Thanks so much for stopping by today to check out the tour for Farm Fresh by Posy Roberts. This is a unique romance book that looks at accepting ourselves as sexual beings, overcoming our past, and learning to live a life free from the cares of modern society. Keep reading for my review of the book, a brief trailer, and a giveaway at the bottom!
Posts feature books that may have been provided at no charge & may be sponsored. Post contains affiliate links & I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on links.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This post contains affiliate links and I was provided one copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
Farm Fresh by Posy Roberts
Amazon Purchase Link
Author Name: Posy Roberts
Book Name: Farm Fresh
Release Date: January 28, 2016
Pages or Words: 202 pages, 63,000 words
Categories: Contemporary, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Ménage/Poly, Romance
Publisher: Labyrinth Bound Press
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Blurb:
Jude Garrity visits the farmers market every Saturday. As an environmental engineering student, he’s curious about living off the grid and sustainable agriculture.
And one particular farmer.
Hudson Oliva has worked hard to support his commune, where queer people live without fear of harm or retribution. When Jude asks pointed questions about living there, Hudson realizes he needs to be honest about his home. Few people know what the farm is actually about, but Jude is insistent.
Jude moves to Kaleidoscope Gardens, however, his sexual hang-ups make it hard to adjust. He’s an uptight virgin living among people who have sex freely and with multiple partners. When Jude finally loosens up, Hudson is flooded with emotions. Falling for Jude wasn’t part of Hudson’s life plan. But when vindictive rumors about the commune begin to spread, love might be all he has left.
My Review: 3 1/2 Stars
Jude is an environmental engineering student who finds Hudson manning the farmer’s market stall ever Saturday morning. After weeks of talking and mild flirting, Hudson opens up about the commune he lives in and Jude is intrigued. After a visit, interview, and some decision making, Jude decides that Kaleidoscope Gardens is the perfect place for him.
Farm Fresh by Posy Roberts was truly a unique book. The author does a great job of describing the commune in vivid detail. You could almost see the sparkling lake and hear the insects buzzing. The area is vividly described in terms of the setting itself. The problem that I encountered was that I didn’t really understand how the commune was set up in terms of social groups. I found myself wanting to know how each house came to be….Why were Jude and Hudson rooming with Leo and Charlie,? Convenience? Or was it a choice?
Jude himself was an interesting character. I feel so horrible for him. His parents screwed him up so badly when it comes to sex. I felt like I was seeing his struggle from the outside though. I really wanted to get into his head more and I really didn’t learn much about him even midway through the book. I think getting to know him a little better would have made me connect to the story a bit better.
Hudson was still hurt from a previous relationship but he seemed to generally care for Jude. He was patient with him about his sexual hang ups and generally very supportive. I will say that the one freak out he had with Jude seemed a little contrived. It seemed forced, just to incite drama. Overall, though, I liked his character and I think he and Jude made a nice couple.
There are a number of secondary characters that were very well developed who play a significant role in this story. Since the book is about more than just a relationship between two people, the first section of the book gives you a broader look at many characters. I enjoyed getting to know them all, however at times I felt that I didn’t really get to know Jude and Hudson really well until we really started getting into the story for a bit.
Most of the secondary characters I really liked, however I can’t decide how I feel about Dirk, Jude’s friend. He seems concerned about Jude and his safety and well being but also seems to laugh at him and mock him. He doesn’t play a big role in the book but I was confused about his character.
I loved seeing Jude and Hudson come together to solve the commune’s green house problem. Getting thrown together under duress was probably the best way for these two to overcome their issues and move on as a couple. Jude has a lot of major sexual hangups to get over thanks to his parent’s abuse but his small steps are realistic and the whole commune is encouraging of his exploration and self acceptance.
Overall, I liked Farm Fresh by Posy Roberts. I felt like I wanted to know Jude and Hudson a bit better than I did but I love the idea of accepting ourselves as sensual beings. Not sure I could personally live around that much nakedness but I guess I still have a few too many hangups!
Excerpt:
“You wanted to know where I’m from,” Hudson said. Jude nodded but remained tight-lipped. “I grew up north of Miami in a small city. I couldn’t wait to get out, so I tried to hitch a ride to Seattle. Didn’t get that far.”
“How far did you get?” Jude looked surprised as he asked, so Hudson reached out and pressed his palm to the center of Jude’s chest.
“About five miles away. I’ve been here ever since.”
“What made you run? I mean… maybe that’s too personal.”
Hudson coasted his hand over the slight swell of Jude’s pec and thumbed over his nipple, which stood at attention, pert and flushed, like his lips and cheeks. It was a good color on him.
“My parents sent me away to one of those ‘pray away the gay’ places, which obviously didn’t work, but it probably saved my life since my mom had to haul Papi off me when she told him why I needed to go there. He had so much pride, and having a gay son wasn’t something he could live with. It was as if me being gay made him gay. I was accosted by religion and hatred for who I was from that day until I left, so I became an expert at being secretive and learned to lie through my teeth while living with them. My eighteenth birthday Papi and I fought, and I ended up with another black eye. I packed a bag and snuck out of the house while they were sleeping.”
“Did they call the cops or anything?”
Hudson shook his head and knew his smile was pathetic. He still held hope he and his father could reconcile. He knew Papi would be proud of him and what he’d accomplished on the commune. “I left a note and eventually let them know my address, but in all the years, I’ve gotten one letter.”
“I’ve talked to my parents twice since I left, and both times left me feeling shredded inside.”
“I’m sorry.” Hudson scooted closer and pulled Jude into a tight embrace. The feel of Jude’s warm skin against his own had Hudson’s body responding in no time flat. He kissed Jude’s neck and the sharp line of his jaw. He thrust his fingers into Jude’s spun-gold hair and drew their mouths together.
Jude moved his lips, pressing chaste kisses to Hudson’s, and then he snaked his arm between their bodies. Jude splayed his fingers across Hudson’s chest and pushed him away. He hung his head, looking down at the mattress in what appeared to be shame.
Hudson took the sting out of the rejection by thumbing over Jude’s bottom lip, shiny with saliva. “You have a delectable mouth, like it’s made for kissing.”
Jude laughed. “So do you.” Then he bit his lip and made brief eye contact before scooting back a few inches.
Buy the book:
Amazon Universal link: myBook.to/FarmFresh
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Farm-Fresh-Naked-Organics-Book-ebook/dp/B01A2PHDPW/
Book Trailer:
Meet the author:
Posy Roberts writes about the realistic struggles of men looking for love. Whether her characters are family men, drag queens, or lonely men searching for connections, they all find a home in her stories.
Posy is married to a man who makes sure she doesn’t forget to eat or sleep. Her daughter, a budding author and dedicated Whovian, helps her come up with character names. When Posy’s not writing, she enjoys crafting, hiking, and singing spontaneously about the mundane, just to make normal seem more interesting.
Where to find the author:
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/posyroberts11/
Twitter: @posyroberts
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/posyroberts/
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28432092-farm-fresh
Tour Dates & Stops:
January 28, 2016
Parker Williams, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, KathyMac Reviews, A.M. Leibowitz, BFD Book Blog, Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Three Books Over The Rainbow, Gay Book Reviews, Jessie G. Books, Kirsty Loves Books, Nautical Star Books, Book Lovers 4Ever, Caraway Carter, Charley Descoteaux, V’s Reads, Mikky’s World of Books, Alpha Book Club
January 29, 2016
Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, My Fiction Nook, Just Love Romance, Unquietly Me, Open Skye Book Reviews, MM Good Book Reviews, Bayou Book Junkie, Foxylutely Book Reviews, Kiki’s Kinky Picks, Happily Ever Chapter, Wake Up Your Wild Side, Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings, Louise Lyons, Molly Lolly, Divine Magazine, 3 Chicks After Dark, Inked Rainbow Reads
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for hosting Farm Fresh on the book blast tour, the thoughtful review, and for helping make this book launch a success. xoxo
P.S. The greens on your site are beautiful! I love all things green.
Glad to be a part of the tour and I am a fan of all things green as well!