Hi there. Today I’m sharing a review for a fantastic contemporary M/M romance from Megan Erickson. OVEREXPOSED is the fourth book in a series, but I swear you’ll love it even if you haven’t read any of the previous books. I did. It was fantastic.

About the book:
Love runs wild on the Appalachian Trail in the latest from the author of Out of Frame and Focus on Me…
Levi Grainger needs a break. As a reality show star, he’s had enough of the spotlight and being edited into a walking stereotype. When he returns home after the last season of Trip League, he expects to spend time with his family, only to learn his sister is coming back from her deployment in a flag-draped casket. Devastated, Levi decides the best way to grieve will be to go off grid and hike the Appalachian Trail—a trip he’d planned to do with his sister.

His solitary existence on the trail is interrupted when he meets Thad, a quiet man with a hard body and intense eyes. Their connection is stronger than anything Levi has ever experienced. But when Levi discovers the truth about what Thad is hiking to escape, their future together looks uncertain, and uncertainty is the last thing Levi needs…

My Review:
So…I haven’t read any book in this series before, and though it’s book FOUR I didn’t feel the lack. It was amazing, and I can’t imagine liking it any more than I do.

Levi Grainger is a recent reality TV star hiking the Appalachian Trail in memory of his sister, Layla, an army gal who died on deployment. Levi idolized his elder sister, and it was her dream for them to hike the two thousand miles together. She’d planned and strategized and had tons of research on where to go and where to camp, and Levi’s so adrift after her death that he hopes to connect with her spirit on the trail.

Who he connects with, however, is Thad, a strong, capable hiker who’s as surly as a July day is long. Thad rarely speaks, but what he says to Levi is earth-shattering. That this behemoth of capability is gay is further stunning to Levi. That Thad desires Levi is surprising to both men–Thad’s demisexual. (On the spectrum, simply put, it means he only finds attraction to people with whom he emotionally connects. It’s probably an oversimplification, but I’m accepting his words.)

While they traverse the tough terrain, Levi’s overcome with grief over Layla, and he’s not sure if he’ll ever get over her loss. Plus, he’s confused over Thad’s interest, and Thad’s tightly guarded words and past. Thad could go entire days without speaking, it seems, which is antithetical to cordial and chatty Levi. Their budding relationship explodes, however, because Thad’s secrets can’t be held back–and that breaks Levi’s heart.

Unfortunately, it’s also a moment of craptacular family problems, and Thad’s Levi’s rock through out the entire ordeal. Levi’s forced to see Thad for more than his job, and that’s a good thing. Thad has a real problem trusting people; his one and only boyfriend was a cheater. He doesn’t think Levi would do that, per se, but there’s a big separation coming due to Thad’s job, and it’s the worst kind of scenario for Levi. Should they cut their losses before they get more attached? Thad thinks so, but Levi’s a scrapper, and he’s willing to fight for the love he deserves, even if Thad doesn’t think he’s capable of giving it.

The tension and love her is so high! I fell into lock-step with these guys and loved every moment of their loving, and agonized every moment of their turmoil. Both Levi and Thad are great guys in a rough patch. There are bits of humor woven in, especially when Levi is recognized by fans at perhaps epicly bad moments, but that’s so AWESOME. Because the book is intense.

I really enjoyed Levi and Thad’s story, which felt raw and real and fantastic. There are other couples present in the end, and I’m sure they are from previous books which made the HEA more sweet for the series readers. For my part, I was captivated by this story, and would highly recommend.

Interested? You can find OVEREXPOSED on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. I received a review copy via NetGalley.

About the Author:
Megan Erickson is a USA Today bestselling author of romance that sizzles. Her books have a touch of nerd, a dash of humor, and always have a happily ever after. A former journalist, she switched to fiction when she decided she likes writing her own endings better.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her very own nerdy husband and two kids. Although rather fun-sized, she’s been told she has a full-sized personality. When Megan isn’t writing, she’s either lounging with her two cats named after John Hughes characters or… thinking about writing.

For more, visit Megan on her website, Facebook, and twitter.

Thanks for popping in, and keep reading my friends!