Relationship Material by Jenya Keefe is currently scheduled for release on August 5 2019. It's not always possible to meet in the middle. Registered nurse Evan Doyle doesn’t consider himself fit for more than occasional hookups. He has a good life, but the emotional aftermath of a horrific crime makes him feel too damaged to date. So when his sister’s hot bestie, Malcolm Umbertini, comes on to him, he turns him down flat. Mal is Relationship Material: the kind who thinks in the long term. What would Evan do with a man like that? As a prosecuting attorney, Mal’s learned how to read people, and he knows there’s more to Evan than meets the eye. Mal has faced his own hardships since his family kicked him out as a teen, and he respects Evan’s courage and emotional resilience. More than that, he wants Evan—in his bed and in his life. But can he weather another rejection? Both wary, they agree to a no-strings fling. Mal knows that Evan wants things to stay casual, but he’s falling in love a little more with each encounter. With health, happiness, and bruised hearts on the line, Mal and Evan must risk everything for love.

Relationship Material is a great romance about people with serious emotional scars finding a better future. Even has been through hell and is fighting anxiety at every turn. Malcom does not do casual relationships, he tends to care too much too quickly but hide it all behind bluster. Seeing Even reunite with his sister and find his own way toward being in a relationship was beautiful. I loved the honest way trauma, anxiety, and mental illness is discussed and worked with in the story. It is honest and sometimes hard to read, but so well done. I thought that Mal and Evan had very realistic reactions to each other at almost every turn, and I just fell in love with them both. My only complaint is that I want more. I want Caro to find peace, I want to see Evan and Mal's future, I want to see more of Mal's mother and the other residents of the nursing home. Keefe is now on my list of authors to be watching, hoping, for whatever comes next.

Relationship Material left me wanting more, in the very best ways. I was so sad to have the story end, and I hope Keefe writes more about the characters here because I want so much more!

What I liked: The relationship between Mal and Evan was a slow burn that centered on communication and trust, for the most part. I felt like their relationship was believable and fun and I thought it was interesting how they handled all the surprises that seeped through from Evan's past. I also really liked how well done the panic and anxiety was done in this book. It was never something that Mal said he had to help Evan be cured of, but that it was just a part of Evan and thus just another thing to learn about him. I can't say much about the sexual assault and drug use part of the plot, but it reads as if it was well-researched and had good intentions.

What I didn't like: It seemed like the grim was never ending. Every time you think Evan was done telling about the terrible things that happened to him, more came along. There was so many attempts to throw in sibling colloquialisms between Evan and his sister in the beginning and that was thrown away by the 20% mark.

There are some heavy issues covered in Relationship Material that took me by surprise. I was expecting more of a lighthearted read.

The relationship between the twins was strange, especially the made up words. Perhaps that's what twins are like?

I didn't get a feel for the attraction between the two MCs. Something felt off. In fact, the whole story kinda felt off to me.

Passion. In every word, every phrase, every move the characters make-- this is not your typical M/M Romance. If you are looking for a book that challenges you to look deep in to the heart, mind and soul of relationships and what is important in life, you've just found that book.

Mal and Evan both have dark pasts, secrets to reveal. They struggle, individually; so how can they possibly come together, with any chance of a future? That is exactly what author Janya Keefe explores in this incredible new novel, Relationship Material.

Even from the description, I fully expected the typical M/M Romance where two hot men overcome the odds, rise above their pasts and find new love. This is so much more than that. As deeply moving and sometimes dark as this story unravels; it is even more passionate and arousing.

Life is a journey, love is an adventure. Here, the relationship is the puzzle, and Evan and Mal have to find how the pieces fit together of this seemingly impossible puzzle. Even in their most desperate moments, the passion shines through the darkness. I loved this book.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! Jenya Keefe is a new author for me, but I adored the writing style and the many lovely turns of phrase and powerful insight into her characters. I thought the premise of survivors reconnecting with family and creating their own was really beautiful and interesting and pulled me in from the very first page--excellent hook. Evan/Alex, Caro, and Mal are all beautifully written and very sympathetic; I cared so much about their journeys and relationships with each other, especially coming from a place of trauma like Caro and Evan. I was very moved by Caro and Evan's attempts to reconnect with each other after being estranged since their teenage years, and I really felt the pain of their separation and the struggles they'd been through since the violent death of their mother and their drive to understand and love each other as adults. I felt a great deal for Mal as well and his frustration and vulnerability in watching Evan push him away and struggle with his own desires while they navigated their growing relationship.

While I felt the topic of mental illness was sensitively and realistically handled, the book could have gone more in-depth into Caro and Evan's past trauma, perhaps by using flashbacks rather than exposition to fill in that background. I *really* would have appreciated that with Mal, as his past relationships were so formative for him, and we only learn about them through dialogue. It made those backstories and Evan and Caro's relationship feel thin compared to the main Mal/Evan storyline, and this was particularly evident in how one of the main premises of the novel--Evan being in witness protection--becomes a nonissue so quickly and is never mentioned again. There was great opportunity for this book to bridge the genres of thriller and romance with an emphasis on family and found family, but it missed the mark somewhat by not challenging itself to delve deeper into the subject. It's a challenge to navigate difficult subject matter while also doing justice to a steamy romance, but ideally the main characters' other relationships and the non-romantic themes of the book should be given equal weight. The novel would have felt more balanced if the romantic relationship had been treated like a subplot in order to give more attention to Caro and Evan reconnecting, Mal patching up his relationship with his mother and making peace with their fraught history, and Evan coming to terms with his past, rather than just his ability to fall in love and pursue a relationship.

Evan Doyle has been hiding a secret past and just about managing to cope with life when he suddenly encounters his long lost twin sister and everything he’s been hiding from is brought back to his mind. He’s jealous that her best friend Mal has stepped into his shoes to comfort her and despite their attraction Evan knows he’s never going to good enough for him. Intriguing and captivating story, I really felt for Evan and Mal and hoped they could work things out. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Well. If you want a story with complex characters, a story that’s not dark, but definitely has some disturbing flashbacks. Then you’ll love this story. The angst in m/m romance normally comes from one or both of the main characters not being ‘out of the closet’, this is not the case for Malcolm or Evan. Malcolm has had past issues with his family and is looking for love, Evan too has had past family issues, but love is definitely not on his list of priorities. In fact Evan doesn’t trust anyone, and is definitely not looking for a relationship. Evan has so many issues, his past is not pretty, he’s had therapy, and no matter what he knows to be right in his head, he still doubts himself. Great characters (including an awesome therapy dog), written perfectly in dual POV. Not an easy love story, and definitely not a moonlight and roses romance. It touches on some pretty nasty subject matter. Overall I thought it was a great read, it had me invested in the characters and addicted to the story. I look forward to reading more of Jenya Keene’s work in the future. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

i was pleasantly surprised by this mm romance.

it deals with a LOT of heavy issues and triggering subject matter. Something that I really wasn’t expecting. Nothing about the synopsis alluded to this being anything more than your average mm romance where one MC didn’t think himself worthy of the other. So while there wasn’t anything too graphic and it’s set after some really big trauma, I still think there needs to be content warnings for: drug addiction, neglect, prostitution, kidnapping, rape and murder (All experienced in the past but still discussed on the page).

I had some trouble with how I felt about Evan, one of ur MCs. I was conflicted. On one hand I understand his issues, hang ups, anxieties, and his reactions to Mal: all due to his trauma history. BUT, as a consumer of literature, attempting to enjoy what this book was attempting to portray...I found myself rather frustrated at times. I couldn’t help but think that there could have been a way to convey all of these things  without making Evan so bloody annoying. I feel bad just saying it, but it’s how I felt throughout the book.

The sexy times scenes depicted in this book were really good and arguably the most well written sections of the novel.

Even though I didn’t love this, it was a quick read with an unexpected story, but I did find myself getting invested and I think that’s what a good book is suppose to do.

Relationship Material is a well-written, beautiful story that took me through a range of emotions. It is written from dual perspectives, which allows for Jenya Keefe to take the reader through each mc’s thoughts, fears, insecurities, and joy. Evan and Mal are so likable separately, but even more so together. Evan is a complex character: a trauma survivor, fighter, twin, nurse, and fiercely independent man doing his best to live with the overwhelming anxiety disorder that resulted from the events of his past. Mal is a public defender who recently reunited with his estranged mother. He is confident, successful, and fully in touch with his identity as a gay man, but his tenuous relationship with his mother causes him frustration and doubt. He loves his mother, but how can he come to terms with the fact she stood by silently years ago when his father kicked him out of the house for being gay? Mal and Evan meet when Evan is reunited with his twin sister Caroline, who is Mal’s best friend. Mal is interested in Evan, but Evan can tell Mal is the relationship type and he wants no part of that.
One of the things I really liked about the way Keefe brings these two together is the clear communication they share when they first get together. It’s obvious they like each other, but Evan is very clear about what he needs in a sexual relationship after the trauma he’s suffered, and Mal never crosses his boundaries, always in tune with Evan’s mental well-being. I also enjoyed the way Keefe brings us into each character’s mindset. She does an excellent job taking the reader through each aspect of Evan’s panic attacks. Mal’s pain and longing for Evan is so palpable! She also doesn’t rush to bring these two men together. Evan has serious issues to cope with, and he needs to take things slowly. He needs time to trust Mal’s intentions and to accept Mal’s love. This book worked for me on many levels.

4* A really great intro to this author, with unexpected depth and darkness.

The blurb isn't quite accurate and doesn't do this book or its leads justice. I wasn't expecting a tale so dark, so painful for the leads - all three of them, because Caro, Evan's sister, is as much a lead as the guys are - or so horrifying, and tbh, I wasn't expecting such damaged leads in Evan and Caro, nor in Mal, though he wasn't anywhere near as bad as the others.

There's darkness and damage in all the leads' pasts. Some is shared, some can't be shared by Evan because of how still-traumatised he is, and because he has issues with control and fright and anxiety. His lovely doggie, Dulcie, is his therapy dog and for a little girl of such small stature, she does a huge job; I felt at times that Evan would be barely functional without her. Caro, too, is damaged but has managed to change some of that by accepting her faults, acknowledging that she's made bad choices and by listening to Mal, who is her best friend and her confidant. She also needs therapy, but for different reasons to Evan. And Mal, he's making a relationship again with his mother who abandoned him in a way that you wouldn't traditionally consider abandonment. His mum had her own issues to deal with, and he had issues with his father, and whilst I didn't feel as if he needed therapy, he was open to the idea of it with Evan, to be able to build a relationship. And, he made a decent effort to bring his (very slightly) remorseful mother back into his life, especially with a really personal and sweet gesture at the end of the tale.

It's not at all a sweet tale or a romantic one or a nice one, as it's too dark for that. But, it is a very good tale, one that will draw you in and make you feel for the characters. It's not an out-and-out romance, but it is a story where someone who loves someone makes that someone heal in some, not all, ways - sorry for all the somes! I did end this book feeling as if the leads were on the right path, individually and jointly, but I suspect it won't ever be a bed of roses for Evan and Mal, and that there may be more time apart for them before they're together forever. But, I did feel like Mal would be his rock, come what may. Not a doormat, despite Caro's concerns, but his rock. Him and Dulcie.

ARC courtesy of Riptide Publishing and NetGalley, for my reading pleasure.

Review will be posted in full on my blog/goodreads on July 5, 2019.

Evan Doyle is a registered nurse living with a panic disorder that is all part of the history he carries with him. It’s a history no one knows about because Evan’s life has been reinvented after a violent and traumatic past. It was a past that even forced Evan to abandon what was left of his family. One day Evan’s twin sister is suddenly standing in front of him. It’s an accidental reunion and one that Evan wasn’t sure would ever happen.

The reunion brings up Evan’s past at the same time as it introduces him to his sister, Caroline’s, best friend… a man named Mal.

As Evan and Caroline try to sort out the past and how they can be in each others’ lives, Evan is also struggling with a budding relationship with Mal. Mal is a lawyer, seems put-together and strong and he seems interested in Evan. Evan isn’t into long-term connections with people and his sex life is limited by the routines he has developed to protect himself. They fit together…and they don’t, and everything gets very complicated.

My thoughts bit: This was a lovely book. The two main characters left me with tears in my eyes more than once as they struggled to navigate the treacherous waters of Evan’s trauma and on-going recovery. This is about more than the central (and hot!) romance; it’s about healing, family and the way we navigate life. This book is also about power and control: what do we really have control over? What gives someone power?

Not having experienced any sexual or violent trauma myself, I can’t speak to how accurate the subject matter of this book is. It does read as well thought out and well-intentioned. This book might be triggering for anyone who has lived through a similar experience.

One of the things I appreciated most was that Evan is a registered nurse. I know from personal experience that people will often ask those living with panic/anxiety hor they are able to “do a job” that some perceive as stressful. I loved the way that Evan was able to explain that he enjoyed his work. The descriptions of panic and anxiety seemed true to my experience of them, and I appreciated that the author consistently gave Evan a voice that was confident even when he was uncertain.

As walled off and uncertain Evan is, Mal is also a flawed character and I liked that the author put them on level ground with one another. If there’s a lesson to be learned from the slowly evolving romance in this book, it’s that we are all imperfect and none of us can know what those around us have lived through.

The relationship between Mal and Evan was sweet, caring and complex. Despite the brevity of this novel, I found that I was definitely invested in these characters and how or if things would work out. My only regret is that the book wasn’t longer. I would have loved to have watched this author tackle some of the on-going issues that would come up when dealing with a past tainted by such violence, loss, and trauma.

As full of sadness and trauma as this story is, I loved it. There’s hope laced throughout Evan’s story, even from the fragile beginnings.