NORTH POINT is Book One in Thom Collins’ M/M Thriller Series Jagged Shores. Set in Nyemouth, a small town on the North-East coast of England, the novel takes the reader on a suspenseful journey to a seaside summer vacation that turns romantic and murderous. Can love and romance blossom under such threatening circumstances?
One of the things I liked best about this not being a Queer YA novel is that there wasn’t any focus on angst surrounding coming out or self-acceptance; both our protagonists have fought these battles of identity and come out the other side. The romance in the story concentrates on the snags, issues, and complications of an adult gay male relationship–amid some danger and suspense, mind you. While Collins indulges in the trope of love at first sight, or the “instant connection,” which I have no issue with, he very smartly utilizes the “slow burn” approach to add tension and even frustration to the lives of his protagonists. The obstacles in front of these men from the beginning of their romance are valid and deserving of reflection and process. If they want it, which they definitely do, they must work for it and figure it out.
Along with the apprehension of starting and nurturing what could be a long-distance relationship, Arnie has a child, and Collins does not write him as a disposable plot device. AJ has a distinct personality and a significant role in the storyline and the success of the HEA. Arnie is a father first and readily embraces this role, but this status doesn’t negate the validity of his desire for an adult romantic relationship.
The fact that both Arnie and Dom rightly factor AJ into the equation speaks to the quality of their makeup. And it showcases Collins’ ability to write complexity into characters that may appear at surface level easily likable, physically attractive, and successful. But Collins is smart. He knows no one is perfect; everyone has a past. Arnie and Dom have both made some poor choices. And we soon see the outcome of some of them. I’ll take problematic exes for two hundred, Alex!
The author’s use of inner dialogue masterfully showcases Arnie and Dom’s mental navigation of the tricky waters of love, each man separately weighing the pros and cons of starting a romantic relationship. Some readers might feel there’s too much reflection and contemplation. That it takes too long to resolve their mutual attraction satisfactorily. Not to me. It shows maturity, even realism, when Arnie and Dominic take their situation seriously and don’t just dive in heads first. Arnie is at the point of knowing he wants and deserves a life partner, not just another fling. Same for Dominic, who realizes his friends-with-benefits situation with another townie is not fulfilling. Especially not when he sets eyes on Arnie. Talk about butterflies in the stomach!
The danger and suspense aspect of the story is plotted cleverly but not overly complicated. Who is the villain here? There are a few possibilities, but Collins’ clues are sparse. This way, in a story limited by a small cast of characters, readers won’t discern the identity of the psycho too quickly. This is a Thriller within the body of a Romance, not the other way around. Collins is not trying to be Christie or Grisham here, and the dark, suspenseful drama does not overshadow the gay romance story.
Having read the following two books in the series, I see the design of Collins’ storytelling here, and it’s a creative composition that works well. While the thriller aspect of the story increases in intensity with each novel, the romance, the desire, and the interpersonal relationships remain shining brightly at the forefront. This is where Queer Thriller and M/M Romance successfully integrate. Collins can do it, and I’m here for it.
North Point (Jagged Shores Book One) is available for purchase at amazon.ca, amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. For more information about this author, follow Thom Collins on Instagram & Twitter. Also, check out his website.
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