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Domestic Relations
Life has thrown a lot at Riley, most of it bad. But Riley is nothing if not stubborn, and though it left scars, he's managed to break free of the worst of his life. Not all of his problems are gone, but life is certainly better than it's ever been. Most of that is due to his boyfriend Josh, the best thing that life has given him, and Riley will do anything to keep hold of him.
But when past and present collide, and the problems become too much for Riley to contain or control, Josh is the very thing he stands most to lose …
But when past and present collide, and the problems become too much for Riley to contain or control, Josh is the very thing he stands most to lose …
137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2012
1 person is currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
K-lee Klein
57 books310 followersK-lee Klein grew up in the beautiful mountains of British Columbia and now lives only two hours away in Calgary, Alberta. Her life is blessed by three now-grown (but still spoiled) kids and an adorable grandson who calls her Gwaa Gwaa. She has a patient husband of over thirty years and spends her days being bossed around by a kitten named Poe, a senior feline called, Miss Chili, and a canine who thinks she's a princess, Chewie.
K-lee’s writing muse is terribly temperamental so to keep him close by and in-check, she had him inked on her left calf. Yet she still writes on his schedule and inspiration, and quite honestly, he can be a bit of a drama queen. K-lee writes mostly contemporary but has forayed into paranormal and urban fantasy, and her favorite tropes to write and read are hurt-comfort, friends to lovers, opposites attract, and relationships with children. Her biggest accomplishment as an author was overcoming all the hurdles to transition from publisher releases to her first self-published book.
Although K-lee considers herself to be an extroverted introvert and revels in her solitude, she very much enjoys traveling to conferences to meet up with friends old and new. She’s grateful for all the people in her life who accept her as she is and support her through the ups and downs as a mom, wife, friend, and joyfully obsessed writer.
K-lee’s writing muse is terribly temperamental so to keep him close by and in-check, she had him inked on her left calf. Yet she still writes on his schedule and inspiration, and quite honestly, he can be a bit of a drama queen. K-lee writes mostly contemporary but has forayed into paranormal and urban fantasy, and her favorite tropes to write and read are hurt-comfort, friends to lovers, opposites attract, and relationships with children. Her biggest accomplishment as an author was overcoming all the hurdles to transition from publisher releases to her first self-published book.
Although K-lee considers herself to be an extroverted introvert and revels in her solitude, she very much enjoys traveling to conferences to meet up with friends old and new. She’s grateful for all the people in her life who accept her as she is and support her through the ups and downs as a mom, wife, friend, and joyfully obsessed writer.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 8, 2012
Domestic Relations is a beautifully written story about love, trust, courage, forgiveness and new beginnings. I admire Ms. Klein's ability to create unforgettable characters and give them real, human flaws. I want to live with characters, I want to share their journey, and that's exactly what this book gave me. I loved it, from beginning to end, and I recommend it highly!
March 7, 2016
OK... either I am getting old (which is a fact) or those two on the cover look like high school kids, not established lawyers! I also want to go on record saying that Bubba and Loretta stole the show... Bubba just rocked! As for Riley and Josh... while I appreciate the love they felt for each other... they annoyed the hell out of me! *headdesk* How in the world their relationship survived for over three years with all the crap that was going on behind the scenes still amazes me! I have read a few other books where one MC does all of the work in the relationship while the other MC plays the "I am strong and don't need any help fixing my seriously screwed up life"! I don't like it, I will never like it and that is the reason for the three-star rating! I liked Riley, I really did... but how is a relationship supposed to work when there is not "us" involved? There were many good qualities about this story and then there were the few times that it drug so slow it was like a record player on the wrong speed! (I know, my age is showing) but in the end... which I didn't think was ever going to get here... I was glad to see that Riley had a plan for making the "us" factor take first place in their relationship! And did I say, "Bubba, rocked!" LOL!
July 17, 2016
At about 40% I was ready to whack Riley upside the head. He had too many secrets and was hiding too much from the man that had been his partner through most of his adult life. I still don't fully understand why he was keeping the family secrets. Yes, his family has some serious bad apples, but not telling Josh what was happening just did not make sense. Riley putting up with his seriously homophobic boss just threw me for a loop. Riley is an attorney representing a client for a wrongful termination lawsuit with facts that are almost an exact match for what Riley puts up with everyday. I was starting to wonder if maybe Riley was not all that good of an attorney.
At about 60% I was starting to like Riley a little more, but the man could have saved himself from a lot of grief if he had just been upfront and honest the whole time. Josh is almost ready for his sainthood with all the stuff he had to endure before Riley fessed up.
At about 60% I was starting to like Riley a little more, but the man could have saved himself from a lot of grief if he had just been upfront and honest the whole time. Josh is almost ready for his sainthood with all the stuff he had to endure before Riley fessed up.
August 5, 2013
Sometimes we start down a path and realize that finishing the course of it may very well lose us the very things we set out to save. Riley has a terrible secret and his partner Josh knows that something is causing his lover’s life to unravel but can only hope that somehow Riley will trust him enough to come clean.
While Josh suspects everything from an affair to the possibility of Riley leaving him outright, he tenaciously hangs on and weathers the worst storm of their six year relationship. With Josh’s amazing support, Riley is finally able to put his nightmare of a past behind him and fully confess to Josh all the secrets that have become the nightmare he is living.
Domestic Relations is the story of two up and coming hotshot lawyers, who also happen to be best friends and lovers. At the onset, there is an obvious tension that pervades their lives and it is all due to the secrets Riley has been keeping from Josh.
K-lee Klein once again proves herself to be the queen in writing love stories that are not only grounded in reality but so well done that you automatically want to reach for her next novel without hesitation. This author has the uncanny gift of making fiction come alive, writing story lines that are plausible, and creating characters that are real, living, breathing people on the page.
As I followed the turmoil that Riley’s decisions and secrets produced in both himself and Josh, I was once more swept up into the fictional lives of two men who more than once stole my heart and made me gnash my teeth in frustration. I clutched my kindle in despair when it seemed that this relationship was doomed and sighed with relief when Josh (who I secretly want to marry) gave Riley yet one more chance to confess and bring their partnership back on track.
This is the tell-tell sign of excellent writing–that it grabs us up and hurls us unflinchingly into the story and carries us along to the last words on the page.
While Josh suspects everything from an affair to the possibility of Riley leaving him outright, he tenaciously hangs on and weathers the worst storm of their six year relationship. With Josh’s amazing support, Riley is finally able to put his nightmare of a past behind him and fully confess to Josh all the secrets that have become the nightmare he is living.
Domestic Relations is the story of two up and coming hotshot lawyers, who also happen to be best friends and lovers. At the onset, there is an obvious tension that pervades their lives and it is all due to the secrets Riley has been keeping from Josh.
K-lee Klein once again proves herself to be the queen in writing love stories that are not only grounded in reality but so well done that you automatically want to reach for her next novel without hesitation. This author has the uncanny gift of making fiction come alive, writing story lines that are plausible, and creating characters that are real, living, breathing people on the page.
As I followed the turmoil that Riley’s decisions and secrets produced in both himself and Josh, I was once more swept up into the fictional lives of two men who more than once stole my heart and made me gnash my teeth in frustration. I clutched my kindle in despair when it seemed that this relationship was doomed and sighed with relief when Josh (who I secretly want to marry) gave Riley yet one more chance to confess and bring their partnership back on track.
This is the tell-tell sign of excellent writing–that it grabs us up and hurls us unflinchingly into the story and carries us along to the last words on the page.
September 4, 2012
Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews
Hmmm, difficult to decide what I truly thought of this book, because I liked Josh very much. I thought he was a solid, decent, loving character. He is trying his best, being forgiving (way too forgiving, really) and doing everything he can to stand beside his man. Which is where my issue with it comes in.
Riley has had a terrible childhood due to his father (we don’t really get the whole back story on that) and he is doing things now to stay out of the father’s way. I didn’t understand why he’s been with Josh for three years, has known him for seven, and been able to keep these massive secrets all this time. He has a LOT of huge secrets. There are moments (such as Josh’s elbow) when really, I wanted Josh to either demand Riley spill it or leave. I would maybe have accepted some of it, but Riley just keeps on doing it throughout.
Riley tells Josh, and by extension the reader, but he shows something completely different for me. He showed lack of trust in Josh that is astonishing in its depth. I’m not sure how Josh can move forward in the future and overlook that. We are talking years here. At one point, when Riley is once again pushing Josh away and Josh admits he is very close to leaving Riley, Riley has the nerve to act shocked. Come on! Even when he is coming clean about work, he keeps it a secret “prayed Josh would understand why he hadn’t given him the heads up on the events of the day”. Considering Josh is involved both professionally and personally, Riley had no reason not to say.
I’m hoping Byron and Jared come up in a story, as they are a cute coincidence. Maybe we can see Riley and Josh in the future and see what happens.
Hmmm, difficult to decide what I truly thought of this book, because I liked Josh very much. I thought he was a solid, decent, loving character. He is trying his best, being forgiving (way too forgiving, really) and doing everything he can to stand beside his man. Which is where my issue with it comes in.
Riley has had a terrible childhood due to his father (we don’t really get the whole back story on that) and he is doing things now to stay out of the father’s way. I didn’t understand why he’s been with Josh for three years, has known him for seven, and been able to keep these massive secrets all this time. He has a LOT of huge secrets. There are moments (such as Josh’s elbow) when really, I wanted Josh to either demand Riley spill it or leave. I would maybe have accepted some of it, but Riley just keeps on doing it throughout.
Riley tells Josh, and by extension the reader, but he shows something completely different for me. He showed lack of trust in Josh that is astonishing in its depth. I’m not sure how Josh can move forward in the future and overlook that. We are talking years here. At one point, when Riley is once again pushing Josh away and Josh admits he is very close to leaving Riley, Riley has the nerve to act shocked. Come on! Even when he is coming clean about work, he keeps it a secret “prayed Josh would understand why he hadn’t given him the heads up on the events of the day”. Considering Josh is involved both professionally and personally, Riley had no reason not to say.
I’m hoping Byron and Jared come up in a story, as they are a cute coincidence. Maybe we can see Riley and Josh in the future and see what happens.
March 13, 2015
2.5 stars
This book felt a lot like a first draft. It was obvious the author knew a lot about her characters and they really felt like lawyers, but other than that, there was very little story.
The actual story itself is pretty uninspired, and the characters are pretty one-dimensional (the abusive alcoholic parent, the homophobic boss straight out of a caricature, even, to some extent, Josh, the love interest).
The thing is, I could be totally fine with the relatively cliched setup if there was more of a story. Instead, we get a thimbleful and a lot of exposition that's often repetitive and doesn't really give us insight into the characters or the story. We're only told once where the story even takes place, so there's very little sense of place, and it's also confusing at times because Riley suggests he'd "left the state" to avoid is Dad but he obviously grew up in Indiana (?) or wherever the story takes place.
It would have been nice to see things develop and slowly unravel instead of the way things are handled here. Maybe even see Josh's family at some point as a counterpoint to Riley's.
All in all, it wasn't a BAD book, but it really needed an editor and another draft. I found myself not really caring about the characters and skimming/power reading through a lot of it.
Though it did have a couple hot sex scenes, overall, I'd give this one a pass.
This book felt a lot like a first draft. It was obvious the author knew a lot about her characters and they really felt like lawyers, but other than that, there was very little story.
The actual story itself is pretty uninspired, and the characters are pretty one-dimensional (the abusive alcoholic parent, the homophobic boss straight out of a caricature, even, to some extent, Josh, the love interest).
The thing is, I could be totally fine with the relatively cliched setup if there was more of a story. Instead, we get a thimbleful and a lot of exposition that's often repetitive and doesn't really give us insight into the characters or the story. We're only told once where the story even takes place, so there's very little sense of place, and it's also confusing at times because Riley suggests he'd "left the state" to avoid is Dad but he obviously grew up in Indiana (?) or wherever the story takes place.
It would have been nice to see things develop and slowly unravel instead of the way things are handled here. Maybe even see Josh's family at some point as a counterpoint to Riley's.
All in all, it wasn't a BAD book, but it really needed an editor and another draft. I found myself not really caring about the characters and skimming/power reading through a lot of it.
Though it did have a couple hot sex scenes, overall, I'd give this one a pass.
February 7, 2014
Now this starts out smokin-hot..with an intriguing courtroom scene involving a very annoyed judge, two cock-sure attorneys pitted in a tense-verbal combat session against one another..culminating to one attorney headed to the slammer for contempt of court..and the other..cues our next scene..to his home indulging in jacking..washing his stress away..while unbeknownst to him..jailbird attorney #1 enters the shower behind him..resulting in sinuously decadent wet sex complimented with witty-passionate dialogue.
Things proceed onward looking good..with some clever character fleshing..into both of these lovers and their long-term relationship..one loves to f*ck the other w/his eyeglasses on..gets horny when he sees his lover working away on his ipad wearing one of his t-shirts..simple little things like this are what really cement authenticity into a story.
The beginning alone was ★★★5☆☆ star worthy.
BUT..alas..our inferno flames start to wane..right when our conflict must be introduced.
And..so the story goes..we were left with a melodramatic-predictable-sap of a fizzled production.
STILL probably one of the best beginnings to a book I've read in this genre. Nicely-done.
Things proceed onward looking good..with some clever character fleshing..into both of these lovers and their long-term relationship..one loves to f*ck the other w/his eyeglasses on..gets horny when he sees his lover working away on his ipad wearing one of his t-shirts..simple little things like this are what really cement authenticity into a story.
The beginning alone was ★★★5☆☆ star worthy.
BUT..alas..our inferno flames start to wane..right when our conflict must be introduced.
And..so the story goes..we were left with a melodramatic-predictable-sap of a fizzled production.
STILL probably one of the best beginnings to a book I've read in this genre. Nicely-done.
May 16, 2013
I love a broken character. It takes a lot of guts to leave a character flawed for the readers to see and mainly not see in a good light. Ms. Klein has done that with Riley James.
Riley has been keeping secrets of his past from his partner Josh. Not telling Josh the whole truth of his life is coming to bite him in the butt when his abusive father returns. In keeping his secrets, Riley has been able to keep his grandmother safe.
Josh has noticed the strain Riley is under. He watches the man he loves slowly disappear from stress and pressure. He’s determined not to let Riley’s secrets come between. He’s patient, loving, and strong. Josh was my favorite character…besides Bubba of course!
I really enjoyed this book from K-lee Klein! I think the story its self is solid. I just wish Josh would have lost it for a minute. He was so strong and so well put together. I would have like to see him come undone.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good angst read with a HEA.
Riley has been keeping secrets of his past from his partner Josh. Not telling Josh the whole truth of his life is coming to bite him in the butt when his abusive father returns. In keeping his secrets, Riley has been able to keep his grandmother safe.
Josh has noticed the strain Riley is under. He watches the man he loves slowly disappear from stress and pressure. He’s determined not to let Riley’s secrets come between. He’s patient, loving, and strong. Josh was my favorite character…besides Bubba of course!
I really enjoyed this book from K-lee Klein! I think the story its self is solid. I just wish Josh would have lost it for a minute. He was so strong and so well put together. I would have like to see him come undone.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good angst read with a HEA.
May 25, 2014
Becky Reviews Domestic Relations by K-lee Klein
http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...
REVIEW: Domestic Relations is the story of two gay lawyers who are in a relationship but one of them withholds deep, dark secrets from the other. This is about what happens when trust and courage are one-sided instead of shared.
When Riley has no choice but to either share his past and his secrets with Josh or lose Josh he continues to make the wrong decision until he realizes how much he really has to lose.
The plot moves along at a good pace but there are a few places where it seems rushed to complete a sub-arc. This didn’t make me enjoy the book any less but it does reveal how much K-lee Klein has grown as a writer since then. I loved the true HEA at the end of the story, but the thing I loved most was the telling off of a bully earlier. That was a very satisfying moment in a book that up until then was full of tension and angst. Good story, great characters.
http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...
REVIEW: Domestic Relations is the story of two gay lawyers who are in a relationship but one of them withholds deep, dark secrets from the other. This is about what happens when trust and courage are one-sided instead of shared.
When Riley has no choice but to either share his past and his secrets with Josh or lose Josh he continues to make the wrong decision until he realizes how much he really has to lose.
The plot moves along at a good pace but there are a few places where it seems rushed to complete a sub-arc. This didn’t make me enjoy the book any less but it does reveal how much K-lee Klein has grown as a writer since then. I loved the true HEA at the end of the story, but the thing I loved most was the telling off of a bully earlier. That was a very satisfying moment in a book that up until then was full of tension and angst. Good story, great characters.
November 5, 2012
It was a good story. I had some issues though, Riley kept A LOT of sh*t from Josh for 3 years. It wasn't just a bad past or a long ago issue, this was constant real time problems. Two things; one how did he keep it from Josh and why for 3 years and my God I would have been over the moon p*ssed at being kept in the dark for that long!
January 28, 2015
A great read for me. Quite an easy story with a non too deep premise. The two mc's are lawyers and we meet them in court and then in the shower - with humourous references to one having been held in contempt earlier in the day. Riley's troubles grow and the his tension buildup is quite good, though I was expecting more out of why he was working for the firm he does. Josh is worried and patient and wants to help Riley but Riley closes in on hmself. The story is about Riley learning to open up and trust Josh. I thought it was good, really enjoyed it and it had a nice happy ending. Read well and felt like a longer read.
September 29, 2012
Man, this is one hot book. For all their insecurities and angst, there is still much lust between this pair. So that was good.
I struggled a bit with the style. It was often repetitive, even using the same words and phrases over. That Riley held all those secrets in for three years was slightly unbelieveable, and I hope he got that ulcer looked at (What? I worry okay?)
Josh's strength and loyalty were great, Bubba was great, and I wished we could have had more Jared & Byron, and David and his men.
Angsty but nicely balanced with humour & warmth.
I struggled a bit with the style. It was often repetitive, even using the same words and phrases over. That Riley held all those secrets in for three years was slightly unbelieveable, and I hope he got that ulcer looked at (What? I worry okay?)
Josh's strength and loyalty were great, Bubba was great, and I wished we could have had more Jared & Byron, and David and his men.
Angsty but nicely balanced with humour & warmth.
September 6, 2014
I don't know why, but I think this book is just not sit with me. Usually I love all the lovey-dovey-possesive character, but I guess Riley is just too much. I mean, yes he had a dark past that he wants to forget and avoid, but shouldn't he told his life partner (for 6 years!) about it? and the whole 'mysterious' thing that Riley keep saying but not revealing it until the end is kinda weird. I thought he is going to do something big and crucially, but it's not like that at all. yeah, so it just 2.5 star for me.
October 3, 2014
Riley and josh been together for years both lawyers and good at their job, but riley is keeping a secrets its not all bad ones and deep but he just wanted the past to go away. but of course secrets always have a way coming out. But for josh he knows riley keeping things from him, he of course starts thinking the worst. But josh is patience and loves riley, but is it enough.
September 1, 2016
There was not much going on in the plot. All the background stuff was quickly woven in. I feel like it was too fast-paced to make the reader feel any emotion towards or for the MCs. Not a favorite read I felt no real emotion when I read it. Could have been better.
Shelved as 'wrote-it'
June 30, 2012Pretty new cover. Thank you Less Than Three. :)
February 24, 2013
I have to say K-lee Klein is one of my new favorite authors.
November 7, 2014
2.75 stars
September 11, 2012
3.5-4 stars.
I liked the characters. They were sweet and so very much in love.
But, the reasons why Riley kept all this stuff from Josh didn't really get through to me.
I liked the characters. They were sweet and so very much in love.
But, the reasons why Riley kept all this stuff from Josh didn't really get through to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 21, 2012Just not working for me for some reason.
October 24, 2012
2.5 stars
November 27, 2012
I enjoyed this one a lot. I was not familiar with the author, so was not sure what to expect. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise though. I look forward to reading more from this author.
December 11, 2012
3.75 stars
December 31, 2012
This was a well written novel that was not for me. Riley's lies/omissions made him an unlikeable character and all I kept thinking was Josh deserved someone better. 2.5 stars.
September 22, 2013
This was a decent read. It wasn't altogether memorable, but not bad. There was a bit of angst, but the book was short so the story moved pretty fast.
September 10, 2012
I enjoyed this one way more than I was expecting. What a very pleasant surprise !!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews