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Too Close to the Flame (Beyond Courtship Book 5) Kindle Edition

by Ryan Taylor (Author), Joshua Harwood (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 371 ratings

How can he ever learn to trust again?

Brandon Weber’s old boyfriend almost beat him to death. Brandon survived, but still bears the emotional scars. Eighteen months later, he has withdrawn into himself, convinced he’ll never be able to trust another man.

Devin Macadam, fresh out of law school, has an exciting new job. He is also on the lookout for just the right guy, someone to take care of and love.

When Devin shows up for the first day of work at his new office, he meets Brandon, a legal assistant there. Sparks fly, but Brandon is paralyzed by fear and isn’t about to give another man the power to hurt him again. Devin, never one to give up easily, doesn’t want to take no for an answer. Both men feel the magic, but can their relationship ever get past the friend zone?

Too Close to the Flame is a dark-to-light, sweet romance featuring out and proud gay men, lots of feels, steamy love scenes, and a wonderful happy ending.

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  1. Book 5 of 5
    Beyond Courtship
  2. Print length
    276 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    July 31, 2020
  6. File size
    2.1 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 5 books in this series.
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08CY9VXYH
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wainscott Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 31, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.1 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 276 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1792344763
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 5 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Beyond Courtship
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 371 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Joshua Harwood

    Joshua Harwood

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    Joshua Harwood is a passionate storyteller who has always found his primary outlet in creative endeavors. With his husband and co-author, Ryan Taylor, he now focuses on heartfelt contemporary MM romance novels. When he’s not weaving emotional journeys and crafting unforgettable characters, Josh finds inspiration in music, a lifelong love and former career. He balances his artistic pursuits with family life and an enthusiastic love of hockey. Connect with Josh for updates on his latest releases and behind-the-scenes glimpses into his world.

    Connect with Josh at ryanandjoshth dot com.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Ryan Taylor

    Ryan Taylor

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Ryan Taylor is a lawyer by day and romance author by night. As one half of the writing duo Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood, he creates contemporary MM romance novels, bringing authenticity and depth to every story. A lifelong swimmer, hockey enthusiast, and avid traveler, he often draws on his passions to inspire his characters and themes. Ryan loves the partnership he shares with his husband and co-author, Josh, and the family life they’ve built together. Follow Ryan for insights into his writing journey and updates on upcoming releases.

    Connect with Ryan at ryanandjoshth dot com.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
371 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this romance book to be a fantastic read that had them hooked from the first page, with a beautifully empowering story of healing and love. The characters are well-developed, and the writing style receives positive feedback. They appreciate the book's depth, with one customer noting how it incorporates detailed descriptions of places, and another mentioning how it balances heavy topics.

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26 customers mention "Romance"26 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book, describing it as a loving and poignant story where characters find true love, with one customer noting it as a beautifully empowering tale of healing and love.

"...However, I did enjoy the slower build-up of the relationship, the detailed settings, and the description of the DC area, etc...." Read more

"...His character was so sweet, patient and completely honest! I loved watching these two come to life on paper!..." Read more

"The amount of happiness I felt when reading this story is overwhelming to my heart. The way it has inspired my life has changed me in many ways...." Read more

"Too Close to the Flame by Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood is a poignant and beautifully empowering story of healing and love...." Read more

18 customers mention "Readability"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, with multiple reviews noting they were hooked from the first page and received a wonderful HEA.

"...It reads smoothly and is well edited. It is interesting with real places to visit as well as newsy gossip on the family life of Devin and Brandon...." Read more

"...There is no insta-love here. A very nice read, instead." Read more

"It’s a good read, a fun read, a sexy read, a sweet read, even an easy read, exactly what we have come to expect from the talented Ryan Taylor and..." Read more

"...I think they surprise each other sometimes and they are both lovely and funny and wonderful!..." Read more

13 customers mention "Character development"13 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one customer noting their perfect and human nature.

"...thoughts were that the writing was somewhat simplistic, the MCs were likable enough and the premise was a well-used trope...." Read more

"...His character was so sweet, patient and completely honest! I loved watching these two come to life on paper!..." Read more

"...I loved all the side characters and how they all supported Brandon...." Read more

"...Devin is perfect and human at the same time and is just what Brandon has been missing all of his life...." Read more

7 customers mention "Depth"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the depth of the book, with one noting how it incorporates detailed descriptions of places, while another mentions how it balances heavy topics well.

"...build-up of the relationship, the detailed settings, and the description of the DC area, etc. There is no insta-love here...." Read more

"...These portions are so detailed they almost rival the sex passages for minutiae. The common advice to authors is “write what you know.”..." Read more

"...I loved how they incorporated all the details about the places that were visited in New York...." Read more

"...I enjoyed it. This book is about love, patience, understanding, and self discovery...." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing style"4 positive0 negative

Customers love the writing style of the book, with one mentioning that the mother figures are outstanding.

"...of making you feel like part of the family and the mother figures they write are outstanding! The chemistry between these two is out of this world!..." Read more

"...From the very beginning to the end I was hooked. This story was beautifully written about how Brandon was a survivor, learned to trust again and..." Read more

"...Love the writing style. Must read!!" Read more

"...The authors’ writing is so descriptive and detailed that it creates such beautiful imagery of the characters and places in the book...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Shelby
    5.0 out of 5 stars Everything I Needed and More
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    THIS BOOK!!! ❣❣It's everything I needed and more!!!! This is my first book by these authors and it's definitely NOT my last!!

    When a book can capture your attention by the first page, you know its gonna be good! 🤗

    Personal experiences made me fall in love with Brandon immediately! I just wanted to wrap him up and love him and tell him the future would be all right 🖤 Dev was everything you need from a person when dealing with trauma. His character was so sweet, patient and completely honest! I loved watching these two come to life on paper! Watching Brandon grow and learn to trust Dev had me in my feels ♡ These two just meshed!

    The storyline kept you intrigued from the beginning and never seemed to drag! And can we talk about the sex scenes and the neediness from the characters 🔥🔥🔥

    The ending, I'm not going to lie had my heart racing!! But damn if it wasn't good! Brandon went all, kickass and take names later mode 🤣 Honestly, I wasn't ready for their story to be over because I want sooooooo much more from them!! Like I wouldn't be mad if there was a book 2 or a novella released for them 🖤

    All in all, I give this a 5 star rating and would highlyyyyyyyy recommend this book to anyone and everyone!!!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Lawrence
    4.0 out of 5 stars It Is What It Is
    Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    It’s a good read, a fun read, a sexy read, a sweet read, even an easy read, exactly what we have come to expect from the talented Ryan Taylor and Josh Harwood. Diabetics stay away. Their new book is sure to produce a sugar coma. For most readers, that will probably sound like a compliment, and it is. But I thought this new work was meant to explore difficult themes, and I looked forward to that growth in their writing. But it doesn’t, really. What it’s not (in my opinion) is a serious exploration of abuse and trauma. Things (and by things, I mean success, attraction, romance, love, passion) happen so easily, so warmly, so quickly in the world that Taylor and Harwood give us in their books (and do it so very well). Even in the aftermath of horrific tragedy and pain, quickly summarized, we are assured that things get better, in a rapid and unrealistic way. But isn’t that why we read MM romance—to imagine with vicarious hope that the real world might one day work that well for us? I’m in that category of readership myself, so I really don’t want to rain on their parade, which I find largely satisfying and uplifting.

    But realistic? Mmm, not so much. Even less so when they give us romantic rehab of a young man severely abused in a relationship (after a previous cycle of failed attempts). I found it very hard to accept that Brendan, with all he’s been through (and supposedly is still suffering) could bounce back so soon, so easily and fully, even in the aura of rosy-hued kindness and limited patience he finds in Devin. Which is not to say I didn’t love the book—I did, as I do all of Taylor-Harwood’s work. I guess I still hope for more grit, more backstory, more “true-love-never-runs-smooth” of the sort that most of us experience in real life. I’m not a masochist, just a realist for whom the most beautiful fantasy only carries me so far. I want to read how others find their happiness by challenging and defeating serious difficulties. This isn’t quite it. The difficulty that the story revolves around nearly disappears like smoke in the early chapters. Real life doesn’t work that way.

    Even more so than their earlier work, this book is also a travelogue, an interior decorator’s showcase, a men’s guide to dressing well, and a fine dining tour de force. These portions are so detailed they almost rival the sex passages for minutiae. The common advice to authors is “write what you know.” Ryan and Josh must be very fortunate, if that’s what they’re doing. I’d have been very happy with a lot less of the “lifestyles of the rich and privileged” and a lot more plot and emotional depth. But it’s OK if you feel differently.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • suedye1
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love blooms with the right person
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is the fifth book for the writing team of Ryan Taylor and Joshua Harwood. The Taylor/Harwood team writes stories about gay men. The authors are gay themselves, out, successful and proud, so who better to tell an authentic tale about what gay men actually do.

    The books are about family and every day living. Work, travel, dating, family. Their characters are looking for a partner to share their lives with. Gay men want to date, form relationships and eventually find that partner.

    The Taylor/Harwood team realize that there are often issues involved in the gay lifestyle that needs to be addresse For this book they look at domestic abuse among gay men and the book does have a trigger warning in the beginning. However this is mainly reflections of what happened as the book focuses on how Brandon bloomed after finding love.

    I have read all of the Taylor/Harwood books and I think this one is the best. It reads smoothly and is well edited. It is interesting with real places to visit as well as newsy gossip on the family life of Devin and Brandon. Meet Devin's Mom. Travel to Devin's childhood home and meet the cousins. Find out what happens in those intimate moments between Devin and Brandon. As a work place romance in a law office, learn what the cousins think of each other. This is such a great book and the best one yet.

    Word has it that the Taylor/Harwood team is working on a new book. If you enjoy m/m romance as I do, get hooked with these books. For gay men by gay men I guess you could say.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Elizabeth Barnett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Review
    Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The amount of happiness I felt when reading this story is overwhelming to my heart. The way it has inspired my life has changed me in many ways. Brandon had a painful relationship and it has changed everything for him until he met Devin and was ready to leave his past behind and love again. I am so glad that he was able to leave his past and love again. I loved every second
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  • david martin
    3.0 out of 5 stars Bad representation
    Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    So I want to start off by saying I didn’t finish the book. Without spoiling anything I had to stop reading when the mc had a mental health crisis, about halfway through. I did not like how the MCs mental struggles were almost belittled by his friend because he wasn’t reacting his this friend thought he should. It doesn’t do justice to real survivors of abuse and it just rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t think it was the intent of the author but that’s just how I took it and this stopped reading
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kindle Customer. cas
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this book. Having read quite a few of your books now, it was great to read about those characters who had been in previous books ie Liam and Dev who sorted out the hockey gay discrimination. The whole book kept me enthralled all the way through it. Well done.
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  • Lisa J Page
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love is the best therapy
    Reviewed in Australia on March 18, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Brandon feels he is damaged goods and not worthy but he slowly brightens up and sees his friendship with Devin might be the way he can heal from the past. As you read, you can sense the thoughtfulness and caring friend that Devin can be. Ryan and Joshua, with this series you have made me go on an emotional rollercoaster but I really thought it was worth the ride to go on. Fantastic work.
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  • Karin Baumann
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in Germany on April 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Wie immer großartig geschrieben. Absolute Leseempfehlung!!!!
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  • Maureen Crothall
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just Amazing!
    Reviewed in Canada on August 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    OMG! I loved this story! This is my first with these authors and, although I could tell there were stories involving some of the other characters in previous books, it did not impinge on this one for me. My first with these authors, I was so impressed I joined their Facebook group and got such a wonderful welcome from them and the members. Brandon is so damaged he doesn’t think he can ever live a normal life again, until he mets Devin. This is such a sweet and gentle love story, Devin knows immediately he needs to take it slowly and let Brandon decide their pace. This is beautifully written, a truly lovely story. My only wee complaint is that the drama near the end seemed to be over rather quickly, it kind of surprised me. But I still loved the whole story.
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  • Elena
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love Bran and Dev❤️
    Reviewed in Canada on October 28, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Oh my heart!!❤️
    This book was amazing! I love Bran and Dev so so much.
    I cried so much reading this book. It was very emotional and heartbreaking at times as it does deal with physical and emotional abuse. Everyone needs to read this book.
    You will fall in love with Bran and Dev as I did.❤️ 5+⭐️
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