were M/M/F. Loved Try Ella Frank is brilliant and I will try read other M/M novels but ofcourse I can’t wait for Take.
Crystal White says
11/18/2013 at 8:45 amLove love love this book blog!!
Dorothy says
11/18/2013 at 9:08 amI love her stuff. Blind Obsession put me into a tizzy. I’ve read m/m and enjoyed very much, so that’s what I’m shooting for. No pun intended. Thanks.
Joselyn Perry says
11/18/2013 at 9:28 amYou are so right on!!!! This book was, well, for lack of enough words…..Incredible:) Loved every bit of it….
Karen G. says
11/18/2013 at 9:32 amThanks for the post, this looks so good. I have not read a book that had the m/m relationship as the main characters, only secondary. The gender doesn’t matter to me as long as it is a great story.
kp says
11/18/2013 at 9:39 amI have read and loved the Cut & Run series by Abigail Roux! Can’t wait to read Try!!!!
Mara says
11/18/2013 at 9:42 amYep, I’ve read it and I’m glad I Try-ed! 😉
Kristy says
11/18/2013 at 9:49 amI have never read anything m/m, but I am DYING to TRY this book! I’ve never been excited for a m/m book before, but something about this book makes me want to. It sounds so awesome and everyone that has read it seems to love it!
Holly Craft says
11/18/2013 at 9:53 amYes, I have read Try and it was amazing! Logan and Tate are amazing together and can’t wait for more! Huge fan of M/M novels!
Maria Malaveci says
11/18/2013 at 9:54 amI have only read it once before, and it was m/m and f involved….. I would love to read Try! Thanks for the chance.
Casie Boland says
11/18/2013 at 9:55 amI haven’t read m/m but after reading that I wod love to start!
Yvette says
11/18/2013 at 9:58 amI just finished this book and LOVED IT!! Great review 🙂
Joanie says
11/18/2013 at 10:01 amI love this review! I really want to read this book!
Jenn says
11/18/2013 at 10:04 amThanks for another great review. Love this author. Looking forward to reading this book.
mlyn peters says
11/18/2013 at 10:06 amHow Sweet & HOT! I really want to win!
jen says
11/18/2013 at 10:09 amI can’t wait to read this book – Love Ella’s books
Natalie Gerber says
11/18/2013 at 10:12 amHave not read it but am willing to try.
Marcy Meyer says
11/18/2013 at 10:12 amI have read M/M before, and I just finished Double Full. I love this genre! It’s always so hot and steamy! I can’t wait to read Try! Thanks for the chance to win one of Ella’s books!
Stephanie says
11/18/2013 at 10:24 amI have read a few m/m books. I really enjoy the “gay for you” stories! There’s something about a guy denying his attraction to another guy that really excites me! You should read Hot Heads if you haven’t yet! Thank you for the giveaway!
Diana Doan says
11/18/2013 at 10:45 amI haven’t read any m/m books yet, but I’m willing to try, lol. TY for the chance.
Laina G says
11/18/2013 at 10:48 amYes, I have (Double Full , Ty Hard and Try)! I am 1/2 through my REREAD of Try and I LOVE it!!!! Thanks for the giveaway!!!
Kim Perry says
11/18/2013 at 10:53 amI haven’t read m/m yet, but I’m willing to TRY! Great review! Thanks for the giveaway!
Gloria Herrera says
11/18/2013 at 11:51 amI read this book and LOVED IT! I never knew M/M could be so erotic. This is a love story like no other.
gina says
11/18/2013 at 12:38 pmi read it! was my first m/m book and loovedd it
Amy R says
11/18/2013 at 1:23 pmI have read the m/m Cut & Run series & Shock & Awe by Abigail Roux, Matter of Time series by Mary Calmes and loved them both. Getting ready to read Love Lessons by Heidi Cullinan and the start the Tucker Springs series.
Jamie B. says
11/18/2013 at 2:13 pmI can’t wait to see what happens with Logan and Tate in book 2. I’m a little sad that we all have to wait till next summer to find out. Ella Frank is an amazing writer and I absolutely loved Try and the Exquisite series.
Erika says
11/18/2013 at 3:27 pmI;ve had this on my TBR list. Can’t wait to read it!
Rachael Sauve says
11/18/2013 at 3:32 pmI want to read Try so bad!! 🙂
Michelle T says
11/18/2013 at 3:44 pmI have read a few m/m books and loved them! I cannot wait to read TRY! I have heard such amazing things! Thanks!!
Lee Todd says
11/18/2013 at 6:16 pmI’ve read quite a lot of M/M romance now….and Try was definitely the hottest read of the year!! WOWWWWWWWWWWWW
Pam E says
11/18/2013 at 7:54 pmIt never hurts to TRY……….love, love this book
Pam says
11/18/2013 at 8:22 pmI’ve read a few m/m books and loved them.
Jennifer N says
11/18/2013 at 8:42 pmI have taken a liking to M/M over the last several months and I can’t wait to read Try!
dawn ruchel says
11/18/2013 at 10:57 pmNo I haven’t read m/m yet, but I am looking forward to it. Thank you for the chance to win.
Danielle says
11/18/2013 at 11:22 pmI would love to “Try” this book
Sue Pfannenstiel says
11/19/2013 at 12:51 amYes I have read m/m. Hot!
Tam says
11/19/2013 at 4:48 amI’ve read some of Kindle Alexanders books which are good. Would like to read this one by Ella Frank now.
liezel77 says
11/19/2013 at 5:22 amYes, I have.
Kay Sharpe says
11/19/2013 at 7:02 amNeed to try M/M but not quite sure whether I will like
Mandy Miller says
11/19/2013 at 8:05 amI love m/m! Kindle Alexander is one of my fave authors, but Ella Frank has me stoked! I am dying to read this!
Lisa Omek says
11/19/2013 at 2:50 pmI just discovered Ella Frank, and I think she is amazeballs !!
Mint says
11/21/2013 at 1:09 amwhoa. did you come up with those pic of Logan and Tate yourself? I wish I had seen them before reading…. definitely would help with imagination.. 🙂
Mint says
11/21/2013 at 1:10 amthis was my first M/M book… HOT!
Courtney says
11/24/2013 at 10:25 amThis was my first M/M book. I always seems to LOVE your suggestions, so I thought I’d check it out. Holy cow, I’m so glad that I did. YOWZA!!!!!! This was definitely a 5 star read. The sex was mind-glowingly hot!!! Even though is was clearly two men, it just didn’t seem to read as such. It was easy to imagine myself in that situation. I have recommended this book to a number of friends. By the end of reading the book, I wished, just for a day….. to have an erection. To know what it would be like…… Just how Ella Frank describes it. 😉
Jennifer Walls says
11/24/2013 at 9:35 pmI have read a few m/m books-Nicole Edwards, Lorelei James. I just put TRY on my TBR. Thanks for the giveaway!!!
Erin says
11/25/2013 at 3:28 amI have read m/m by kindle Alexander and also in menage books or scenes
Kerri m says
11/25/2013 at 8:37 amI’ve never read a m/book but I’ve heard nothing but great things about Try. I think I need to give it a Try as well!
Irma Madrigal says
11/25/2013 at 7:01 pmI have read other M/M books! I would love to try TRY! 🙂
Carey Piret says
11/25/2013 at 8:44 pmI haven’t read any m/m books yet. Everyone is raving about this one!!
Cheryl Nasca says
11/25/2013 at 9:12 pmElla Frank is one of my favorite authors so I thought I’d give it a TRY! This was my 1st M/M and it was so hot and sexy! Thank you for another great book Ella! I totally LOVE you!
becky wise says
11/25/2013 at 11:49 pmI love Ella Franks books. I so cant wait to read this one.
Mary Kris Smith says
11/25/2013 at 11:50 pmI’m looking forward to this book. I have read a couple similar books- good stuff. I’d love to win!
Darci says
11/25/2013 at 11:53 pmI’ve read some of Nicole Edward’s books, and they have some m/m in them, but that’s it for me…so far! I loved the rest of Ella Frank’s books, so I’m sure this one is just as awesome!
Christine S says
11/26/2013 at 12:02 amHaven’t read any other Ella Frank books but I did read Try, it was my first m/m book and it was HOT! I loved it! Looking forward to reading more of her work 🙂