Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Sleeping with the enemy never felt so good.
When Paul Davenport comes face to face with the man he caught in bed with his boyfriend years before, it’s hate at first sight. Well, second sight. Indy should be apologizing, not flirting. Except the gorgeous barman is completely oblivious to their paths ever having crossed before. 

Despite his feelings, Paul’s powerless to resist the full-on charm offensive that follows. It’s fine though. It’s just sex. No emotions. No getting to know each other. Just a bout of temporary insanity that’s sure to run its course once the simmering passion starts to wear off.

Only what if it’s not? Indy’s nothing like the man Paul expected him to be from his past actions. What if they’re perfect for each other and Paul’s just too stubborn to see it? Forging a relationship with him would require an emotional U-turn Paul might not be capable of making.

There’s a thin line between love and hate, and Paul’s about to discover just how thin it really is. He can’t possibly be falling for the man that ruined his life. Can he?

What could be more awkward than accidentally running into the guy who cheated with your boyfriend and ruined your relationship?  How about if said guy has no idea who you are?  I was cringing for Paul when he walked up to the bar and realized why the guy looked familiar.  Except, of course, the last time he saw the man he was riding Paul’s ex-boyfriend.  Awkward.

Paul waits for “…guilt, followed by a string of abject apologies.”   Except Indy likes the look of Paul and flirts but doesn’t remember him, other than a “You know, it’s weird, sometimes I think you look slightly familiar. Have we met before?”  I could sympathize with Paul – it was a life-changing event and Indy doesn’t even remember.  “Just over three years ago, I came home to find you in bed with my boyfriend.  His name is Stephen, in case it happens to you a lot and you can’t remember which one it was.  So that’s probably why I seem so familiar.”   While Indy gives a “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry”, I was super irritated that he was pretty blasé about it.  “…three years is a long time. Can’t we put it behind us and move on?”

I very nearly gave this book three stars because I couldn’t figure out why Indy kept pursuing Paul in the wake of their past and Paul’s rudeness to him.  Glutton for punishment?  “Because you don’t like me and you can’t forgive me for making a stupid mistake years ago.”   I had to step back, though, and consider that Indy was not the guilty party in that affair.  The ex was. 

With the advice of Paul’s new friend, Gabrielle, he goes on a hunt for hate sex with Indy.  Which, I should say, he’s really bad at.  Especially since there are times when he does wonder if Indy and Stephen did the things he and Indy were doing.  “So how did I compare to my ex?”   Indy isn’t having it though, “Can’t we forget about it: Or at least find some way to move past it? We’re good together.”

We get a lot of denial on Paul’s part.  It is sex only, no feelings, he doesn’t like Indy, his tattoos, his attitude, nothing.  Umm, hmmm.   “I didn’t want to see him that way though. That was the path to madness, to feelings I couldn’t entertain.” 

There is a secondary plot woven here regarding Paul’s friend, Dom, and the boss of the company, Tristan.  They have a book, completely focusing on them, Temporary Situation which I haven’t read.  I don’t think you need to in order to enjoy this book, as it appears both stories are happening at the same time.  I will now go back and read Temporary Situation.

It was entertaining to me how he was giving advice to Dom and considering him stubborn for his treatment of Tristan and he was so blind to his own situation. Indy gives so many opportunities for Paul to admit they have more than sex but he is twice as stubborn as Dom. Even when Indy gives up, he gives Paul a chance to make it right.  Paul, of course, flubs it entirely and makes everything so much worse.

The side characters, Gabrielle, Paul’s virgin friend Russell, Dom, Tristan and Paul’s family play important roles here and are fully fleshed out characters.  Paul’s issues with his family seem real and so frustrating. Being forced to attend lavish parties, attending holidays where he really isn’t wanted and doesn’t want to be there, having the whole family not listen or understand what he wants.  It added to the story and to understanding Paul.  Getting to know more about Indy’s past  added depth to his character.  And the elephants?  Just made everything better.

The book sets up the next one in the series, obviously going to focus on Russell, shy, virginal Russell.  “You’re never going to believe what he’s been up to and who with.”  Teaser successful, because I want to know what he’s been up to and who with!  I thoroughly enjoyed the humor in this book and the writing really worked for me.

The cover, showing Indy with his tattoos set against the city backdrop, is pretty close to showing how I visualized him. 

Sales Link:  Amazon

Book Details:

book
Expected publication: August 29th 2019
Edition Language English
Series Temporary #2