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Cost of Repairs: Cost of Repairs #1 Kindle Edition

4.4 out of 5 stars 770 ratings

Samuel Briggs moved to small-town Stratton, Pennsylvania, to escape his tragic past and try to start over. When he's not out walking his beat as a police officer, all he wants is peace, a manageable routine, and time to fix up his newly-purchased project home. And Samuel absolutely does not have room in his new routines for a relationship. Except a chance encounter with a handsome diner cook unexpectedly shakes his resolve.

Rey King lives for his work as a short-order cook, part-time hardware salesman, and full-time handyman. He’s in debt up to his eyeballs, so he isn’t looking for complications. And the gorgeous blond cop who comes to Rey’s rescue is a complication he definitely doesn’t need. Lucky for him, Samuel feels the same way.

But what starts as an afternoon of no-strings sex inevitably complicates itself, as the two men learn how deeply each other’s emotional damage goes. When Rey is seriously injured protecting a friend, their already shaky foundation cracks a little more. Samuel barely pulled his life back together after his first lover's death and falling in love again isn't part of his recovery plan. He knows renovations are always a gamble, but this one isn't about risking money—it's about Samuel risking his heart.

NOTE: This book was previously published under the same title. This new edition has been lightly edited to address minor continuity problems, but the overall story is the same.

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There are 5 books in this series.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The plot was well done and unpredictable and the writing was beautiful.”
—manicreaders.com on
Prodigal

About the Author

No stranger to the writing world, A.M. Arthur has been creating stories in her head since she was a child, and scribbling them down nearly as long.  She credits an early fascination with male friendships and “bromance” (and “The Young Riders”) with her later discovery of and subsequent affair with m/m romance stories.  When not writing, she can be found in her kitchen, pretending she's an amateur chef and trying to not poison herself or others with her cuisine experiments. Contact her at am_arthur@yahoo.com  or you can find her online (http://amarthur.blogspot.com/) and on Twitter (http://twitter.com/am_arthur).

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0738R5683
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Briggs-King Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 24, 2017
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 302 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Cost of Repairs
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 770 ratings

About the authors

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
770 global ratings

Review this product

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Customers say

Customers find the book's storyline compelling, with one noting how the pasts are revealed progressively throughout the narrative. The writing is well-edited and easy to read, while the characters are well-developed, with one review highlighting the realistic supporting cast. Customers appreciate the emotional content, with one describing it as an amazing story about two broken men, and they enjoy the great sex scenes. The book receives positive feedback for its readability, with one customer noting it's a great start to a series.

43 customers mention "Interest"43 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting and engaging, with several mentioning it was a pleasure to read and held their attention throughout.

"...Overall it is still a good read, and one of the better written novels I have found in this genre...." Read more

"This author's work is always engaging, mostly I think because she is a good storyteller. That said this was not my favorite of hers...." Read more

"There are all sorts of starting over themes: sad, happy, and one that was disastrous and funny...." Read more

"...The plot has several unexpected developments that keep things interesting...." Read more

37 customers mention "Writing style"31 positive6 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, finding it well-edited, believable, and easy to read, with one customer noting its tightly-controlled intensity.

"...I like that the writer splits her story into two, the first part told from Sam's view and the second part from Rey's view...." Read more

"...Overall it is still a good read, and one of the better written novels I have found in this genre...." Read more

"...If you prefer hurt/comfort stories with substance and well-crafted angst, it hard to find many authors that do it better. *..." Read more

"...author's work is always engaging, mostly I think because she is a good storyteller. That said this was not my favorite of hers...." Read more

31 customers mention "Character development"31 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one customer noting the realistic supporting cast and another highlighting how neither of the main characters were virginal.

"...Both characters are well developed and the plot line, aside from the ending, is sound." Read more

"...I also liked the secondary characters. Jennie my heart broke for and I really hope she gets the help she needs to be a normal teenager again...." Read more

"...The characters were delightful and their stories came out over the course of the book." Read more

"...I found the main characters in this book to be both complex and very likable...." Read more

29 customers mention "Readability"29 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and appreciate it as a great start to the series, with one customer noting it would make a great movie.

"This very satisfying sequel to the first book of the series, featuring Schuyler and Barrett, who were introduced in Cost of Repairs...." Read more

"...I love the cover, I love the author. It was just overall a really great read. The first part of the story is from Sam's POV...." Read more

"...Re-Read – New edition – no major changes I could see I love this book, it’s not perfect but it just gives me pure enjoyment...." Read more

"...The good news is that this is the first book in a series ..." Read more

22 customers mention "Emotional content"17 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional content of the book, describing it as an emotionally filled tale with sweet sadness and good hero moments.

"...pain, the regrets, the insecurities, the doubt to hope, feelings expressed convincingly, as we follow Sam and Rey in their short but impactful..." Read more

"There are all sorts of starting over themes: sad, happy, and one that was disastrous and funny...." Read more

"...The drama quotient is high, almost melodramatically so, I didn't need the crisis at the end, but I did like how the relationship grew, although..." Read more

"...The end of the book was IMO overly melodramatic with unnecessary plot twists thrown in...." Read more

10 customers mention "Romance"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book, appreciating its fun elements and great sex scenes, with one customer describing it as a must-read for romantics.

"...While it’s still a satisfying romance, I didn’t get the same sense of empathy about the influence of the past on the characters behaviors...." Read more

"...This author does great sex scenes and her strength definitely is in the sense of community and friendship in her stories...." Read more

"...Arthur depicts interesting, believable characters and writes some steamy sex scenes...." Read more

"...Lots of good sex but the violence made it unpalatable. Also grammatical errors. Self published?" Read more

8 customers mention "Friendship"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the friendship portrayed in the book, with one review highlighting the strong bond between characters, while another mentions the impactful journey of falling in love.

"...as we follow Sam and Rey in their short but impactful journey of falling in love and most importantly staying together...." Read more

"...and her strength definitely is in the sense of community and friendship in her stories...." Read more

"...of the book is spent on getting to know Sam and Rey and watching their relationship develop...." Read more

"...strength and understanding and Rey for his resilience and his capability for love. The story is well-paced and has some good hero moments." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2012
    This writer does write well, conveying her guys feelings very well. The pain, the regrets, the insecurities, the doubt to hope, feelings expressed convincingly, as we follow Sam and Rey in their short but impactful journey of falling in love and most importantly staying together. I like that the writer splits her story into two, the first part told from Sam's view and the second part from Rey's view. We get to understand and know both guys well and care for them. Their pasts are revealed progressively through the story, pasts which drive the story as much as the present happenings. The last part did take me by surprise but then the writer did set it somewhat up in the beginning. Maybe the angsts could have been toned down in the back half. Is Sam's teenage ordeal and the impact on them later really necessary ? Also is there a need to focus that much on one teenage girl? However I like the way the writer handles Rey 's present predicament. Most is not resolved in his life. There is no miracle but there is hope. The epilogue could have been more. I get the feelings that the writer did want to say more but limited by the publisher ? Definitely watching out more from this writer.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2015
    Majority of this book hung on keeping the past of the main characters at close hold for majority of the book. Once those revelations are revealed the story goes by on cruise control for a bit, attempts to tie up a lose end or two, and then bam, some stuff happens out of left field that makes the ending a bit unbelievable. Once again, the author’s “the bad guys must get what’s coming to them” derails the story, as it did in her novel “Unearthing Cole”.
    Overall it is still a good read, and one of the better written novels I have found in this genre. Both characters are well developed and the plot line, aside from the ending, is sound.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This very satisfying sequel to the first book of the series, featuring Schuyler and Barrett, who were introduced in Cost of Repairs. Dixie’s nephew Schuyler wasn’t entirely likable then, but improved in this story when he meets Barrett. The romance between the two was well depicted, especially when Barrett called Schuyler on his crap, yet found ways to help him deal with it less destructively. It’s one of the first books I recall that had primarily frottage scenes and they are extraordinarily hot! The scene of Barrett drawing the angels wings was beautiful.

    This is my second reading and I had more reservations about the two characters this time. While it’s still a satisfying romance, I didn’t get the same sense of empathy about the influence of the past on the characters behaviors. Mostly with Schuyler, although I got some niggles with Barrett. The ending is very suspenseful though and I would never have guessed the circumstances that drove Schuyler to drink every year. My collection of A.M. Arthur books grew rapidly once I started this series, yet I didn’t get to all of them. Book 3 will be completely new to me. I’m certainly not worried about liking it any less than the rest! If you prefer hurt/comfort stories with substance and well-crafted angst, it hard to find many authors that do it better.

    *An ARC was provided to me by the author via Hearts On Fire Reviews in return for an honest opinion*
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2015
    This author's work is always engaging, mostly I think because she is a good storyteller. That said this was not my favorite of hers. I wanted to read this particular series because I just finished The Truth As He Knows It ( The Perspective Series), which is a spinoff of this series, and I really liked it. But while this book was interesting enough to keep me reading I was underwhelmed by the romance. Rey and Samuel start off as sex buddies and develop a relationship from there. The problem for me was that I never really felt it. Rey is only 26 but he reads as an older, embittered man who has the worst luck and is in a constant state of despair. His physical description made me think of some old scrawny ex con. So the entire package was like someone sprung from a Johnny Cash song. I could never see what Samuel saw in him. Samuel is really not that interesting despite his dramatic past. They both have a lot of baggage and rather than making the plot more interesting it just brings a sense of dreariness to their lives. They are constantly fighting and The only time I ever felt any chemistry was during sex. The end of the book was IMO overly melodramatic with unnecessary plot twists thrown in. I would rather have seen the final chapters devoted to the growth of the romance because it seemed more like "a just starting out" rather than a HEA. This author does great sex scenes and her strength definitely is in the sense of community and friendship in her stories. I will however read the next installment if this series.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Carl
    5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 26, 2013
    I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are so well written that I couldn't stop reading! I wanted the story to carry on.

    The bedroom (and kitchen) scenes are very descriptive and not cheesy.

    We'll worth a read.
  • Alan R. Wallace
    3.0 out of 5 stars Struggled to warm to the characters
    Reviewed in Australia on January 25, 2014
    What seemed like a good plot initially for me, at least, devolved into a difficult read where I couldn't warm to one of the two main characters. Whilst I liked one of the two leads, and all of the background players, I struggled to like the leading couple. Can't say why, but it soured the read somewhat. Having said that it was an enjoyable read, but not a page turner for me I'm afraid.
  • honey monster
    4.0 out of 5 stars Moving short story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 15, 2014
    Not my usual genre but though I would give it a go, moving story with really good characters who you feel for, both have emotional scars and other problems (dont want to spoil it) but this story is well written and engaging without being in your face. Unexpectedly very enjoyable.
  • Anna
    2.0 out of 5 stars Too many twists and turns (spoilers)
    Reviewed in Germany on December 21, 2012
    I ordered the reading sample to my kindle and thought I'd hit the jackpot! I just loved the first two (one and a half? can't remember) chapters. Loved the two main characters, Dixie and the staff at this lovely, lovely diner and could just all see it play out. Granted, surprises can be good, but they are not usually why I read m/m books, and in this case the surprising revelations of the characters' pasts really were too much.

    'Life' has surely dealt these two (and Jennie, really) a whole lot to deal with. Too much. Now, while I personally find it difficult to read anything that has sexual assault or rape in it, I certainly do not want it to the extent that I found it here - not super graphic, but graphic and horrible enough I don't want to reread this story. Which is such a pity when I think back to the promising beginning.

    The twists and turns also took away from the characters in my opinion. As if it hadn't been enough to see these two get to know each other with just a tenth of their baggage!

    Am giving this two stars because of its good start and loveable characters. It doesn't get more for really shoddy plotting and poor craftsmanship. Not saying you won't enjoy it, but if you like to reread stories about your favorite gay couples (like me), this might not be the right buy for you.
  • cke80y
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good romance with nice sex scenes
    Reviewed in Australia on February 25, 2014
    I enjoyed reading this book and am happy to recommend it. In fact I am about to buy the rest of the series!

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