Where the Pines Kiss the Sky cover art

Where the Pines Kiss the Sky

Love’s Journeys, Book 1

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About this listen

Sometimes life leads you back to where it all began because home is where the heart can truly mend.

Elias Lake is facing a personal and professional crisis. The world-famous star of countless action movies has been outed on social media. By an ex-lover with a poisonous ax to grind. His life and reputation as "The World's Only Remaining Manly Man"—the studio's PR words, not his—is hiding in his mansion in the L.A. hills, trying to sort out where to go now. The media is camped outside his gates, the studio heads are up in arms, and his legion of fans is ready to fire up the torches and grab their pitchforks.

With his world burning down around him, he tucks his tail and heads home to a small island that hugs the rocky coast of Maine. There Elias Lake can return to being plain old Elias Kesside, the son of an innkeeper, who spent his youth pretending to be a famed local pirate or swimming in the choppy waters of Kesside Bay. There he meets Gibson Vale, the upbeat and attractive older ceramist who owns the shop. What starts out as a duck-and-cover moment turns into a friendship that quickly grows into something strong, vibrant, and healing for both men.

Contains mature themes.

©2023 V.L. Locey (P)2023 Tantor Media Contemporary Romance Heartfelt Pirate
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While this was an easy and quick read, I wouldn't call it light - there's a lot of homophobia present, and it did annoy me the way in which the studio dumped Elias, after he's deliberately outed by his boyfriend, in an act of revenge. Both Elias and Gibson are likeable and relatable protagonists. Elias is facing a life changing heart ache, and Gibson is still mourning a tragic loss. I loved how he and Elias are drawn to one another and become such good friends, acting as a comfort to one another. I really enjoyed both guys, and had my fingers crossed throughout that things would work out for them. They're both very sympathetic characters. Elias is super cheesy and over the top at times in his reactions, (such a drama queen), but he really made me smile. Gibson holds on to his sanity through keeping busy with his pottery, and caring for others. I laughed at the way in which he kept throwing out philosophical statements to reflect what was happening around him. He is totally an ageing hippy, and I loved him.

Ms Locey has written a story full of warmth, grit and humour, without shying away from the tough stuff. As the story unfolded I experienced the full gamut of emotions: anger, sadness, disgust, and happiness. I loved the relationship between Elias and Gibson, it's very slow burn and extremely honest. The guys feel real from the start, in the way in which they supported one another, and how their relationship grew so organically. Another well written and meaningful story from Vicki, I adore her style of writing. The only thing I would've liked more of, was a more in-depth background on Gibson, I felt that there was more to his story. 4.5 stars.


Tristan James is one of my favourite narrators. He's so talented. He brings the story to life, in the Audible version. Elias ' sadness, and then his self discovery is conveyed perfectly. Gibson's portrayal is spot on. I enjoyed reading this, but the Audible made the whole thing more relatable. A wonderful listen.

First Class Narration.

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