✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ FOUR-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩

> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
Man in foreground, boat on the water behind him. Title in banner and author font are nicely visible. Cover does not seem like it matches the story, but the model caught my eye and got me to read the synopsis. The synopsis is what drew me in to read the book.

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> First person, Nathan's perspective. Epilogue in Mack's POV
Setting: UK

Two guys meet in a gay bar... sounds like the opening line to a joke, huh? Well, the joke was on Nathan and Mack when their attraction led to a hookup, then the next day, they discovered they were stepbrothers.
Mack had been estranged from his father for quite a long time and only showed up because his half-sister was sick and in need of a donor sooner rather than later.
Nathan was "a fixer" but despite his best effort, he was not a viable match for his half-sister, Rosie.
The lead characters were not without their flaws but it humanized them and made them all that much more enjoyable. Their chemistry felt naturally progressive. The secondary cast was well-placed. Interaction was good. Dialogue was smart. There were several instances where the UK terminology threw me and I had no clue what was meant but, overlooking that, the plot flowed well.
There were some internal conflicts and some issues from the past that were unresolved that needed to be worked through. By the end, it seemed that most of it was ironed out and provided the guys an implied HEA ending.
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Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.125 ~ Stars: 4
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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

Nathan is a fixer. He left his London marketing career to come home to Porthkennack to save Dilly's - the ice cream shop his stepfather Derek started - and now he's part-owner and up to his neck in taxes, bills and scheduling. He wishes that he was able to donor his liver to his sister, but isn't a match. Even when Nathan meets a long, lean, very hot guy at the bar one night, he's thinking of how to "fix" him. Mack claims he just wants to fuck, but Nathan senses Mack's vulnerability and knows he craves intimacy:

Somehow, I just knew this was exactly what Mack needed. The way he’d pressed his head against my hand as I’d stroked his hair. The way he so eagerly sucked me down, then told me he needed nothing. These clues pointed to a man who wasn’t comfortable asking for things with words but his body was crying out for what he needed, silently begging me. For some reason, it felt like I could read him—and that maybe he could read me too.

When it turns out that Mack is Derek's son from a early marriage AND is donating part of his liver to Nathan's kid sister Rosie, things get ... complicated. Mack ends up rooming with Nathan during his post-surgery recovery period and their relationship develops slowly and carefully. Mack isn't comfortable with expressing much of anything, but it is well worth the wait as Mack and Nathan sort out their feelings and realize how deep their emotional connection runs.

Tribute Act is also a story of family relationships and how difficult it can be to get beyond angry words and actions to arrive at the hurt feelings and fear, and then move past them to create a stronger family bond. I love the family Joanna Chambers gives us here, complete with its laughter and tears, and its good heart. Mack and Nathan's relationship is only part of the story and the way everything fits together into this family-based story is perfection. 4.5 stars.

3.5 stars

I love Joanna Chambers’ historical novels - Lord Murdo from “Enlightenment” trilogy was - IS - my favorite of her characters - so of course I grabbed at the chance of reading this! Part of “Porthkennack” universe, this contemporary revolved around family unit with three step siblings; two of those are young men of the same age who happened to be attracted to one another. After years of only known each other only by name, Mack and Nathan’s first encounter was way off from what Nathan expected. They might be related through their parents’ marriage, but the draw they felt was far from brotherly.

Tribute Act is more than love story between Mack and Nathan. To me it’s the story about love of family; the candid familiarity, suppressed emotion and everything in between. Told from Nathan’s POV, it gave his voice life through his thought and feeling. I feel for Nathan and his confusion cum desperation over Mack, his frustration over his stepdad, his love and despair over his mum and sister. At the same time, his hesitance exasperated me; for an adult with such capability I wish he had more confidence (in himself!).

This eighth “Porthkennack” story is beautifully weaved, I wouldn’t expect less from this author. That saying, everything seen and told from Nathan’s perspective, gave me only little clue of who Mack was. He was an enigma; I couldn’t guess what please or tick him off. I wish there’s more account to the long estrangement between him and his father; just like I wonder the story of how he’s drawn more deeply to Nathan. Those issues aside, Tribute Act delivers a sweet and heartwarming family reunion and healing hearts that more than once had me needing tissue to dry my eyes!


Advanced copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

There was a lot of family drama in this beautiful and bittersweet romance that made me fall in love with its remarkable characters. I'm really impressed by this first experience reading this book from the author.

Nathan is used to fixing everyone's problems, but his sister's need for a transplant is something that goes out of his hands. He had to rely on Mack, the stepbrother he didn't know, to conquer the family issues and to be able to provide the help they need. Nathan wasn't expecting this stepbrother to be his latest one night stand. The sexual tension between them increased as Mack moves in with Nathan and they have to face the possibility of a new relationship, and the implications this might mean to an already fading family relationship.

It was a fantastic book. I really loved it. It is a little slow paced so I guess some readers would have an issue with that, but I felt it was very appropriate for the kind of story that was being told. The plot isn't as simple as it seemed in the blurb. The heavy emotional baggage Mack has makes things a lot more complicated than it appears. And Nathan's constant need to fix other's problems also puts him in complex situations at times.

Mack's problems with intimacy made their relationship stumble a lot, but it was clear that there was love involved. I loved how we got to know Mack from Nathan's point of view. It made him more mysterious and increased his appeal. I would expect to care more for Nathan, since the story was being told from his perspective and we get to know what's on his mind, but it was the opposite. I loved Mack the most, which was amazing and made it easier to understand why Nathan loved him so much.

It was a slow-burn romance with characters struggling with family issues and with their own demons, exactly the kind of book I love to read. It's not overloaded with a lot of sex scenes, it doesn't lack them either, but it centers more in the emotional aspect of their relationship. I would recommend it to any reader who enjoys M/M pairing.

I didn't have a lot of luck with Porthkennack Series (as well as with Joanna Chambers's books). It is why I'm glad, I didn't completely give up on it (and her). Tribute Act is definitely my favorite novel in the series.

BUT the blurb chosen for this book is rather unfortunate. My luck was (and I really see it as a happy coincidence), I don't remember to read the blurb and I didn't re-read it when I started the book. This way, a very important twist remained secret. So, if you belong to those readers who don't normally read blurbs carefully, and you accidentally come across my review, I'd recommend you NOT to read the blurb because it contains SPOILERS and don't need other reviews, because they replay these spoilers .



Nathan Bridges leaves a a well-paid City career behind to join the family business in Porthkennack, when things become really tight: Derek might be a great stepdad and for sure a fantastic ice maker, but he has never been vigilant with the finances. When Nathan's little sister Rosie falls ill, so that only an organ transplantation can save her life, and his mother has to spend all her time with Rosie, Nathan decides to move from London to his home town to keep a family ice café from going under.

Nathan is not a one-night stands guy, he likes to be in a relationship, but he is single since he broken up with his last boyfriend shortly before moving back to Porthkennack and...he still needs sex. He meets Mack in a local gay bar. Mack is hot, direct and he is a traveler. A perfect one-night-stand. Isn't it is what Nathan wants? But there is something vulnerable about Mack, Nathan can sense his unhappiness, his fragility. "Don't go. Hold me."

Even if Nathan wakes up alone in the hotel bad the next morning, it is is easy to guess that their fates will cross, because everything between them is simply just right: the chemistry, the feelings, the emotional connection and of course sex. But there is also more to this story than a one-night-stands becomes a love story, and I really think that readers should find it by themselves and not to be informed about it in advance.

I'd like actually to thank the author for bringing one (for me) really important topic: a family relationship that I don't see very often in my books. We have rather evil stepdads or perfect stepdads. But RL is much more complicated than THAT. I don't want to give something away, but I have to say, that I know such kind of situation very well.

It is a touching and emotional, well written MM romance, where a family plays a very important role. This book made me cry (normally a very good sign) and made me furious (because of the spoiler in my review). Very recommended.

Sweet, adorable, and well-written, I loved this book :)

Tribute Act was a perfectly fine entry in the Porthkennack series, but I never truly felt that our narrator Nathan really was 100% head over heels, I’m going to be miserable without him, in love with Mack. I really enjoyed Joanna Chambers’ Enlightenment trilogy, but I think her voice might be better suited for historical romance than contemporary.

Nathan and Mack have a hot one-night stand, only to find out the next day that they are stepbrothers and that Nathan plans to stay in Porthkennack only long enough to donate part of his liver to his half-sister Rosie . Nathan is an easygoing “fixer” who always solves people’s problems, and it seems to cause him more anguish that he can’t fix Rosie’s health problems or Mack’s relationship with his father (Nathan’s stepfather) Derek than the fact that Nathan is planning to leave as soon as he recovers from the donation surgery.

The family dynamics are sharply portrayed with a great deal of nuance. I wanted to hate Derek for his parenting failures and general laziness, but he has some good qualities too and makes a genuine effort to connect with Mack. Nathan’s mother Lorraine is a tower of strength considering her youngest child is seriously ill, and Rosie herself pretty much steals the book by being wise beyond her years but also somehow a typical bratty adolescent.

The historical characters in the Enlightenment trilogy had to keep a closer reign on their emotions given the dangerous conditions they faced if their homosexuality was revealed, so Chambers’ somewhat reserved style was a perfect match for their narrative. In Tribute Act, I sometimes felt like Nathan was describing his feelings more than he was actually experiencing them. I still rooted for him and Mack and were glad that they got their HEA, but I didn’t find the book or relationship to be memorable.

ARC received from NetGalley etc.

3.75 stars rounded up

I admit I was a little bit nervous when Nathan and Mack's first encounter ended up in bed as a one night stand. I am not a big fan of sexy times introduced quite early in romance. Also, these days I really try NOT to re-read blurb before I start a book, in order to enjoy it in its entirety without expectation of what's coming. SO, I wasn't aware of the stepbrother situation coming in later. The only thing that kept me going was the fact that this was written by Joanna Chambers. She is one of my favorite authors so I believe in her stories.

Then yes, of course, it turns out that Mack is Nathan's stepbrother; he comes to Porthkennack because their sister is sick and in needs of liver transplant. To keep things on track for me: Nathan's mother marries Mack's dad. Rosie is their daughter. So Rosie shares the same father with Mack, and the same mother with Nathan. But of course neither Nathan nor Mack has the same set of blood parents. That is important for me because I am also NOT a big fan of stepsibling trope *lol*

The story is written solely from Nathan's perspective. I thought it worked really well because it made me feel involved with Nathan's internal conflict. Nathan is the fixer in the family. Nathan is the one jumping to help his parents get out from financial fiasco. He handles the financial and marketing side of the business. He has the needs to make everything right. Except for helping Rosie, because he is not a match. He is the fixer ... but here comes someone else who can help his sister. Even if Mack still part of the family.

While Mack stays rather mysterious, and it fits with his character. Mack keeps people on arm's length -- he describes himself as a lone wolf. Which is understandable because after his mom died, Derek (his father, Nathan's stepfather) also left him alone, then his grandparents didn't welcome his sexuality, so Mack is pretty much alone since he was seventeen years old.

I think Tribute Act is quintessential Joanna Chambers. It focuses on characters growth, relationship, and PACKS a feels! Although I also think that Mack's long-time conflict with his father resolved too quickly, and a little bit off page. That's the thing that stops this book being a solid four.

Despite never knowing Mack's perspective throughout the book but I believe that piece by piece, Mack's brick wall surrounding his heart crumbles during his time staying with Nathan, knowing his sister, surrounded by love and family. Which is why that last epilogue from Mack's POV is perfection.

This is book #8, in the Porthkennack series. This title can be read as a standalone novel. For reader enjoyment and understanding of the series, I always recommend reading the series books in order.

Mack & Nathan have a hot history. One that they agreed they would keep private. Mack is already under the weather and needs to recuperate without added stress. Only he wants to be more with Nathan and does not know how.

Nathan is really needing to move on. For right now, he helps a man who he wants to keep. Only he promised to keep things simple. Can he convince his new roomy that complicated is better?

This was such a sweet story. Unexpectedly light in some parts, I really felt the story deeply. I sure hope we see these characters again. Compelling for more than one reason, this book is a sure win!


***This ARC copy was given by Netgalley and its publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

This was a poignantly beautiful love story—the love of a man for his family and the slow build of a solid relationship with another man who happens to be his perfect complement. A word of caution, however: the MCs are stepbrothers. That being said, there’s no hint of incestuous behavior. Neither man knew the other until the story opens when both are adults, and during their first hookup, they didn’t even know the relationship existed. So for those who might be squeamish after reading the blurb, I can only say that everything is handled as if they were simply two young men who meet and get to know one another before beginning a relationship.

After their first hookup, this romance becomes a very slow burn—slow to build the sexual chemistry into a relationship. Devon, who Nathan calls Mack, is in town because a letter his father wrote quite a while ago finally reached him as he traveled around the UK, and though he’s not spoken to his father since he was fifteen, he refuses to desert the little sister he’s never met. She needs a liver transplant and Devon may be able to donate so he shows up to help and stays for several months of recuperation afterward. In the meantime, he and Nathan are getting to know each other better, but they don’t repeat their initial sexual attraction. Nathan is looking for long-term and Mack has clearly stated, on multiple occasions, that he’s not staying around.

Much of what occurs in the story highlights Nathan’s personality—he’s a fixer, always stepping in to help others, always taking charge. He left his job in London to come home to bail out the family business when his mother and stepfather got into so much debt it looked like they’d go bankrupt. Nathan bailed them out with his own money and continues to do so in many ways as the story proceeds. But who helps Nathan? No one, because he’s the one they all rely on, and it’s not until Devon points it out that anyone, including Nathan, acknowledges that he deserves thanks, recognition, and support.

The relationship between Devon and his father, destroyed many years ago at the funeral of Devon’s mother, and the relationship between Nathan and his immediate family undergo multiple changes throughout the story as crises are resolved and new issues arise. But through it all, the seed of a romance between Mack and Nathan was planted, and it was a pleasure to be present for the clever way the author told the story and wove the romance into something strong that would support the two young men and hopefully survive the test of time.

I highly recommend this book. It can easily be read as a standalone since other characters from the Porthkennack series are not involved in this one. It’s an interesting story with a sweet, slow-burn romance and a very satisfying HEA.

Mack & Nathan have a hot history. One that they agreed they would keep private. Mack is already under the weather and needs to recuperate without added stress. Only he wants to be more with Nathan and does not know how.

I adored this. I thought Nathan was so sweet, and I was fine with only seeing the story from his POV because it gave Mack an air of mystery. I wasn't sure what was going on with Mack at first but he was hot from the start, and gradually you get to see more of the older generation and understand why things are the way they are. No massive twists here, it was the characters that kept me hooked and reading. One of the best of the Porthkennack series in my opinion.

Nathan moved back home to help his mom and step dad, as they were struggling with the family business. He never imagined he end up back home. One night while out at a club with a friend, he meets a man named Mack, and they have a one night stand.

Flash forward a few days and Nathan is hanging out at home with his mom, step dad and sister when...surprise, in walks the step brother he never met.....Mack....

And so the story goes. Mack is a good guy, however, he's a bit jaded about his father who he has not had much of a relationship with at all. But he's willing to do what is needed to help his sister who is in need of a transplant.

While recovering, he stays with Nathan and the two bond. It's obvious the two are developing feelings for each other, and while Mack tries to push Nathan away, i the end, the love wins.

The only thing I wish for was more from Mack. This was entirely from Nathan's POV with just a tiny little glimpse into Mack in the end. I think the story would have garnered more for me with Mack giving me a little insight into his world from his POV.

This story is about the hurts from our past that we carry with us and shape us into the people we are now. It’s about decisions made long ago that still impact upon us and those around us.

Nathan Bridges carries alot on his shoulders, giving up a job to go save the family business in Porthkennack and he’s always there to help out the family and keep the cafe afloat. He does need some downtime though so off he goes to a local club and meets Mack and has a hot one-night stand. Thing is, Mack turns out to be his stepbrother, in the area as he’s here to be tested as a possible liver donor for their step-sister Rosie. Could this get any more complicated?

What follows is extremely awkward as he’s a successful match for Rosie and the family try to make him welcome, he evens moves in with Nate to recuperate after the operation. The sticking point though is their father Derek who Mack is estranged from after a furious row at Mack’s Mum’s funeral when he was a teenager and they haven’t spoken since.

Staying with Nathan though is a torture in and of itself as the initial chemistry still burns bright, and living together and starting to share some common experiences, they give in to the lust and just enjoy each other. I felt for both the characters as they had so much in common, Nate; although surrounded by family who loved him, was a little put upon by his step-dad, single-handedly running the business at times but when a decision needs to be made, his dad usurps him and knocks him down, and Mack; a loner, with no-one close since his Mother passed away, always needing to be on the move with no roots, in a mutual stand-off with his Dad. Can there be a future for these two men? Can these misunderstandings and past hurts be overcome? You’ll need to read this beautiful story. Joanna Chambers’ storytelling is sublime, and I fell on love with Mack and Nathan in this stunning setting of Porthkennack.

~4.5~

I've loved Joanna Chambers' contributions to this series. A Gathering Storm, the second Porthkennack book, is on my Best M/M Romance of 2017 list, and Tribute Act is also a strong contender.

While Nathan, whose POV filters the story, can't keep his eyes off Mack, the estranged stepbrother he's only just met, he's not at all sure how Mack feels about him.

Mack, who is a talented musician, is a bit of a drifter. Restless, independent to a fault, and aloof, Mack shirks touch and avoid messy emotions.

Nathan is a giver, a fixer; he likes to take care of people. He spends his inheritance and quits his London job to come home to Porthkennack and save his failing family business—an ice cream and coffee cafe. Nathan works hard, but sometimes he wishes he had someone to look after him.

Nathan's insecurities about his body (he's gained weight since moving home and has a little belly) made me love him that much more. He's real, relatable, and so damn sweet.

Mack shows up to be a live liver donor to his and Nathan's sister, Rosie, who needs a transplant to survive. Mack comes for Rosie, not for Derek, his father (Mack's step-father) who abandoned him at age 15.

Derek, a once successful pop star, is a piece of work. He's not a villain, far from it, but I wanted to shake him many times over. He's unfair to Mack and unwilling to apologize.

I like the way the story progressed. I'm a sucker for hurt-comfort, and this story has both in spades. Mack is a wounded bird; his physical scars heal quickly, but his heart takes much longer to mend.

Mack and Nathan have amazing chemistry, and the epilogue (from Mack's POV) is just the right touch.

The only reason I'm not rounding up to five stars is that the book hopped and skipped through days and weeks. I wanted it to slow down so I could experience all the small moments between Nathan and Mack.

Tribute Act
by Joanna Chambers
Tribute Act, Joanna Chambers, Porthkennack 8.

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Romance, LGBTQIA

I loved A Gathering Storm, book two from Joanna in this series, and I enjoy that it's written by so many different authors but set in the same fictional town. AGS was a historical novel, while this one is current day.

I loved Nathan, and its easy to see he's one of the world's people pleasers, someone who feels they need to fix every problem. I sympathise, I have the same issue....
He's given up so much to help his mum and her husband and his half sister, left his well paid job in London, used his savings to keep the shop afloat. Derek his stepdad is a good man, but really bad at business, and they were in danger of losing everything.
It wasn't helped when they discovered Rosie was so sick and now needs a liver transplant. They've all been tested but aren't a match.

Imagine Nathan's surprise then when his night before hook-up hottie walks in the house and he finds its Derek's estranged son. He is a match and is staying for a while while he donates part of his liver.
Its a sticky few weeks, Derek and Mack don't get on, he's staying with Nathan while he recovers and it makes Nathan feel a bit stuck, wanting them to reconcile, feeling awful for the way Derek has been such a great dad to him, but essentially abandoned Mack at 15 after his mum died. I felt so angry at Derek, and so sad for Mack. How could anyone do that? I was cross too at Nathan's mum, she must have realised what was happening and she should have had compassion for Mack, made Derek do something.
Anyway, there they are, an awkward grouping, thrown together. Mack and Nathan are still fiercely attracted, Nathan knows Mack's off soon as he recovers, but somehow despite his not wanting to get into a temporary relationship they do, and of course Nathan falls in love....

I loved Nathan felt so sad for Mack, for all he'd been through and he still feels so lost, so unloved.
Can Nathan persuade him to stay though? Does Mack feel anything more for him than lust? What about the issues surrounding the cafe, the way Nathan has become the guy who does everything?
There's a lot to ponder here, family issues, how we make mistakes that get larger as time passes, how hard it is to say sorry sometimes, to make it meaningful, and of course will Mack stay?

Stars: four, an enjoyable story, with issues that too many people face. I felt so sad for Mack, facing what too many gay kids faced.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and publishers