Genre: Contemporary
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Kemper Ribar was searching for an oasis where he could recharge his batteries when he stumbled upon the Wrong Side of Heaven, an intriguing bar in the middle of nowhere. He hoped this pit stop would prove to be the respite he was looking for from the politics of his motorcycle club.
As a forty-year-old man, Kemper never anticipated that he would find himself making an instant connection with Chester, a free spirit operating what he came to realize was the town’s only gay bar. Flustered, he flees. But something keeps drawing him back, and soon, Kemper realizes that life could be different.
As the attraction builds between the two, it makes Kemper question everything … his identity, his choices, even his devotion to his club.
The Review
Kemper Ribar is turning forty, and things in his life don’t seem to be going well. He’s been a brother of the Burning Reapers Motorcycle club since he was eighteen, but the club’s atmosphere has really changed, and he no longer feels comfortable there. Two many parties with alcohol, drugs, and sex, all funded with the clubs money, and under the orders of the new prez, Zeus, with whom he constantly butts heads.
Needing some space, he goes out on the road, in the wild, to clear his head. He knows what the feeling of confinement is like, as he was once in jail, and the long rides help him escape those old feelings.
He’s curious when he sees a sign that says “Wrong Side of Heaven” out in the wilderness. He can’t help but turn around and go back to see what it it. He’s surprised to find a bar in the middle of nowhere, and decides to stay and have a drink.
He meets the very personable, bartender, Chester. He hits it off with the goth head banger, and have a great conversation. They find that they have lots in common, especially with music. But when he realizes he’s in a gay bar, things go south quickly.
Chester plays it professionally, but checks on Ribar. He also tells Ribar that he fears that other “bikers” might come and destroy his bar.
Returning to the clubhouse, Ribar looks around at the mess there, and re-evaluates how different things have become since he was eighteen. This new prez isn’t doing the club any good. He finally stands up to Zeus.
When he returns to Heaven, he’s welcomed by Chester, and meets new people.
Will Ribar stay with the club and deal with Zeus? Has he finally found a place of ease and comfort at Heaven, with its owner?
I absolutely loved Kemper Ribar and Chester. Their slow-burn feelings for each other turn into something beautiful, bringing the steam and romance to the story. They have so much in common, and new things to learn about each other. Their conversations are heartfelt and Chester gives new life to Kemper.
Monvey writes in a clear and easy style about life changes, and how you are never too old to learn, experience and evolve. Ribar learns that not all drag queens are gay, how the word “queer” has been reclaimed as a sign of pride, how diverse human sexuality is, and what really defines an individual.
This is the first time I’ve read one of Monvey’s books and I was surprised how much I enjoyed this story. Wrong Side of Heaven is a wonderful slow burn romance filled with drama and fun. Well worth the read.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
