Saugatuck Series by Amelia C. Gormley

Chris Boyden loved Matt VanderVeen since junior high. But growing up gay in the Bible belt of west Michigan was difficult, and unlike Matt, he wasn’t brave enough to face the prejudice head-on. Especially when his family told him over and over that he wouldn’t be able to attend college without a scholarship. Back in high school, he worried that coming out would get him kicked off the baseball team or make recruiters reluctant to scout him... moreChris Boyden loved Matt VanderVeen since junior high. But growing up gay in the Bible belt of west Michigan was difficult, and unlike Matt, he wasn’t brave enough to face the prejudice head-on. Especially when his family told him over and over that he wouldn’t be able to attend college without a scholarship. Back in high school, he worried that coming out would get him kicked off the baseball team or make recruiters reluctant to scout him. Eventually, Matt broke up with him when he couldn’t handle being Chris’s secret boyfriend any longer, but college has given them a second chance — if Chris has the courage to take it. When a terrible injury puts Chris's baseball scholarship in jeopardy, it reminds Chris of all the reasons he stayed in the closet to begin with, and his ultra-masculine father's expectations and thoughtless homophobia aren't helping. Baseball has always been Chris's hope for the future, but now that dream could cost him Matt's love. less

One summer can change everything.Hi, I’m Topher Carlisle: twenty-one, pretty, and fabulous. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. But let’s get real. Walking the fake-it-til-you-make-it road to independence and self-respect isn’t easy. Especially since my mom’s a deadbeat alcoholic, and most of my family expects me to turn out just as worthless. Oh, and I’m close to losing my college swimming scholarship, so let’s add “dropout” to the list... moreOne summer can change everything.Hi, I’m Topher Carlisle: twenty-one, pretty, and fabulous. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. But let’s get real. Walking the fake-it-til-you-make-it road to independence and self-respect isn’t easy. Especially since my mom’s a deadbeat alcoholic, and most of my family expects me to turn out just as worthless. Oh, and I’m close to losing my college swimming scholarship, so let’s add “dropout” to the list.My BFF has invited me to stay at her beach house on the shore of Lake Michigan. That’ll give me one summer to make money and figure out what I want to do with my life. So of course I decide to have an affair with my BFF’s married, closeted dad. Because that always works out.Now I’m homeless, friendless, jobless. Worthless. Just like my family expects, right? Except there’s this great guy, Jace, who sees it differently. He’s got it all together in ways I can only dream of—he’s hot, creative, insightful, understanding. He seems to think I don’t give myself enough credit. And if I don’t watch out, I may start to believe him. less

A Life Half-Lived No More...Hemophiliac Geoff Gilchrest has lived his entire life swaddled in figurative bubble wrap, thanks to his overprotective mother. Now he's free of everything except the prison of his own mind, where forbidden desires war against crippling self-doubt.Geoff is a masochist. He craves his sex with a side of pain and degradation... moreA Life Half-Lived No More...Hemophiliac Geoff Gilchrest has lived his entire life swaddled in figurative bubble wrap, thanks to his overprotective mother. Now he's free of everything except the prison of his own mind, where forbidden desires war against crippling self-doubt.Geoff is a masochist. He craves his sex with a side of pain and degradation. But when getting shoved against a wall could result in catastrophic brain injury and even a moderate flogging could leave him paralyzed--or worse--it's hard to find a dom willing to step up and give Geoff the experiences he's been longing for.
Robin Brady has doubts of his own. Still stinging from massive violations of trust on the part of his drug-addicted ex, he has retreated to Saugatuck to start a new life. But the yearning in Geoff's eyes calls to him, and he knows that, armed with a deft hand and foreknowledge, he can give Geoff what he's been seeking, without putting Geoff's safety at risk.
First, though, he's got to convince Geoff to trust him--not just with his well-being, but with his pride. Geoff's injured self-esteem and trouble with communicating what he perceives as weaknesses, could end them before they have a chance to begin. less