instant attraction | Open Skye Book Reviews

Release Day Review: To Love Again by Andria Large

Dreamspinner
https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/to-love-again-by-andria-large-9853-b

Blurb:
Jack
Leaving was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. He would have killed me if I stayed, though. I couldn’t have done it without Warwick’s help. Not only did he give me the out I needed, but also a safe place to live. With my ex looming around every corner, looking for the chance to get his hands on me, I received the best gift ever—a month in England—and I took it!

Warwick
England was supposed to help Jack get away from his ex and find himself again. I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with him there. Especially when I knew he might stay… indefinitely. With my busy schedule as an ER doctor, an ocean between us, and the trust issues his abusive ex inflicted, the chance of a successful long-distance relationship is close to zero. Loving Jack may be the one thing I can’t fix.

Review:

Wow! For a short story, it packed quite a bit in.
Jack has been taken to the ER by his boyfriend, (read abuser), after sustaining injuries from a “fall”. It is not hard to guess what really happened as Warwick, the ER doctor, correctly assesses.
Warwick is a UK transplant working as an ER doctor in Baltimore. When meets Jack, he is immediately drawn to him, first as a healer and then something more. He tries to help Jack get away from the abusive situation, but as is so often the case, the victim is too afraid to leave. Despite that, he gives Jack a way to contact him if he should ever need help. Sadly, Jack does need the help and he finds the courage to get away to safety, to Warwick.
The subject of domestic abuse is not light, but it was portrayed in such a way that it didn’t make the story depressing. Instead, it focused more on how Jack dealt with the aftermath of abuse – adjusting to not having to cower, not having to ask permission to do things, or having to ask what to watch on the box or what to eat.
The attraction between the 2 men developed naturally. Some may wonder why Jack would be attracted to anyone after just coming out of an abusive relationship, but that relationship had soured several months ago, so it made sense.
Diandra, Warwick’s and Jack’s family round out the characters and made a good support group for Jack.
I really liked the story – some parts were a little rushed, (the MCs overall relationship and the end), but it’s really a bright (vs dour) read given the subject matter.

4 stars out of 5

Copy Generously Provided for Honest Review

Release Day Review: Wanted – Bad Boyfriend by TA Moore

Dreamspinner Presents
https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/wanted-bad-boyfriend-by-ta-moore-9824-b

Blurb: Island Classifieds: Book One

His mother. His best friend. The barmaid at the local pub. Everyone is determined to find Nathan Moffatt a boyfriend. It’s the last thing Nathan wants. After spending every day making sure his clients experience nothing but romantic magic, the Granshire Hotel’s wedding organizer just wants to go home, binge watch crime dramas, and eat pizza in his underwear.
Unfortunately, no one believes him, and he’s stuck with lectures about dying alone. Then inspiration strikes. He needs the people in his life to want him to stay single as much as he does. He needs a bad boyfriend.

There’s only one man for the job.

Flynn Delaney is used to people on the island of Ceremony thinking the worst of him. But he isn’t sure he wants the dubious honor of worst boyfriend on the entire island. On the other hand, if he plays along, he gets to hang out with the gorgeous Nathan and piss off the owners of the Granshire Hotel. It’s a win-win.

There’s only one problem—Flynn’s actually quite a good boyfriend, and now Nathan’s wondering if getting off the sofa occasionally is really the worst thing in the world.

Review:
This is a fun, sweet and offbeat story of two men that aren’t really honest about their attraction to each other.
Flynn is the island’s resident ‘bad boy’ – when in reality, he’s a bit of a loner and doesn’t bother to correct the rumours and assumptions the islanders make.
Nate is sort of the opposite – a nice guy who’s moved back in with his mum to look after her.
Nate feels that his mum and best friend (Max) are giving him grief for not having a boyfriend, so to shut everyone up, he decides to ‘date’ bad boy, Flynn. The relationship is only supposed last a few dates then they’ll break up. However, they don’t figure in the fact that they are really attracted to each other.

I enjoyed the banter and their internal musings were very funny. TA Moore has self-deprecating down to a fine art! While most of the humour is subtle, there is one laugh out loud scene with a kid! (so funny). I found the quotes at the beginning of each chapter to be a clever way of showing what people thought of Flynn, Nate and people in general.
The overall development of their relationship flowed well but sometimes, I wanted to bang the MC’s heads together whenever either of them would do something to distance themselves from their obvious attraction.
With a bit of drama from the best friend (Max) and Max’s dad, this is a really good story.
Definitely recommend as a fun, well-paced read.

4 stars out of 5

Copy Generously Provided for Honest Review

Recent Release: Taking Love’s Lead by H.L. Day

Good Reads Link
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40663967-taking-love-s-lead?ac=1&from_search=true

Blurb: Zachary Cole’s new personal shopper is stunning in more ways than one. Gone is the staid, professional Jonathan. In his place is sexy, whirlwind Edgar, whose methods and lifestyle are less than orthodox. Still reeling from the experience, Zack can’t get him out of his head. He needs to see him again. Even if it does involve dragging his heavily pregnant sister and her dalmatian into his cunning plan.

Sick of being dumped yet again, dog-walker Edgar’s pledged to stay single and put energy into finding a career more suited to an adult instead. Zack might be extremely tempting…and just happen to pop up wherever he goes, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to change his mind. He’s got bigger priorities in life than a website designer after a brief walk on the wild side. His heart’s taken enough of a bruising. He’s not prepared to get dumped again.

Zack wants love. Edgar only wants friendship. Can the two men find common ground amid the chaos of Edgar’s life? Or is Zack going to find that no matter what he does, there’s no happy ending and he’ll have to walk away?

Review:
This is a fun, sweet and offbeat story of opposites attract.
Edgar and Zack couldn’t have been more opposite and yet, so meant for each other.
Edgar is a professional dog walker who feels compelled to get a ‘grown up’ job (not his words). He applies to be a personal shopper – it’s hilarious how he gets rid of the other candidates for the job – pure genius ☺. Anyway, he gets the job on a trial basis, which is how he meets Zach, a web designer. Zack is a staid, by the book kind of guy, but somehow finds himself intrigued by and bending the rules for Edgar.
Zack decides to pursue Edgar, the latter having sworn off relationships. What ensues is a comedy of errors that was fun to read.
The banter and the overall development of their relationship is fun to read. The point where Zack shows that he’s in the relationship for the long haul, is tender and sweet.
Definitely recommend as a fun, well-paced read.

4 stars out of 5

Copy Generously Provided for Honest Review