Funzee's Cozy Couch: ARC Review : Rainbow Place (Rainbow Place #1) by Jay Northcote

Title: Rainbow Place (Rainbow Place #1)
Author: Jay Northcote
Publisher: Jaybird Press (self published)
Length: 54,000 words approx
Genre: contemporary m/m romance
Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh
Release Date: Friday 15th June 2018
My Rating(s) : 4/5 Stars
Purchase Links : Amazon | Amazon UK | Universal Amazon Link

Can Jason find the courage he needs to be the man Seb deserves?

When Seb Radcliffe relocates to a seaside town in Cornwall, he feels like a fish out of water. He misses queer spaces and the sense of community he enjoyed when he was living in the city, and decides to open an LGBT-friendly cafe–bar.

Jason Dunn is the builder Seb hires to help renovate the rundown space where the cafe will be housed. Jason is also gay, but unlike Seb, he’s deep in the closet. He’s never had a relationship with another man—only allowing himself the occasional hook up with guys who are prepared to be discreet.

The attraction between the two men is instant and impossible to ignore. But while Seb is out and proud, Jason is terrified of being exposed. With the grand opening of Rainbow Place approaching, tension is growing among some locals who object to Seb’s plans. When things escalate, Jason is forced to choose whether to hide in the shadows and let Seb down, or to openly support the man he’s fallen so hard for.

Although this book is part of a series, it has a satisfying happy ending and can be read as a standalone.

Seb made him want different things, showing him a glimpse of a future Jason had never allowed himself to consider before.

💦💦💦

Closeted gay story was usually a type story I will avoided to read, but since Jay’s book will always be in my auto-read book, there's no reason I will not give this book a try.

And I’m so glad that I gave this book a chance because what I know next, the book had consumed me and I found that it totally hard to put it down. I read it in one sit and have such a great time with it.

After a hurtful break up with his younger lover at London and at nearly same time also inherited amounts of money from his late grandfather, Seb Radcliffe then decided to leave London and start a new life at a seaside town in Cornwall.

He didn’t expected that after few months living in the small town he misses queer spaces and the sense of community he enjoyed when he was living in the city. Then with the help from his two lesbians new friends from the town, Seb decides to open an LGBT-friendly cafe–bar. And hired Jason Dunn to help him renovated the café.

The sparks between Seb and Jason was instantly there right since the first time they met. What Seb doesn’t expected is the fact that Jason also gay but still live deep in closeted.
But the strong attractions that happen between the two are way more stronger than what they thought. Jason had made Seb broke his own promise to not involved with a closeted gay man. And in the other hand, Seb had made Jason also broke his own rules to not have any love affair with the local and have ‘date’ with the same guy more than once.

Things then start to become a bit complicated when all that they thought as just sex for fun slowly turned into something that more than just a sex. Trapped in between his feeling to Seb and his own frightened about the people reactions about him being gay had put Jason in dilemmas. And when some bigots vandalized Seb's café, Jason then did something that hurt Seb's heart…

When Jason finally realized that he had hurt and disappointed Seb, he decided to do something to gained back Seb trust and love…

Will Seb then give Jason a second chance?

Overall, I like the story except the part when Jason did something that hurt Seb even I do really understand Jason situation. But still, it’s hurt to see the way he hurt Seb like that. The story seems a bit cliché at first, but in Jay's hand it’s feels far from cliché because there’s still strong messages inside the story that will made you think that there’s still a lot of good people out there who respect and love you for who you are. And it’s really warm my heart.

The part that I love from this book is Jason ex wife and daughter who very supportive and accepting. And the way people show their support to Seb and the café after what had happen.

There’s also few things that caught my curiosity while reading this book. Yes! Alex!! I hope Alex and Cam will have their own story, and I hope that Will will also have his own book too. Oh, and don’t forget about Luca! Cuz I have this strong feeling that he will surprise us with his own story!

Recommended!

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. Jay has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and he also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as Audiobooks.

Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.