Rating: 4 stars out of 5
To architecture student Ian Carney, family means everything. Taken in by his brother, Jim, when his father threw him out at eighteen for being gay, Ian yearns to create his own family with his boyfriend, Rico. But Rico’s in Mexico caring for a sick father, Ian hasn’t had sex in a month and a half, and his gorgeous boss, Braden Lord, CEO of the architectural firm Ian interns for, is looking better and better.
Braden’s life is chaos. Just out of the closet and going through an ugly divorce from his wife of fifteen years who’s trying to take custody of his two children, he desperately resolves not to succumb to a completely inappropriate attraction to Ian—even though his kids adore both the man and his crazy cat.
When Rico proves to be a snake in the grass and Ian exercises his powers of seduction, what starts as a “friends with benefits” fling turns into real life real fast. Can Ian give up his romantic dreams for an “old guy” who didn’t come out until he carried a mountain of baggage? It’ll only take a thousand steps.
I’ve been a big fan of this series since the beginning. One of the great things is that they are all good stories, not recycled tropes that you’ve seen again and again.
In this installment we get to know Ian, a young architect student who is young, in love, and interning at his dream firm. Until his boyfriend goes to Mexico and doesn’t come back.
Braden is a partner in the firm. Going through an ugly divorce, fighting for custody of his kids, and recently coming out of the closet makes his life crazy. He does not need to be attracted to Ian, the young intern.
So the boss/intern thing has been done to death, but I really like how this was done. Involving the kids and a cat who likes walks and the beach was a fresh perspective. Being friends while fighting their attraction. And finding out that collaborating on projects brings magic.
Ian craves the life Braden can bring him, but Braden fears losing what is important in his life if he succumbs to Ian.
The tentative love affair they begin is both sweet and hot. The chemistry between the two was obvious and not forced at all.
Definitely add this to your list. You don’t have to read the others, but you’ll be glad you did.
Cover art by Reese Dante is gorgeous and in step with the novel.
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Book Details:
ebook, 220 pages
Expected publication: August 31st 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN 1634776666 (ISBN13: 9781634776660)
Edition LanguageEnglish
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 