Living on the Inside by Londra Laine Release Blitz

Micah Grayson lives in his baby mama’s guesthouse. It’s unconventional and awkward, but he’s happy for a chance to reconnect with his teenage son. He doesn’t have time for other distractions—no matter how sexy, independent, and compassionate that distraction might be. Besides, he’s not good enough for more than a fling—no one would ever take him home to meet their parents.

Adrien Darling has book smarts, but no street savvy—at least that’s what his family says. And after a heart-breaking betrayal by the man meant to love and protect him, Adrien believes them. But then a gorgeous guy with a defeated look in his eyes walks into Adrien’s coffee shop and makes him want to take a chance.

After years of living on the outside as two misfits looking in, both men are afraid to reach for more. But in each other’s arms, Micah and Adrien find out what it’s like to live on the inside. As their tender bond grows and blossoms, old insecurities bubble to the surface. Will their commitment crumble under the pressure? Or will the two find the strength to fight for each other.

***Please be aware that this book contains a flashback of and several references to domestic abuse that may be triggering to some readers.***

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“Is that what we are?” Micah asked quietly. “Friends?”

“Yeah,” Adrien answered. “I hope so.”

Then he was surrounded by Micah’s body. Adrien hesitated for a moment before returning the other man’s embrace, locking his arms around Micah’s torso. A few seconds into the hug all the reasons why he needed to pull away from Micah—now—raced through his mind. But he couldn’t make himself do it.

Adrien had been fighting his attraction, but the man had slipped past Adrien’s defenses. Micah’s earnest joy at making progress with his son. His trust in Adrien as he shared his insecurities. His nonjudgmental attitude. Their growing friendship. All those things made him feel strong and needed. Adrien wanted more of that feeling. He leaned into Micah.

Micah sighed as he squeezed Adrien tighter, and Adrien’s body sagged against him, the fight against his attraction to Micah leaving his body. He tucked his head into the crook of Micah’s shoulder, and gave in to defeat, breathing in the salty sweet scent of Micah’s skin, running his palms up the man’s back.

The scent and feel of Micah was heady, and Adrien’s head swam as he let his eyelids flutter shut, let his lips graze the exposed skin between Micah’s neck and shoulder. Micah tensed against him and his breath hitched, making Adrien wonder if he’d gone too far. But then Micah’s palm slid up Adrien’s neck, cupping his nape, grazing a thumb along his hairline.

Micah moved his other hand lower, resting it right above Adrien’s ass, his fingers lightly grazing the swell below Adrien’s hips.

“Adrien,” Micah grated out. Adrien pulled back, slowly opening his eyes. Micah licked his lips, his eyes skimming Adrien’s mouth, and then he leaned forward.

Adrien met him halfway, their lips connecting in a kiss. The light brush became a firm press then flared, hot and wet, as Adrien ran the tip of his tongue against the seam of Micah’s lips. Micah submitted to Adrien’s silent request, parting his lips to give Adrien access to his tongue and mouth.

Then a loud honk made them jerk apart as a car sped past them, headlights bright and blinding. Their chests heaved, and Adrien took in Micah’s disheveled hair and damp lips and wondered if he looked nearly as enticing to Micah.

Adrien’s gaze skittered away, and he grimaced, embarrassment replacing the intense need he’d felt moments ago. What was he doing? He knew better than this. He’d been down this road before. He couldn’t get involved with an employee again.

Then a terrible thought occurred to him. What if Micah felt like he had to hook up with Adrien? Had Adrien pressured him in some way? Shit. Negative thoughts tumbled through his mind, making him dizzy. He had to nip this in the bud.

“Micah, about what just happened—”

“Our kiss?” Micah moved closer to him.

Adrien’s eyes wandered, unable to meet Micah’s. “Yeah, the kiss. I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to—I’m sorry.” He shook his head and Micah stopped the motion by gripping Adrien’s chin between his forefinger and thumb. He lifted Adrien’s face to his.

“I’m not sorry.” Micah’s voice was quiet in the night.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆
First and foremost, please read the trigger warnings. I will say some of the things are described in detail and will set you off if you get triggered by verbal, mental, physical abuse and domestic violence. I have to say that I don’t really get triggered by most things but in this book, while Adrien’s family was treating him so horribly, it reminded me of my family and then I just felt down in the dumps. People sometimes don’t realize how toxic things are in their own life until they hear about it in someone else’s life. Micah and Adrien have both had crappy lives and both have so much healing to do. I loved these two together at first, but then halfway through the book something happened, and it just didn’t have the same vibe anymore. The ending seemed rushed and not really a happily ever after but a happy for now, which didn’t help my feelings towards this book either.


Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
Having adored Londra Laine’s writing in Curl Around My Heart, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Living on the Inside. For me, this was a much tougher read because of the subject matter. Between Adrien’s domestic abuse flashback scenes and the emotional penance Micah must pay (rightfully so) as he earns his way back into his son’s life, Laine ran me through the wringer. A word of warning, the domestic violence scenes are frighteningly realistic, causing me to cringe in sympathy and I’ve never been in an abusive relationship, so if you’re a domestic violence survivor, please read with caution.

The aspect I loved most about the story is also the aspect that irritated me the most, depending upon the character(s) I was confronted with at the time. Adrien’s conscious decision to pay it forward and offer Micah a job because of his record – and because he seemed like a good bet as an employee – warmed my heart. When faced with an ex-con with extensive customer service skills, Adrien saw his chance to give another human being the same chance someone gave his father – a chance that had it not been given his father, Adrien probably would not have been in the position to help Micah out. Yet when his mother and siblings learn of his decision to hire an ex-con, they are less than receptive to Adrien’s decision and his brother’s outburst actually had me cringing on their father’s behalf. In their fumbled attempts to be protective of Adrien, they come off as insulting of their husband and father’s past, at least to me they did. I was surprised that Adrien actually called them out on their hypocrisy, but I was glad to see him stand up for himself.

As for the actual romance between Adrien and Micah, it plays out quite awkwardly. For me, this wasn’t really surprising. As the business owner, Adrien has to temper his attraction to Micah, especially considering his past bad judgments (his characterization) when it comes to picking potential partners. Micah’s position is just as precarious because as much as he is attracted to Adrien, the thought that he could lose his job if things didn’t work out between them makes him wary, especially considering how hard it was to find a job and how much he enjoys working at Adrien’s coffee shop. This makes for two guys who are rather standoffish with one another as they actively fight their attraction. So during their first few attempts to be more than employer-employee, they kind of flail a bit as they try to find their way. As much as I enjoy watching two slightly dented people who complement one another fall in love, it’s even better when there’s an added level of realistic awkwardness like Adrien and Micah’s, making their journey more believable. Obviously, my heart broke when things come to a head in the story, but I was glad that they were able to find their way back to one another, even if their reconciliation seemed to come about faster than I would have expected considering their pasts. Regardless, I enjoyed Living on the Inside and am already looking forward to Laine’s next release.

A forever-man for every man.

Londra has loved reading since she figured out how to do it. She writes to give her guys the happy ending she wishes everyone––no matter their race, religion, gender, or orientation––could experience in real life.

Londra makes money as a communications manager. She is a former journalist, a runner and a mezzo soprano.

In 2010, she moved from her native California to New York City where she lived in Harlem for nearly eight years. In early 2018 she relocated to Seattle with her spouse.

Connect with Londra

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Living on the Inside by Londra Laine to read and review for this tour.

Curl Around My Heart by Londra Laine Blog Tour

At Pearl’s Hair and Nails, no one questions Tate Robinson about his high heels, crop tops, and lipstick, because he’s the boss and he can wear what he damn well pleases. The shop is his life, and he doesn’t need anything more. Until a man walks in with his adorable daughter, and Tate has to untangle her helmet-hair… and his growing feelings for the single dad.

Reece Evans has been on his job for years, has his own place, and now has custody of his eight-year-old daughter. But he doesn’t trust himself to avoid screwing up. Adulting is not his strong suit—or so he’s been told. And now a sexy beautician, who also happens to be his new downstairs neighbor, has Reece wanting and reaching for more than he thinks he’s capable of.

As Tate and Reece move past their own fears about relationships, Reece’s ex issues a threat that could destroy everything. Will Reece’s worries about other people judging him undermine his budding romance? And will Tate’s fear of rejection make him push Reece away? Or have the sweet single dad and his precocious daughter curled too tightly around his heart to give them up?

***Please be aware that this book contains references to drug addiction.***

Buy Links

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Eventually they eased away from each other, their lips pressing briefly against a cheek, an eyelid, the corner of a mouth, until their foreheads were touching as they shared slightly labored breaths.

“I like you, Tate.” The words spilled from Reece as though Tate had wrung them from him. Tate pulled back, forcing Reece to disentangle their legs. Tate was in profile to Reece now, his head dropped against the back of the couch. His stomach seized and his confidence drained, waiting to hear Tate’s response.

“I like you too, Reece,” the other man mumbled.

Oh, thank fuck.

Reece sighed in relief as Tate shifted to meet his gaze.

“I’m crazy attracted to you. Obviously. But, I’m just nervous because guys like you⎯”

Reece’s hackles rose. “Guys like me?”

Tate closed his eyes briefly then opened them. “Yeah. Guys like you. Stereotypically male. Not so obviously queer. Well, they’ve been attracted to me, dated me. But inevitably break things off, because they think I’m too femme. Too flamboyant.” Tate’s shine flickered, and a well of heat raced up Reece’s chest.

“Well, fuck those dudes,” Reece said, throwing himself back on the couch. “And don’t ever compare me to them. I see you, Tate.” He turned his head and waited until Tate met his gaze. “I like what I see. All of it. All of you. You look good to me in heels, kicks, tight-ass ladies’ jeans, and sweats too. I just like you, man.” He ended his little tirade on a shaky breath and then leaned over to brush his lips against Tate’s.

As he went to pull back, Tate trapped Reece against him, gliding his tongue across the seam of Reece’s lips, coaxing Reece to open then luring him into an urgent kiss. Their lips and noses smashed, teeth bit and clacked as they clutched at each other before Tate pulled back abruptly.

“What am I doing?” Tate whispered, resting his head against Reece’s. “You have a kid. You’re my client. My neighbor.” He pulled back, his face serious, eyes searching Reece’s. “And I like to top. Mostly. Like seventy-thirty.” Tate lifted his chin as though waiting for Reece to object.

Reece just smiled, his dick twitching at the thought of Tate topping him, bending him over the couch and making him wail. He brushed his lips against Tate’s. “Well, lucky for both of us then that I like to bottom, mostly. I’d say about sixty-forty. I figure we can meet somewhere in the middle. As far as the other stuff goes... What? You discriminating against me?”

Tate shook his head. “No, it’s just that I’ve been here before, okay. With the straight guys, the bi guys, even the gay ones, and most of them just wanted to fuck and didn’t even want to take me out on a date because I was too effeminate for them.” Tate waved his hand. “Too whatever, too...me, and I just...” He trailed off.

“You expect me to be like them,” Reece finished.

Tate groaned then covered his face briefly. “No, okay? Maybe. Ugh. It’s hard not to expect this to be the same, you know?” Tate grimaced.

Disappointment surged through Reece but then quickly dissipated. Tate didn’t think Reece would personally fuckup whatever this was that was starting between them. No, this had nothing to do with Reece. Tate had been burned, and Reece could relate. He couldn’t make any promises about the outcome of their budding whatever it was, but he damn sure wanted to try. He didn’t want to be to Tate what all the other men who’d come before had been.

Reece grabbed Tate’s hand, turning to face the man. “Well, how about we do the unexpected? Can I take you out next Friday after work?” Reece held his breath.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
I loved this book! The romance between a flamboyant salon owner and a young, single dad with a difficult past is sweet and charming – and heart wrenching at times. Tate is as joyful and entertaining as the contestants he watches on RuPaul's Drag Race – but beneath the surface, too much rejection has made him vulnerable and wary. Reece is making a good life for him and his daughter, but he doesn’t feel like he will ever be able to move past the reputation he gained as a teenager.

The relationship between these two is tentative and slow. Reece’s daughter, LJ, has more confidence than the two grown men and I love the way she brings out the best in both of them. I love that this is a quiet and very human story. Heartbreak is found in everyday challenges like Reece’s custody battle and both men’s strained relationships with their families. I love that these two men make each other better versions of themselves. I also love the humour and joy in the scenes in Tate’s salon. There are a couple of hot scenes in this book, but this is more a book about life, love, and relationships than it is about the sexual connection between Tate and Reece. There are some wonderfully poignant observations and moments in this story that will stay with me.

And now for the elephant in the room. This is a story about the relationship between two black men. It shouldn’t be a surprise but sadly, this is an unusual m/m pairing. Romance writers are slowly starting to introduce non-white heroes, but usually in isolation. We now get some BAME characters in sports romance and in military romance but usually in a predominately white setting. This book gives readers two black leading men who are surrounded by black characters. Tate and Reece have complicated families and interesting friends. I love that the author doesn’t feel any need to explain, apologise, or set the scene any more than a white writer writing about white characters would. There are a few black American cultural clichés in this book – but there are also some surprises. These characters are fully formed people, not types. I don’t feel like this book was written to make a statement about race in romance writing, but it did make an emotional impact on me and it forced me to question the lack of diversity in romance – especially in a sub-genre like m/m, which is supposed to be all about diversity.


Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
I absolutely adored Curl Around My Heart!!! This book wasn’t actually on my review list, but as our blog’s review coordinator, I strive to categorize the books we review as accurately as I can. Not knowing if Tate wore makeup because he was genderfluid or nonbinary, or if he simply enjoyed doing so, I cued the book up on my Kindle to read through the first chapter or two to see if I could suss it out for myself, rather than waiting for a reply from the ladies who signed up to review it. Best mistake ever!

Within just a few pages, I found myself sucked into Tate’s life, into Reece’s life, and even into little LJ’s life. I couldn’t put it down as I slowly but surely fell in love with the three and the tentative family they were creating. My heart broke for both Tate and Reece as both men were belittled and made to feel less than by the very people in their lives who should have loved them and supported them unconditionally. My heart soared as the two took tentative steps toward a friendship that quickly became more as Tate realized that Reece didn’t tolerate his effeminate ways but embraced them. And it continued to soar as Reece’s confidence grew each time Tate pointed out his parenting and personal successes, showing Reece what it felt like to have someone who believed in him and encouraged him. Not surprisingly, my heart also got bruised along the way as it was a very bumpy journey for Tate and Reece to navigate parental disdain, a custody battle, fear for LJ, miscommunication, and disappointment. Yet despite all that, when Reece needed him most, Tate was there for Reece, giving him a shoulder to cry on and holding him together while Reece’s world fell apart. Despite their young age and some fear-driven miscommunication, there’s a maturity to Tate and Reece’s story that I don’t often see in romances that fall in the new adult age range, and it was quite refreshing. It’s also what made the epilogue so freaking perfect!

There is so much to love about Curl Around My Heart that I cannot properly express my full enjoyment. The only thing I didn’t like about the book when I first encountered it – the jumps in time – went away quickly as I realized they were necessary to propel the story forward. I suppose it actually is the author’s fault that I enjoyed spending time with Tate, Reece, and LJ so much so that I wanted more of their lives together, but the jumps in time were clearly marked and well executed – even if I was cheated out of LJ’s playdate with her teammates. But in my opinion, that’s the mark of good writing, creating characters your readers don’t want to say goodbye to and I definitely wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Tate, Reece, or LJ. At least I can revisit them anytime I want to on a re-read… unless Londra Laine gets inspired to write a sequel, in which case, I’m all in for that. Until then, I’ll be checking out Laine’s other work while I wait to see what the author releases next.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆☆
I simply adored this book. Little LJ stole my heart from the start! Reese and Tate were so amazingly good together. They both had crappy families that tore them down, but each man succeeded in building the other one up. This story made me laugh and cry, made my heart break and mended it back together. Reese accepted Tate and how he dressed and wore makeup. He hated it when Tate would tame it down because it wasn't really Tate. Little LJ was sassy and smart, and I wanted to hug her so many times. The story and characters were simply wonderful.

A forever-man for every man.

Londra has loved to read since she discovered The Baby-Sitters Club. As a child, her parents would ground her by taking all the books out of her room for several days. Londra began reading romance in 2008 and fell in love with the M/M romance genre after purchasing a book by accident several years later.

After decades of daydreaming, and jotting down story ideas, Londra decided to give life to the characters in her head. She writes to give her guys the happy ending she wishes everyone––no matter their race, religion, gender, or orientation––could experience in real life.

During the day, Londra is a communications manager for a consulting firm. She is a recovering journalist. Londra loves the New York Yankees, Seinfeld reruns, tacos, and Friday nights on the couch with wine and a new book.

In 2010, she moved from her native California to New York City where she lived in Harlem for nearly eight years. In early 2018 she relocated to Seattle with her husband.

Connect with Londra

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Goodreads

Hosted by

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Curl Around My Heart by Londra Laine to read and review for this tour.