Carey PW is an author who embraces diversity, and with their newest book they take readers on a journey of exploring sexuality and finding love, happiness, and your own self-worth. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Acing the Game by Carey PW, along with getting my impressions of it, then discover even more about this LGBTQ+-fueled tale by the other sites hosting this tour HERE.
In honor of this angsty romance make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 Amazon GC too!
Is food really the way into a person’s heart?
Shep Lee thought he had it all. A successful restaurant, a loving husband who understood his asexuality, and most of all, the ability to be himself, a popular chef in the small town of Cloverleaf, Montana. That is, until his husband, Elmer Eshler, began pushing Shep more on sex.Elmer doesn’t understand why he can’t turn his partner on—aren’t they perfect for each other? And Shep loves him, right? Shep, meanwhile, while confident with his body, is and forever will be sex indifferent. Why has Elmer suddenly changed his tune? But he doesn’t want to lose the man he loves so much. What can they do?
Shep convinces Elmer to try a polyamorous relationship. Elmer gets to have Shep and the sex life he’s always wanted. Shep gets a cooking buddy and a chance to experience a relationship and even try sex with a woman as his authentic gender. At first, Shep isn’t sure, but finds himself coming around—this feels safer than opening up the relationship. All three of them will be romantically involved, so that should ease any jealousy, right?
But when Willow Saint, a free-spirited, boisterous, and saucy young woman, comes into their lives, neither are prepared for the emotional and sexual rollercoaster that follows. Enthralled by Willow’s charm and kindness, Elmer and Shep struggle to understand what this means for their own bond. Can they become one happy family? Or will this ruin everything?
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
This is the second by Carey PW that I've experienced and I'm once again impressed by the depiction of diversity found within the pages. What starts out as a couple looking to change how they conduct their marriage eventually evolves into a journey of self-exploration. It's an uber-angsty journey though, one that frustrated me at times while also giving me a lot to think about when it comes to "definitions" and sexuality.
Shep and Elmer are a compelling main couple, a far from perfect couple who feel their relationship is lacking and thus decide to bring in a third. That third is Willow, a likable woman with a background that I wish had been more fully fleshed-out. Her place in the trio added a lot of angst, a lot of frustration, and it took a lot of push/pull to make things work. Shep's a likable character, one who thought his marriage was good...until Elmer caught him off guard with wanting something new. I felt sorry for Shep in his desperation to make Elmer happy. I wish he'd communicated more but I was still rooting for him to make a more secure HEA for himself. Elmer was someone who angered me time and time again, often made things about him, but I still enjoyed the discussion he fostered in readers. Another character I enjoyed was Tank, a delicious husband and larger than life character who I wish had played a bigger role in the story.
From start to finish this was a book that pushed buttons, one that was thought-provoking and had readers debating sexuality and self-esteem. Definitions are never easy and this book gives readers a lot to think about. While it's not a perfect read it's one that you won't forget anytime soon!
My rating for this is a C+
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Carey PW (he/they) is a debut author, college instructor, and mental health counselor. Carey is currently completing his next manuscript, Acing the Game.
Carey lives in Montana, and identifies as nonbinary, transmasculine (AFAB) and panromantic asexual. Due to the lack of resources in rural communities, Carey has discovered that writing about his lived experiences is a therapeutic outlet for him and hopes that his readers relate to his own personal struggles and triumphs shared through his characters’ narratives. Carey is particularly interested in exploring relationship conflicts around sexuality and gender differences. He has also worked as a high school writing instructor and college writing instructor, earning a B.A. in English Literature, a M.Ed. in English Education, and Ph.D. in Social Foundations of Education all from the University of Georgia. In 2020, Carey earned his second M.Ed. in Counselor Education and works as a licensed clinical professional counselor, LCPC. He has a strong passion for working with the unique mental health issues of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Readers can learn more about Carey from his blog, www.careypw.com. When he is not writing, Carey is busy training for marathons, parenting his six cats, sharing his culinary talents on social media, serving on the board for the nonprofit Center for Studies of the Person (CSP) and learning photography.
Carey lives in Montana, and identifies as nonbinary, transmasculine (AFAB) and panromantic asexual. Due to the lack of resources in rural communities, Carey has discovered that writing about his lived experiences is a therapeutic outlet for him and hopes that his readers relate to his own personal struggles and triumphs shared through his characters’ narratives. Carey is particularly interested in exploring relationship conflicts around sexuality and gender differences. He has also worked as a high school writing instructor and college writing instructor, earning a B.A. in English Literature, a M.Ed. in English Education, and Ph.D. in Social Foundations of Education all from the University of Georgia. In 2020, Carey earned his second M.Ed. in Counselor Education and works as a licensed clinical professional counselor, LCPC. He has a strong passion for working with the unique mental health issues of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Readers can learn more about Carey from his blog, www.careypw.com. When he is not writing, Carey is busy training for marathons, parenting his six cats, sharing his culinary talents on social media, serving on the board for the nonprofit Center for Studies of the Person (CSP) and learning photography.
Carey PW loves to hear from readers. You can find his contact information, website and author biography HERE.
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**********GIVEAWAY**********
Thanks so much for hosting and your review. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on the novel. Maybe a Tank novel is in the works! Carey
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