Rating: 4 stars out of 5
When recent college graduate Nathan Harris makes a life-changing move out from under his mother’s thumb and into his own place, he is determined to take some risks. He is tired of not being good enough, tired of allowing his fears to control him.
What he thought would be an exciting adventure ends up being one jaw-dropping mishap of embarrassment after another, leaving him with a life he doesn’t even recognize anymore.
His once boring, lonely existence has been replaced by a brownstone filled with colorful friends, a rough around the edges, tattooed bad boy best friend, and a stripper for a boyfriend who’s not even sure he’s gay.
I’m going to say right off the bat that I adored this story. There is something about the characters, plot and writing style of C.C. Dado that just resonated with me. Its quirky, endearing, and the dialog is so appealing that you will find yourself smiling before you have finished reading the end of the sentence. And its all wrapped up by page 73!
Imposter in Zebra-striped Briefs by C.C. Dado is a first story for me by this author. But my fondness for this universe and endearing cast of characters is sending me on a quest for the first book in Dado’s The Seattle Chronicle series. But back to this story. David, the “imposter stripper” is not only not gay but ungainly as a dancer as well. Only the need to help out a younger brother, the real stripper, sends this man into the night in the afore mentioned zebra-striped briefs and a dancing gig at a bachelor party. A gay bachelor party.
Brandon and Josh are getting married which has set off a slew of life-changing events, including their own. Josh’s old apartment gets a new resident, and Josh gets a new, socially inept best friend in Nathan Harris. Oh, Nathan. I loved this character, Yes he has many of the same quirks you read in other nerdy and socially backward gay men, but in Nathan, somehow it all feels so fresh and adorable. Nathan also comes with one awful family he is fleeing and a yearning for someone to love. Little does he know that his future is uncomfortably wearing tight briefs and trying to “shake his booty” on the crowded party deck.
It all zipped by so quickly but I still remember the warm feelings and laugh out loud moments it left behind. Could you call this a “gay for you” story? Probably. HFN? That too. But whatever the trope, this sweet, layered romance is a delight you will want to revisit. I hope that Dado brings these characters back so we can see where their future takes them…and all their friends as well.
I loved Imposter in Zebra-striped Briefs by C.C. Dado and definitely recommend it to all lovers of romance and M/M contemporary fiction. Now I’m off to discover what the first book in the series has in store for me.
Cover art by Alexandria Corza. Honestly, not sure whether I like this cover art or not. Definitely eye catching, got the briefs but something about it is a little too harsh for the loving and endearing characters within.
Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | All Romance (ARe) | Amazon | 
Book Details:
ebook, 72 pages
Published July 1st 2015 by Dreamspinner Press
original titleImposter in Zebra-striped Briefs
ISBN139781634761352
edition languageEnglish
urlhttp://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
seriesThe Seattle Chronicles
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 