4.5 Stars
Mark and Jimmy meet for the second time at Becky's Diner in Seattle. Jimmy is the cute 23 year old waiter, and Mark is the 40-something flirtatious customer. They feel a spark, and set a date for a date. Jimmy has a sense of deja vu regarding this man, which is unsettling. Jimmy is a recovering meth addict and he hurt himself and a lot of other people when he was using. He's been sober two years now, and is rebuilding his life. His intuition bears out when Jimmy remembers...Mark was a man he robbed during a meth-fueled hook-up shortly before Jimmy hit rock bottom and sought recovery.

Now, Jimmy is a whole different man. He lives with a fellow recovering addict and makes his meetings. He's really got a spark with Mark, and he doesn't want to lose out on the possibility of something good just because he was out of control years before. Mark hasn't forgotten the violation of Jimmy's theft. What he'd taken wasn't that expensive, but the sense of violation was far more destructive for Mark. It makes him skittish around new lovers, and particularly when he connects the dots back to that terrible night. Sure, Jimmy has his life together at this moment, but what guarantee could he make to Mark not to hurt him again? What if he goes back to using? Can he really ever trust this Jimmy--knowing what he does about Jimmy's past?

This story really hit home for me, having close family members who struggle with, and have overcome, addiction. Jimmy can only accept the responsibility for his actions, and continue to demonstrate how much he has changed in his sobriety. This situation with Mark is definitely stressful, and Jimmy reaches out to his supports to keep him from using when he feels triggered. Mark has to decide: can he forgive Jimmy for the man he was, and accept him for the man he is? They have a shot at getting a happy ending, but only if they are both able to be honest and trust one another.

I liked the compressed time frame of this story, that they connect on a Monday and their lives intersect several times in the course of a tumultuous week. This gave a lot of space to a deep dive into the character's mindsets and struggles. Neither Jimmy nor Mark are simple men--even if they truly want something simple: a steady life and a loving partner. There's a little bit of mystic running in here, too, especially for Jimmy who seems in tune with his past, present and future in the way of heightened awareness. This comes through in glimpses, with the deja vu, intuition, conversations with trusted "spirits" and the call to assist people--from junkies cleaning up, to Mark in the heat of a bad moment.

I really liked this one, with its messages of forgiveness--of both self and others--of redemption, and finding the right partner at the right time in one's life. It stuck with me long after I turned the last page. The romance was low-key, but solidly based in connection of spirit and emotion.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There are books that have no need of convulated drama or nail-biting mysteries. In their simplicity they shine brighter than many. That is the case with all the books by Rick R. Reed I have read so far. Granted, only two… but I see a pattern!! Let’s grab a box of tissues and see what perils our poor main characters are facing this time!

In this book we follow Mark (or was it Marc?), an almost forty-years-old man who seems vaccinated against love. He is kind of a manizer, using social media to pick his next conquest. At least it was like that until he meets Jimmy, a way younger waiter that catches his eye since the first encounter. Well, actually is not the first one. Mark met Jimmy a couple of years earlier, but the guy has changed so much he doesn’t recognize him. That is rather good for Jimmy, because in that first meeting he robbed Mark blind in order to get fresh money to pay for his drugs… Will they get a fresh start or will the past’s shadow be too big to handle?

As I said earlier, the story is quite simple and slow. If the author weren’t so good in the emotional aspect of it, we will be facing a mighty boring book. Thankfully, once again he presents us with a story masterfully crafted to move the reader emotionally and provoke in several occasions the leak of a couple of tears or twenty. Jimmy’s life is a hard pill to swallow (not pun intended). One that, sadly, is way too common in real life. So I love, really LOVE, the undertone of unrelenting hope this story displays. It is a warm sensation to see that even in the most dark situations, we are not alone. I feel lucky for not knowing anyone fighting against an addiction, but it is good to know that, if the opposite were the case, they could have access to such great support groups.

Jimmy’s reality is the strength of this story. Other parts are not so fulfilling, but they do their part. Maybe, the most disappointing one is the obvious drama that happens when Mark discovers that he met the younger guy earlier. It is obvious, but I can’t deny that is also utterly logical. The disappointing part is the short time invested in the drama itself. In my opinion, all is forgiven waaay too easily. I would even dare to say that the ending is too abrupt. It is not a happily ever after, but I wouldn’t call a happily for now, either. I don’t usually mind that, but this time I needed to know that their love was unbeatable. Jimmy deserves it.

About the characters there is not much to say. I have a love/hate relationship with Mark, a character that sometimes doesn’t make much sense and others is almost book boyfriend material. I know there is an explanation for his introvert behaviour, but taking into account he doesn’t behave like an introvert… I’m not sure if that explanation holds any water… Jimmy is a much better character, thanks to the fact that all the emotional burden rests in the shoulder of that poor guy. He has much more layers and his development is more precise and better thought. The romance between them leans more toward the sweet than the sexy, which works great for the setting. If you are one of those who read Romance just for the sex, you better look elsewhere. No narrated naughty time for this couple.

Really good book, but not perfect. I need to check more stories by this author. He has a nice style and a superb way of wrting about the human nature and its perils.

Reed’s second novel that I have read in the past two weeks has the same construct as the previous one I read. As this strictly works as a two character device, this works very well and each character gives their points of view which is well balanced.

The characters are interesting and come from two different spectrums of their world. We have the more conservative person who led a promiscuous life but has settled into a more self isolated due to previous experiences. The other character is someone heavily involved in the chem sex, promiscuous thief who has turned his life around as he too self isolates from people to ensure he stays on the road of sobriety. This is the story of Mark, the former and Jimmy the later.

The characters are very well developed and as we are seeing the story fold out from their points of view, we are privy to their insecurities and inner thoughts. The supporting characters are well developed and at times, come off more interesting than the main characters. Jimmy and Mark are two damaged souls who are unsure of their place in the world. As these are two very flawed characters, their point of views can sometimes be a bit jarring as they come across as self obsessed but this is not the case but more of the storytelling format.

The plot is interesting and it flows at a good pace. The juxtaposition of points of view keeps the story moving. The story hinges on the likability of the characters and the empathy you have for these characters. There are some plot points that seem sort of force but doesn’t take away from the overall flow and enjoyment of the story.

Overall, this is quite a tightly woven cautionary tale that is told with emotion, likability and empathy based on the characters. Given an interesting look at a subculture found within a community gives it an interesting perspective. Supporting characters help hold up the main characters for a novel that takes a look of two people going through their own changes within their lives whilst holding on to someone for support. Enjoyable. 3.5 stars

Yeah, you've probably noticed that I've been on a Rick R. Reed binge lately. The main reason is because a lot of his books have been offered for review in the past month or so. One of the things I've learned through all these reads is that some of these books have been hit or miss. Granted, most have been really good, unfortunately The Perils of Intimacy wasn't one of them.

Okay, so the book wasn't that bad. There were parts of it that were pretty good actually, it just never really pulled me in. I think part of the problem was that I didn't really find myself pulling for either character. Jimmy probably should have come clean a lot sooner than he did and Mark should have given Jimmy a little more credit for coming as far as he did. I spent a fair amount of time frustrated with both of them.

To be totally fair, this miss was probably a "me" thing. In other words, The Perils of Intimacy just wasn't a good fit for me. I hate it when that happens. *sigh* Have no fear, I'm still going to pick up the next Rick R. Reed that comes my way.

I liked the story and the premise. It was great to see real issues addressed in such a realistic and sympathetic way. I definitely thought the characters felt human, though I'll admit I couldn't really connect with any of them. They were realistic, but the writing was just a little flat to me. There were some smaller issues that other readers might not even notice that just sort of irritated me, but overall I think my main issue was the inability to really connect with the characters.

Rick Reed's The Perils of Intimacy is a deep and intense read.

Upon a second chance meeting with Mark, Jimmy is no longer the drugged out thief that he once was. Their past is complicated, making the decision of when and how to come clean about his identity an even bigger complication.

The feelings with this one are intense, as the reader is fully brought into this heart-breaking tale. People change, but confessions are never easy.

The issue of addiction is well handled, written with knowledge and understanding. The author expertly illustrates that addiction is never cured; one is always haunted by their demons.

The issue of forgiveness is also well explored, clearly hitting on the difficulties with doing so, and the struggle to deal with one's mistakes. I applaud the author for the way he handles this emotional issue.

And most importantly, the author demonstrates the importance of loving oneself. After all, one cannot love someone if they don't love themselves. And these two men clearly do not love themselves.

The writing is great, full of complex characters and a multi-layered storyline. The pace is well done, flowing easily while drawing out the emotional ride.
Written in alternating 1st person pov, the reader is thoroughly brought into both Jimmy and Mark's minds. With this writing style, the moments are extremely intense and meaningful. There's a plethora of things going on with these men and their lives, as well as their relationships, making for one hell of a complex story.

The Perils of Intimacy is an amazing book. Do yourself a favor and read this Rick Reed book when you're in the mood for your next serious read. It will make you think and feel, as these men deal with confessions, understanding, and forgiveness.

I wanted to love this book. Based on the synopsis I was looking forward to a relationship that showed flawed characters with great growth as the story developed. Unfortunately for me this all felt very on the surface. The characters came across flat, the writing at times translated as unpolished and the voice young. Best of luck with this title.

This is such an interesting love story. The two leads seem so different but the author brings them together effortlessly. You are drawn into their lives and you don't want the book to end.

The writing is so well done. And the author clearly did his research. The subject matter was handled extremely well, and there were a few twists I was not expecting. I plan on reading more by this author very soon.

A short, sweet book about forgiveness, drug use, sex, and second chances. Jimmy is a recovering drug user that stole Marc. Marc is having a hard time trusting and believing in people. Jimmy feeling guilty wanted to apologize to Marc but instead ends up dating him until the truth comes out. There’s romance, angst, some very intense moments and funny moments between Marc and his coworker. I truly enjoyed this book.

First I want to say thank you to NinePress for allowing me to read this Advanced Reader's Copy. Now on to the review!

Oh, what can I say The Perils of Intimacy drew me in from the first few pages. I think it was the writing style that caught my attention. Each part of the book is written from the character's point of view, and that was very interesting. Seeing what is growing through each of the character's minds during the story was awesome.

Jimmy a recovering drug addict is absolutely the stand out star here. Reviewing his past and seeing how much he has grown was inspirational. Sure we all have a past, but Jimmy really has grown in the span of two years. Sure, he still has his moments dealing with addiction. But he is a good person!

Mark, I found rather interesting. It seems like Jimmy ( or JD as he was known by then) and his first encounter broke a piece of himself. Through the course of the book, we see his journey of self-discovery. By the end of it all, we seem to have a better picture of him.

Overall this book was a great read. But be cautious, as there are themes of drug abuse and addiction. But this book makes a great addition to the LGBTQ+ genre. I am going to have to find more of Reed's books now.

Thank you again NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. The story is exciting because it"s about two men knowing each other from the past falling in love. At the beginning only one knows that they have met only one night before. Easy to read and very entertaining. I recommend reading it.

The Perils of Intimacy by Rick R. Reed is a contemporary romance currently scheduled for release on January 27 2020. Mark believes he’s meeting Jimmy for the first time in the diner where he works, but he’s wrong. Mark has no recollection of their original encounter because the wholesome Jimmy of today couldn’t be more different than he was two years ago. Back then, Jimmy sported multiple piercings and facial hair. He was painfully skinny—and a meth addict. The drug transformed him into a lying, conniving thief. Mark doesn’t associate the memory of a hookup gone wrong with this fresh-faced twenty-something… but Jimmy knows. Can Mark see Jimmy for the man he is now and not the addict he was? The answers depend on whether true love holds enough light to shine through the darkness of past mistakes.

The Perils of Intimacy is a heartfelt romance that looks deeper. I was glad to see the straightforward and honest way drug use, and the difficult path of recovery, is handled. I found the way the damage drug use has on the user and those around them was handled with empathy and understanding. I think many people should read the book just for a better understanding of how powerful addiction is, and how hard it can be to get and stay clean.Jimmy had me rooting for him right for the start, and I really liked the author's voice and writing style. Getting the dual points of view helped me really become engaged in the story and the overall health of the major characters. I also liked that while Marc had a better start in life, he also had real and relatable emotional issues that while different than Jimmy's problems were not pushed off to the side or ignored just because they were not more immediately problematic. I think this was a great show of the author's understanding that everyone has their issues, and they can all have an impact on our relationships and life in general. I also enjoy that there was another layer of the story, about recovery and the help people give each other while working toward staying clean. There were a couple moments were I was braced for things to go really wrong, and at one point I worried that there was another twist around the corner. I am so glad I read this book, the love story was great but the better understanding it brought me people struggling with addiction made it even more valuable.

The Perils of Intimacy is a realistic and highly engaging read. There are some very vivid descriptions about intravenous drug use and the highs that drug use cause. Those that might not be ready or able to deal with reading that might want to skip reading the book for now.

Book content trigger warnings:
Past and present drug use; character briefly under knife point

I've been struggling to write a review for this book because it's really difficult to describe my take on it.

Okay, so... The Perils of Intimacy is a book unlike others. It quashes a lot of cliches and even has some totally unexpected twists in there. I could tell the author did his research for both the setting and the plotty content. In addition to those things, there were well-developed and interesting side characters, and the writing style was generally easy to read and absorbing. I enjoyed it. I cared about what was happening with these men and their friends.
I was impressed by the realistically written issues the main characters have and their personal growth and increasingly healthy thought processes. It was GOOD to see lifelike characters doing their best to love themselves.
For all of these reasons, I liked the book.

However, there were a few qualms I had about the rest of it.

For starters, there seemed to be these small contradictions throughout. For instance, at one point a character was remembering getting off in 30 minutes. Later, it was remembered as 10 minutes. Stuff like that, strewn throughout, that was kind of odd and felt... forgetful.

Additionally, I really wanted to feel the romance between Marc and Jimmy, and support it, but I cared more about them as people and their growths separately than together.
For one thing, both the few kisses shared and the sex was fade-to-black. No present details. You get a little information by a character thinking back on it, but nothing up and close. No senses drawn.
For another... listen, I read all kinds of romance, including long and short fanfictions with magical soulmates. Yet this takes insta-love to a whole new level. If it had just been intense feelings ("why can't I get enough of you?"), I would absolutely have been THERE for it. But "I love yous"?? Realistically, even if people FEEL that that early on, like, way too early on, hardly anyone is ready to admit to themselves, let alone their partner. It was just too much, too fast. I couldn't suspend my belief and therefore was taken out of the story. Which was a bummer because I really wanted to care about these two getting a happy ending, but it was hard to believe.

Still, while this book needed some work, I could and can tell that Rick R. Reed has talent, dedication, and loads of potential. If he improves in a few areas, he will excel, and I look forward to seeing what it looks like when he does.

**I received an ARC of this book free courtesy of NetGalley/NineStar Press in exchange for an honest review, which did not affect my opinion

This novel brought me to tears a few times. Not surprising. This is the third novel of Rick Reed's that I've read and each one of them has been packed with visceral emotion and well-developed characters. Honestly, I'm running out of good descriptive words for how fabulous I think Rick's books are. His voice is a truly important one in the world of LGBTQIA+ writing.

Again, these are NOT Gay romance novels. These are "own-voices" novels. They have such authenticity about them, it's remarkable. The characters have so many dimensions and they are always flawed ... just like everyone is. These are characters that I want to get to know. I get angry at them. I find myself wanting to know more about them. Whenever I get to the end of one of Rick's books, I find myself wondering if there's another one. This is a voice you don't want to miss.

In this book, two men need forgiveness. They both need to leave something behind them in order to move forward. Sometimes, it's truly difficult to manage to continue to put one step in front of another when things keep smacking into us. Rick really captures the monotony, fear, excitement, relief, and exhaustion of recovery. At the same time he manages to allow the reader into a world of intimacy between two souls... it's captivating.

In reading this book, I am reminded of the phrase "Dying is easy, comedy is hard." Sex is easy but intimacy, true intimacy, is hard. It's easy to say "I forgive you" but true forgiveness of someone and acceptance of "the flawed, broken, and beautiful things they are" can be difficult.

Mark and Jimmy meet two years ago when each man is at a critical point in their life - Jimmy in the throes of a powerful addiction to meth and Mark lost, lonely and unknowingly suffering an addiction of his own. When Jimmy steals from Mark, he steals more than trinkets: “You took my trust. Not just in you, but in people. You stole my judgment, which I was naïve enough to think was pretty good. Now I doubt myself so much that it’s hard for me to let anyone else in.”

While their one-night stand didn't instantly change Jimmy, it sets in motion his going into a recovery program, where he meets Miriam, his sponsor:

"Love yourself, Jimmy. With all your heart. That’s the only way you’ll ever find real happiness. We all make mistakes. But I always remember what my sponsor told me—mistakes are the soil we grow from. Every mistake, every bad thing we did shouldn’t be a regret, because everything we do is simply one more step on our journey. Without the mistakes, we’d never grow."

What follows isn't a sweet HEA - and I think if you read this book solely as a romance you'll miss out on something very extraordinary - but rather a difficult process of transformation and acceptance, and real forgiveness. I loved "The Perils of Intimacy" and yeah, I sobbed at points in this story for Jimmy and for Miriam, and for anyone going through a struggle with addiction of any kind. I highly recommend this book.

"... no one knows better than I do that the key to unlock our chains is not in someone else’s hands, but in our own. Always."

3.5* A decent read that could've been EXCELLENT had it been longer and over a longer period of time.

This is a book that shows that people can change, can make amends for the past and that others can forgive. It's a book that reminds us that sometimes people end up on the wrong path for several reasons, and they need help to find themselves and that there are people willing to help.

It's not the tale that I expected, but it is a decent one. This had the potential to be a much longer tale rather than one set over only 7 days, which made it feel rushed and unrealistic. But, the characters made up for what the book lacked in length. I really liked Marc, who had found himself on a path that he knew wasn't good for him, and yet he made it off it and back to something better. Jimmy/JD was also a good lead, flawed but with an earnestness and innocence and he stepped up and helped someone who was in the same situation as him. That showed the goodness in him, and I liked his flatmate who actually got revealed as more, and the other 'person' helping him. The latter was unexpected, but poignant and a little sad.

I'll always read this author's works, as I think he writes with honesty and authenticity.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Ninestar Press, for my reading pleasure.

I have a lot of feelings about this book. I knew immediately upon reading the summary that it was a book I'd love. And I did. Very much. While the events of this book only take place in about a weeks span, the story actually began years ago.

Jimmy, a recovering addict, running into a one of the guys he'd hurt during his years as a user is somewhat of a random happenstance. Kismet if you will.

Marc, not recognizing Jimmy from their initial encounter is taken aback that someone of Jimmy's age could be interested in someone like himself. Marc harbors a lot of caution from events in his past but the connection Jimmy and Marc have is undeniable. As much the second time, as the first.

I loved this book. I loved seeing their journey of self discovery and continuing recovery. Of the forgiveness and the rebuilding of something that could have been but wasn't the right time the first time around.

These two men grow, and lean on one another but do not directly depend on the other to save them from their demons. The support in this book from everyone is something I also enjoyed. I loved that this was a love story but also a healing, growing and empathetic story of two souls recognizing the other and continously being drawn together.

I love the growth these men have and how they apply it to the here and now.

The guidance Jimmy receives is especially interesting and how it keeps him on the brighter path. I would gladly read more about these two. They both deserve so much love and they are really so suited for the each other that it feels like, perhaps in each new life, they've been finding each other again and again.