REVIEW: Stepping Up by Jay Leigh (City Boys Never Sleep #2)

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STEPPING UP

City Boys Never Sleep - Book Two

by Jay Leigh

Release Date: April 5, 2024

Review

Twins Mason and Shiloh will break your heart with the things they’ve endured, including losing a father before they knew how much he loved them. It was difficult watching Mason in book one as he struggled to deal with Shiloh finding someone to love that wasn’t him. But it’s all part of their journey, finding their way in this new life. And for Mason, this new life in this big city is a struggle. It’s A LOT!


But in the process, he finds a friend. Wickham.


Wickham has his own issues - mainly dealing with his horrible mother and absent father. He wants to live his own life, choose his own career, and find his own life partner, but Mommy Dearest isn’t making it easy.


These show each other so much kindness and support, and a safe place for them each to find their way. It’s not just grandiose things, it’s the small moments too. 


These two, along with Shiloh, Trey, and Mags make an amazing found family. Full of growth and tenderness.


Add to your TBR List

GOODREADS LINK

Synopsis

One man’s tortured past clashes with another man's fear of the future as they stumble through life’s twists and turns.


Mason Talbot is living the dream life in the City that Never Sleeps.


But despite his newfound financial security and loving support system, he can’t shake the ghosts that still haunt him. He always prided himself on being the sturdy foundation and strong protector for his twin brother. Underneath this mask hides a broken man without a clue about who he really is or what he wants from life. He flounders even more when surprising new feelings begin to take root whenever he thinks about his uptight assistant.


Wickham Bennet is a man who thrives on routine.


His carefully crafted regimen staves off his paralyzing dread over a future he doesn't want, but the scaffolding was destroyed when Mason came crashing into his life. He shouldn't want what he can't have, but his heart takes the wheel and sends them both careening into the unknown without a road map. And as much as he wants to steer things back on course, fate has other plans.


One tragic incident after another drags them into a spiral of uncertainty.


As Mason’s past returns to haunt him, Wickham’s desperation to maintain distance suffers, and they are left clinging to one another as the facades crumble. Stripped bare and cut raw, they must confront the old habits holding them back and rebuild their foundations or risk losing it all. And the only way to move toward the future is to let go of the past.


STEPPING UP is the second book in the City Boys Never Sleep series, a trilogy of contemporary gay romance novels set in NYC that should be read in order of appearance. This novel follows the bi-awakening, friends-to-lovers story of Mason and Wickham. Intended for an adult audience, the narrative explores heavy topics, and reader discretion is advised. Please consult the author’s website for a comprehensive reader advisory.

About Jay Leigh

Jay Leigh is an author (duh) as well as a voracious reader of primarily M/M romance novels filled with all sorts of goodies like action, suspense, emotions, and spice. Lots of spice.


Plot twist: It’s actually just three mischievous raccoons in a trench coat fueled by levels of caffeine known to cause cancer in the state of California. Good thing they live in New York!


Where to find them:


Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | BookBub | Facebook Group | Newsletter | TikTok

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