Title: Flawless
Series: Irresistible Attraction, #4
Author: Cat Grant
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella
Publisher: Riptide Publishing (April 22nd, 2013)
Reviewer: Thommie
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: Steve Campbell used to be a player, until a mid-life crisis opened his eyes to his long-repressed love for Connor, his soon-to-be-married best friend and business partner. Coming out at thirty-eight means learning how to date all over again, and this time, Steve’s not willing to settle for empty one-night stands. He wants the real thing.
Gil Alvarez has never had it easy, struggling through childhood and rejected by his family for a body that didn’t match who he was inside. A skilled driver and mechanic, he’s working hard to make his auto shop a success. The last thing he needs is a rich white guy in a candy-apple-red Ferrari tempting him, but Steve’s ready smile and easygoing manner prove irresistible.
One brief, intimate encounter leaves them both hungry for more. Gil’s not ashamed of who he is, but he’s terrified that Steve will reject him—or worse—when he discovers what Gil can’t find the courage to tell him.
Product Link: http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/flawless
Review: This title is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone.
Oh. I loved this book. It was almost as if I was looking at the couple next door. It faces the complication in relationships when communication is poor and bitterness along with a cruel life blinds you to what is.
In this book, we see Steve who at nearly forty years old is trying to embrace his life and his sexuality. As the book starts Steve thinks things are quite hard for him, but he will quickly realize how sheltered his life has been, especially compared to Gil, whose life has been one rejection after another and to top it all violence has had a good part of it too.
The two men are worlds apart, Steve wealthy and pampered, and Gil poor and always trying a bit harder for that longed for break. However, both of them have one thing in common and that is the way they view themselves. Steve doesn’t think he is the catch he is, not if you don’t count his money, and Gil, well he always has hated his body, a trap for his true self that he can’t overcome.
In the chase for love, both men fall in the same old problem, communication. As smart as Steve is, he is clueless to the hardships gay and Trans alike suffers and Gil has long ago lost faith that people will look at him like anything other than a freak.
As I said, I loved this book. Both characters were so, so lovable and by the time I hit “The End” I felt I didn’t get my fill. I want more of this lovely couple. We don’t get to see them in a relationship here; this book is all about the beginning of one and overcoming the difficulties that would make an impossible situation real. I get to meet Steve, who is an extremely attractive man, intelligent, sweet, and quite sexy. We get to see him move on from his crush with Connor and really make an effort to find happiness and fulfillment in his life. And we get to meet Gil who I fell in love immediately. Beside the hot description we get of him, Gil is the type of character you just want to crush in a bear hug and never let go.
As for the rest of the plot, it was a lovely, lovely story. Fast cars, races, and adrenaline rush along with the romance of the new relationship. It’ was dreamy and I enjoyed it immensely. This author’s writing style is so easy flowing that it lures you in the core of the story so effortlessly you don’t even realize it when you’ve hit the end pages.
As I mention in the beginning this is book #4 of the Irresistible Attraction series and while you can easily read it as a standalone you will feel the urge to get them all and devour them in one go. I certainly do. As it is if you’re in the mood for a great story this title will not disappoint you.
Strongly recommended.