Rating: 2 stars out of 5
The blurb sounded very interesting so I looked forward to starting this book. Unfortunately, it fell far short of expectations. Truman was obnoxious in his haughty conceit and demeanor and by 30% I was ready to DNF. But—and it’s a big but—I wanted to give this new author a chance to show me her work so I went on and, although Truman never became likeable (IMO), he wasn’t quite as bad once I got to know him. An Oscar-winning actor, former model, and highly sought after bachelor, it’s no wonder Truman thinks he’s hot stuff, so it intrigues him when one of the young men he meets at the “after-Oscar” party isn’t all that impressed.
Yay for Adam. Smart man. And one of the only smart moves he makes in this story. Twenty-seven-year-old Adam suffers from social anxiety and is an introvert. He’s a writer of litRPG books and happens to currently be living with a (mean) stepbrother while his apartment is cleared of mold. Unfortunately, Adam comes across as childish and immature and there’s no way on God’s green earth I can see these two enjoying a date together or time hanging around the house, as they did in the book. It was like watching a shark and his little minnow-sized fish as the shark told the fish how compatible they were and the minnow alternated between nodding his head yes and then swimming away. In addition, Adam’s character and actions in some situations was OTT fem and teen-girlish. I don’t think the author deliberately intended him to come across that way, since his fem side was never mentioned as such, but I was very put off by his reactions in certain situations since they reminded me of my daughter when she was in her late teens. And, most certainly, they were not the reactions of a twenty-seven-year-old adult man.
The plot consisted mostly of Truman trying to win Adam’s interest and then Truman whisking Adam away once their relationship becomes known in the media so that he can protect Adam, and as a side benefit, get to know him better, and vice versa. They fly to Ireland and boat out to Truman’s private island where they do indeed get to know one another better and the virginal, shy Adam eventually gives Truman what he wants. Because—here on the island is where Truman’s true self shows, and the real, non-actor comes out. This reader wasn’t really impressed. To me, the shark got his minnow and became sold on wanting more and more minnow. In any event, the threat eventually disappears, Adam loves Truman’s home, his extended family in town, and—surprise—Adam loves Truman and Truman loves Adam. All is HEA in their world.
Sadly, this is not a story I can recommend. Of note: the cover features a bearded handsome man in a white T-shirt with a look of arrogance on his face—one eyebrow raised and an “I am the greatest” look about him. Sums up my opinion of him well, and if I’d seen the cover first, I may not have read the book.
Sales Links: Amazon
Book Details:
Kindle Edition, 183 pages
Published October 15th 2019
ASIN B07Z7CVDCN
Series Priorities #1
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 