Customer Reviews

Physical Therapy

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is almost a wrap up book; it's the sequel of St. Nacho's and following the loose strand that was Jordan, Cooper's ex. When St. Nacho's ended, there was hope for Jordan, obviously not to be again with Cooper, but at least to build again a life. And Cooper suggested to the man to come to St. Nacho's, a place that seems to heal your soul more than your body. And to St. Nacho's Jordan comes, but he is not ready to be healed; Jordan is still eating alive by the guilt and he doesn't want to be discharged. I have the idea that more punishment you bring upon Jordan, and more he would ask. This is something that was quite clear in the previous book, where Jordan insisted to live in a town where almost everyone wants for him to go away. It was quite clear in his choosing to be the "project" of a young priest, full of good will, but maybe a bit too devoted to his task. And it was quite clear in the places Jordan chose to frequent, places where the BDSM was pushed a bit too much beyond the safe boundaries of a naughty play (but in this second book this last aspect is barely hinted and it's not an important part of the story).

In Physical Therapy this destructive behavior of Jordan is brought up front from the first moment, when Jordan applies for a job as masseur in a gym, and instead of exalting his credentials, he tries to shadow them with his con past. Lucky him Izzie, the gym's owner, is not easily mislead, and Jordan finds a work and a friend in the same day... and maybe even a boyfriend. Ken is a guy who was involved in a car accident, he was seriously injured and his girlfriend died on the place. The accident was caused by a drunk driver and so Jordan thinks that, if Ken knew the truth about him, he wouldn't have anything to do with Jordan, and obviously Jordan, self-destructive as he is, tells Ken the truth... and Ken doesn't react as expected.

Many people, his family and friends, think that the accident deprived Ken of his future as a baseball professional star: he was leading toward success, with a nice girlfriend beside him; he was the first son and obviously the perfect son, of a perfect family; all was lied in front of him and not real obstacles where on the horizons. Then the accident, and all crushed down... but it were Ken's hopes that died in that accident with his girlfriend or those of his friends and family? What is that Ken really wants? It's strange, but I have the feeling that the accident freed Ken of all those constraints, letting him finally free to do what and be who he really wants. And one of the thing he wants is to be with Jordan, even if Jordan does everything to discourage him.

Jordan believes to be the one who is helping Ken to heal, and instead I have the idea that the one who is healing is Jordan, and Ken is only finally reaching for the life he wants: having no more to bear the weight of being the perfect son, the hope of the town, allows him to be a simple guy in love with another guy.

It's hard to be disappointed by a Z.A. Maxfield's book, she has a faithful and growing readership, and I believe that this one is nicely up to the previous one, St. Nacho's, maybe not so angst like that one, but still a book that will move the sentimental reader. And again a nice setting in the fictional town of St. Nacho's, a place I wouldn't have believed possible to exist till last year, when I went in California, and actually visited those small beach village, developed around their pier and where it seems that the time has another pace than the rest of the world.

What a delightful story this was! "Physical Therapy" is a beautiful sequel to Maxfield's "St. Nacho's" and tells the story of Jordan Jensen and Ken Ashton, two men who have both experienced a life-changing tragedy. Each has been involved in a fatal drunk-driving accident, but from opposing sides. Their relationship, as mirror images of each other, is a beautiful thing to watch develop. Throughout the book, they each struggle to learn to live again while dealing with this difficult experience.

The characters are rich and fascinating, full of all of the beauty and flaws of life. It was great to be reacquainted with the setting of St. Ignacio and the characters from "St. Nacho's", especially Cooper and Shawn.

If you like well-written and funny books full of angst, man/man love, and lots of hot love scenes, you are sure to love this one! If you haven't read "St. Nacho's" yet, I would suggest that you start with that wonderful book and then read this one. However, if you just cannot wait, "Physical Therapy" is definitely a stand-alone book and can be enjoyed on it's own.

Thanks, Z. A. Maxfield, for another great book!

As a gay man, I used to be a fan of short gay erotica, as found in such anthologies as "Best Gay Erotica" and "Friction." But in recent years, I've been turned off by most of the stories in these anthologies because they are often too kinky, focus on S&M, involve violence, or present the participants as being shallow with no lasting feelings for their partners. Recently a friend introduced me to the erotic gay novel, and I'm hooked. I've read perhaps half a dozen, and they are all written by women. Why is that? I think because women in general treat sex as going well beyond the simple physical act. Most of the gay novels I've read feature the participants as really caring for one another, and the sex itself doesn't focus just on dicks and asses, but on the whole person, including psychological components. Male writers tend to focus more on the role of dominance in a relationship, the pleasure of the orgasm, and the desire to climax. Opposed to that, what really appeals to me is a story in which the two guys spend lots of time turning each other on, talk to each other both during and after sex as though they really care, and enjoy not only the excruciating physical pleasure of the act but also the psychological involvement of deeply caring for the other person.

"Physical Therapy" is a good example of what I crave in gay erotica. Beyond sex, the story goes into Jordan's guilt feelings, based on his past actions. It's less explicit about how Ken, the other guy, happens to develop his attraction to Jordan, but the reader still gets the idea that Ken does indeed love (or least intensely like) Jordan.

One test of a good read is whether the scenario seems plausible. I was able to think that what happened between Jordan and Ken was believable. The actions of the supporting characters were also in the ballpark, which contributed to my high rating for this book. At the same time, in my limited exposure to this genre to date, I'd rate one author above Z.A. Maxfield. That is M.L. Rhodes. Her book, "Under My Skin," is the best gay erotica I've ever read. In what way? Sebastian and Dylan are very "real" people, with issues and feelings that any human being can relate to. The sex scenes are truly phenomenal and are skillfilly woven into the overall plot. I enjoyed "getting to know" both these men, and would have been happy to have either one of them as a lover.

Jordan Jensen has not led an exemplary life. He served time in prison for driving drunk and abused his body in ways he never should have. He believes himself beyond redemption. After coming to terms with his past, Jordan decides to dedicate his future to making up for the sins of his past even though his plan doesn't really allow him to be happy or loved. He journeys to St. Nacho's in search for the peace his best friend has found there and quickly finds himself at a loss when the community readily embraces him. Jordan is then surprised by the bond that he forms with Ken Ashton - a victim of a drunk diving accident. It's a relationship that has the potential to blossom into love. However, Jordan doesn't think he can allow himself the luxury or pleasure of this connection, especially if he wants to follow the path he has set for himself.

St. Nacho's 2: Physical Therapy is an excellent sequel to St. Nacho's where the reader first meets Jordan as a self-centered, out of control, and almost completely self-destructive man. However, this time around Z.A. Maxfield manages to redeem an almost unredeemable character by the depth of emotion and genuine grief that Jordan carries with him. As the story progresses Jordan becomes such a lovable character that you end up rooting for him with the same potency as you once disliked him. Jordan is, by far, one of the most surprising characters I've come across in a long time as his emotional journey is complex and heart wrenching when he travels the road from self-loathing to the possibility of love in his life in the form of Ken Ashton. Ken, on the other hand, is numb by the experience of his tragic accident, but for some reason, Jordan makes him feel alive and hopeful that his life can be better. The relationship between Jordan and Ken is rocky, plagued by Jordan's feelings of guilt and Ken's family's resistance. Against all odds it blooms into a romance to be envied. One where they both find strength in each other and become better men. This story is also peppered by unique and charming secondary characters that will envelop you completely and not let you go. As expected Z.A. Maxfield presents a clear emotional picture of Jordan and Ken without getting lost in the sadness of their past, yet she pushes all the right buttons to make you feel part of the story. Get yourself St. Nacho's 2: Physical Therapy the next time you are looking for a sexy emotional story with great characters, plot, and the miracle of love. You will be glad you did!

Sabella

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Jordan has a dark past... a really dark past. His past actually took the life a small child. In this sequal to ZA Maxwell's "St.Nacho's" Jordan joins friend and ex-lover Cooper in the seaside escape and builds up his life, not in an effort to forget his past, but in a struggle to create an better future. On his path to a peaceful solitary existence he meets Ken and victim of an accident and a former star athlete turned invalid. Jordan tries to avoid Ken like the plague being that Ken is the victim of a crime similar to that which Jordan commited in his small town.

This story tells Jordan's tale, with cameos from Cooper and other beloved characters from the previous work.

Great Book, dont miss the third installment Jacob's Ladder.

It's really great when a sequel lives up to the original, and this book...is really great. Jordan, from the first book, comes to St. Nacho's hoping for the fresh start and perhaps bit of the peace his friend Cooper has found there. Jordan is trying to start over after getting out of prison for killing someone while driving drunk. He is paired up as physical therapist for Ken, who's dreams of professional baseball were destroyed when a drunk driver hit him. I think you can see the conflict, no? Again Maxfield has written a realistic book with three dimensional characters. The flaws and imperfections in her characters are their greatest strengths AS characters. I happily recommend this whole series.

If you don't believe people who do bad things deserve second chances don't buy this book. Ken was a great hero, going after the man he wanted, and not letting anyone get in his way. Kyle was broken on the inside, and continuously punishing himself for the wrongs he had done in his past. I didn't read Shawn and Cooper story, but they both made an appearance in this book. These too guys getting together was heartwarming, and the supporting cast were the anchors to this story.

Physical Therapy was an excellent read. I don't usually say this about books of this genre, given that most of them are fairly formulaic and have little more substance than a daydream. This story, though, has real characters with real flaws and, thus, some real depth.

The protagonist, seeking to escape a shady past in an idyllic seaside American town (yes even featuring apple pie) with some genuinely nice, yet fairly 2 dimensional background characters, finds himself pursued by an equally flawed and determined ex-straight guy. They are both predictably "hot and horny" but are still believable enough that the reader can get into the plot without much trouble.

The story is emotionally charged enough that I found it compelling and, while the ending is utterly predictable, even elicited a smile from my jaded lips :)

I really enjoyed this book, Jordan & Ken's story was simply amazing to me. I could see and even feel the love and chemistry growing between them. It was such a good book i couldn't put it down lol. The sex was even hotter than I excepted. I wasn't expecting to enjoy as much as i did but i know that I'll be sure to look at more stories from this author.

I was glad to read this book and to know that Jordan finally got his life together. he had touched my heart ever since i first read about him in (St Nacho's). I always thought he deserved better and now in this story he found what he needed to make his life complete. Ken he saddened me that he had so much hurt inside him and i just don't mean the physical stuff, yet still I wanted to shake him and tell him to open up his eyes and really see Jordan. I was also grateful that Cooper and Shawn made a reappearance in this book as well. I hope there are more books to follow the growing family that lives in the town of Santo Ignacio.