PDF Not Knowing Jack K A Mitchell Books

Product details Paperback 272 pages Publisher Samhain Publishing (November 1, 2011) Language English ISBN-10 1609283139

Not Knowing Jack K A Mitchell Books Reviews

• When we first meet Jack and Tony, they're shopping in a Bed, Bath & Beyond. They have been living together for a little while, dating for 2 years, but Tony, the rough and tumble bartender, really doesn't know anything about his lover, Jack, the chef. They have a lovely home (courtesy of Jack) and Jack wants to give Tony everything (including a car to replace his old, decrepit one). They also have great, frequent sex. But things start to fall apart when Jack starts disappearing to make phone calls or "go to work" early and on days off... That's the setup right off the bat, and I enjoyed the fact that we don't have to spend chapters and chapters leading up to the first "aha" moment.
  
  VERY MILD SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
  
  I don't want to spoil the plot too much, although I had already guessed at Jack's "secret" before reading, but suffice it to say that Jack's former life has caught up with him in a big way. And it's quite a dramatic, painful secret. Jack keeps the truth from Tony because he's afraid Tony will leave him if he realizes "what a failure" Jack is as a human being. He's not a failure, particularly, he's just human. Within a few chapters, Jack's life lays in ruin - he's kicked Tony out, his ulcer is bleeding again, and his life is out of control.
  
  My only real criticism of the story was that some of Jack's motivations fell a bit flat for me. Yeah, we get that he's a control freak who's lost control, but it doesn't explain some of his split-second decisions. One minute he's going to dump his entire past (and those in it), the next minute he's chasing after his past. Maybe a few more chapters in between would have made the transition a bit smoother for me (and I'd have given this a 5 star review).
  
  That said, this is still a lovely and engaging love story - I really adored the straight-forward Tony. He hasn't had an easy life, either, but he's got a warm, loving heart. The secondary characters are engaging, as well. Jack is a tougher nut to crack, but when he's sick in the hospital and he's alienated Tony one too many times, I really felt for him.
  
  All together a sweet, satisfying read. Leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside! Since reading this book, I've learned there is a prequel - I'll be reading it soon!
• Well, I just can't get enough of what K.A. Mitchell puts out. This is the second in the Ohio series and yes, I've read it out of sequence again.
  
  This is the story of Jack, a wealthy restaurant owner and Tony a bartender. Tony is younger and cruder, to Jack's wealthy refined persona. They have a fun, hot sex relationship going. Neither wants to admit that they fit together like hand and glove. Nor are they willing to admit that each wants more from the relationship, because they don't quite trust each other enough. Jack has a troubling past that is going to come back and bite him in the ass. Shortly after they move in together, it does just that with a vengeance.
  
  Trust is the crux of this story. It's the one thing that Jack can not give easily. He is to afraid that when the truths such as his health problems are revealed that he will lose Tony. He is too scared to lose the happiness he has found. There is a very complicated plot here, but I'm not going to give it away.
  
  The title does sum up the story very well. It's a dark story that had me welling up a number of times. It was a wonderful journey, one I wouldn't mind taking again. I give it a backyard full of stars.
• At first I was concerned since the author is not male. WOW does she know men, their bodies, and sexual activities! The plot had some nice twists, but just decent and I felt all too abreviated conversations. I'd like to have more in-depth conversations, and more 'back-thought commentary' on what characters were thinking. I've not read many M-M romances/sex books that include two men nicely raising kids. I hope to read a sequel about the joys and challenges of raising kids, quasi-small town life, and how 2 sexually active men incorporate sex into their family life; perhaps how the couple handle coming of age of the kids? I'm sure such a book could be developed, especially since there is some breadth of background characters in this one. Now, can someone suggest a similar book? Nice job.
• This novel is about Kyle and Sean's friends Jack and Tony. Jack is the solid citizen an executive chef at an exclusive restaurant who makes the big bucks and has some deep dark secrets. His boyfriend of the past year is Tony.. Who's the flakey Jake bartender who left his shabby apt to move into Jack's graceful home. Tony had a tough childhood and consequently always has his eye on the exits should danger or harm present. Even with his fears, Tony is all in with Jack but is wary of Jack's secrecy.. he knows nothing of Jack's past and is afraid this failure to communicate means that Jack's trust and love is not total. Tony brings up the subject of children and their world enters a swirling kaleidoscope further complicated by Jack's bleeding ulcer... which is another of his secrets that Tony is unaware... very good read
• VERY solid storyline about Jack and Tony who have been together for a while. Tony notices Jack's less than honest effort to be "straightforward" when asked about his past, and calls Jack on it. To be quite honest, Jack was an a$$ and I thought Tony was WAY TOO lenient with Jack's habit of keeping secrets. Jack knew everything about Tony, yet Tony had no clue about Jack's past. (Now I know you don't need to know EVERY, SINGLE detail your partner's past, but come on!!!) Tony tolerated way too much, but I understand he was REALLY trying to salvage his relationship with Jack. Yeah, when you love someone, you do many things you normally wouldn't do.
  
  Anyway, this is a very long book, but you won't be disappointed. You really get sucked into the story, trying to figure out if Jack is going to get his act together enough so he can resolve his past and present issues. You'll find yourself wondering if Jack thinks his relationship with Tony is worth the effort!!! However, Tony (who has some growing up to do himself), is honest and real; the type of guy who'll stand with you and have your back all the way through the "fixin'!" Boy, Jack is one lucky SOB...!!!
  
  Enjoy!