The Divorce by Matthew J. Metzger

Sometimes life has to fall apart before it can be put back together.

Aled is in a rut. Thirty-three, separated from his wife and avoiding his best friend so he doesn’t have to see how well her love life is going doesn’t make for a good time. So, when a friend suggests a one-night stand to shake off the dust, Aled decides to play along. Maybe some no-strings-attached sex is exactly what he needs to get himself going again and give him the energy to get his life back on track.

But when Aled’s dominant streak meets Gabriel’s flirtatious submission, the one-night stand rapidly spills over into the following days and weeks. And what started out as just sex doesn’t stay that way for long, from the flour fight in Aled’s kitchen to the homemade curry in Gabriel’s flat.

Happiness is right in front of him—but Aled has to stop looking back if he wants to reach it.

Reader advisory: This book includes expressions of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia by multiple characters. There are references to infertility, homelessness, and alcoholism, as well as scenes of rough sex and BDSM.

Book 1
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~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆
It has been a year since Aled’s wife left him. His friends drag him out to the pub and at their encouragement, he agrees to meet up with a hot guy they found on Grindr. A night with Gabriel has him feeling better but the reappearance of his wife causes emotional chaos for Aled.

Aled is desperate to hold on to his old life while starting a new relationship with Gabriel, even if it is just a friends-with-benefits deal. His struggles made for good reading. I liked the honesty between Gabriel and Aled as they explore each other, both in and out of bed, and Gabriel’s strength to be who he is and to ask for what he wants. Also, the steamy scenes are hot, varied, and never boring.

The Divorce felt a bit like an entree – small and delicious and left me wanting more. I’m looking forward to reading book two, The Other Man, in the coming weeks.


Angie – ☆☆☆
I actually read this book because I found the blurb for the second book in the series and wanted to read that book and I needed the backstory. I was excited to jump in and get to reading when this hit my e-reader. I will have to say that the book wasn't what I expected. It wasn't bad, it just didn't hold my attention because I didn't feel a connection between Aled and Gabriel. The book is just over 200 pages, but it seemed much longer to me. This book contains a poly relationship, which if written well works for me, this time I am on the fence about it. There is also a trans person in this book; however, if you read some of the reviews, some people don't agree that the character is trans and use other words to describe the character. Just know going in that this book isn't your traditional M/M love story. I do want to read the next book to see what happens next; if there is a third book, I am not sure if I will read it or not yet.

Matthew J. Metzger is an asexual, transgender British author juggling books, an office job and a love of travel with the human need for sleep once in a while. He writes both adult and young adult books focusing on LGBT+ characters and their relationships, particularly those from the less salubrious areas in which he was dragged up over the years.

On the very rare occasions that Matt isn't writing, he can usually be found at the gym, halfway up a mountain or collecting new tattoos. (And yes, he does have book ink...)

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Divorce (Starting Over #1) by Matthew J. Metzger to read and review.