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Free Me: Love in the Pacific Northwest Book 4

Love in the Pacific Northwest Book 4

by Beck Grey

Free Me - Beck Grey
Editions:ePub: $ 5.99
ISBN: 978-1-956504-13-2
Size: 5.00 x 8.00 in
Pages: 245
Paperback: $ 13.99
ISBN: 978-1-956504-14-9
Size: 5.00 x 8.00 in
Pages: 243

A gender-fluid cutie, a workaholic hottie, and a hookup gone right.

 

Blake

No romantic relationship could ever compete with my dream job. Sure, it gets lonely, but that’s what occasional hookups are for. Work-life balance? Who cares? I certainly don’t. Until chest pains bring me to my knees and land me in the emergency room.

 

It’s a wake-up call I can’t afford to ignore.

 

When my well-meaning family encourages me to make some major life changes, like hiring a meditation and physiotherapy coach, whatever that is, I’m worried enough to agree.

 

Imagine my surprise when my practitioner turns out to be the hookup I haven’t been able to forget.

 

Stef

What’s a fabulously vivacious gender-fluid beauty to do when stress is high and Prince Charmings aren’t lined up at their door? Head to the club to recharge my sparkle on the dance floor. I have no intention of hooking up with anyone. Hookups are not my thing.

 

Then I see the slightly older hottie in the Tom Ford suit, and all my self-restraint goes up in a blast of glitter.

When it turns out he’s my new meditation client and my friend's older brother, I’m sure the universe is messing with me.

 

Because mixing business with pleasure is a huge no-no.

So why does my heart keep shouting yes?

Free Me is a low-angst, opposites attract, worlds collide, contemporary LGBTQ romance about a hookup gone right. It contains no cheating, and a guaranteed HEA.

Published:
Publisher: Pine & Moon LLC
Editors:
Genres:
Tags:
Pairings: M-NB
Heat Level: 4
Romantic Content: 4
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Bisexual, Genderfluid, Non Binary, Pansexual, Transgender
Protagonist 1 Age: 36-45
Protagonist 2 Age: 36-45
Tropes: Office / Workplace Romance, One Night Stand, Opposites Attract
Word Count: 75000
Setting: Seattle, Washington
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Same Universe / Various Characters
Excerpt:
Reviews:Helle Sofie on Goodreads wrote:

Alright folks, this book was deliciously low on angst, but still had meat on it's bones, if you catch my drift. It's the first book I've read with a gender fluid character, and I'm glad I did.
I'm often prejudiced against books that start with a one night stand, as I've noticed that it often leads to a friends-with-benefits situation, which I'm not a huge fan of, but this one didn't, and it made me so happy!
I was super impressed by the chemistry between characters, too. We're so often 'told' that the main characters have chemistry and that the sexual tension is off the charts, but so rarely do I actually feel it through the writing. Stef and Blake though? Definite chemistry, and like Stef would have said, they're both an absolute snacc.
Characters that are described as sassy and fabulous makes me nervous sometimes, because it's often used for characters that are only sassy and fabulous, so I'm glad that wasn't the case here. Stef was all that and so much more, without being OTT.
Other than one 'episode', there was no massive stress-inducing drama or happening or any continuous angst, external or internal, but the book really didn't need it. It was a sweet story about two people falling in love, and the side characters only added goodness.

C.B. on Goodreads wrote:

Educated and entertained! Blake is a workaholic who thinks he's living his best life. Then a health scare forces him to re-evaluate his choices. His meditation physiotherapist turns out to be Stef an unforgettable hookup. Stef, laments no forever person who can embrace love and appreciate their wonderfulness. Stef, is amazing for happily embracing who they are. He's the type of person I'd be happy to call, 'friend'. Excellent flow, nice growth, great supporting characters. Lots of information about societal labeling, good stuff. Does Blake find his balance?

deedee on Amazon wrote:

I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters in this book, and felt the supporting characters added a lot of information to create context if the 3 previous books haven’t been read. It was an important book for me because, being a senior over 70 and not as aware of the variations of gender identification used today, I gained a much better understanding of binary, non-binary and gender fluidity through the explanations Stef gave in chapter 6, and how the pronouns and identification are used. I still find myself having to pause and recalibrate my thinking when coming across the they/them pronouns (it’s the old teacher/“proper English usage” in me) in my reading, but it is becoming more natural the more I come across it.
I really loved the character of Stef, they were so sure of themselves and their identity, and willing to not get too upset by those they came across that were not accepting or understanding, even though it could be hurtful. The part with Benji in the Conservatory was so sweet and added more to the explanations in chapter 6, and had a good message for readers, parents (and bystanders) of non-binary children. The way the author wrote the entire book made it seem so normal for Stef and so easy for the reader to just go with flow and understand how Stef was able to know their gender identification for the day and express themselves accordingly. Blake seemed to adjust so quickly and always clarify the pronouns Stef used, and was so accepting of the daily changes that it further encouraged understanding from the reader. The two were a perfect match and deserved their HEA.
I would recommend this book to anyone trying to understand nonbinary and gender fluidity identifications as I thought the explanations were very clear.
I will also be checking into the previous books in this series to learn more about the other characters that played prominent parts in this book.


About the Author

Beck is a non-binary writer of sweet, sexy, LGBTQ happily ever afters. Why? Because everyone deserves all the happy! They live in the Northeastern United States with their two adorable dogs. Weekdays are spent working their day job, but nights and weekends are devoted to writing stories involving hot characters, favorite tropes, and happy endings. Any additional time includes reading, laughing with friends, drinking red wine, and playing D&D. If there’s cake involved at any point, it’s a win!