Title: Hard Candy
Series: Bend or Break, #7
Author: Amy Jo Cousins
Genre: Contemporary
Length: 133 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing (March 22nd 2016)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4 Hearts
Blurb: How to get over someone? Get under someone else—as soon as possible.
Vincent Lim always assumed his best friend (and occasional hookup) Austin would be waiting for him—that eventually they’d end up together. But now that Austin’s in love with another man, Vinnie is at a loss.
After the world’s most awkward one-night stand with a dance major, Vinnie knows the drill. Minimize the embarrassment by pretending they’ve never met. Yet Bryan’s vibrant spirit and calm center lure Vinnie like a shelter from an emotional storm.
But Vinnie’s thrown off his game by the rest of Bryan’s total package. Vinnie’s a rowing jock with a single-minded focus on living up to his parents’ academic and social expectations. Bryan might as well be outfitted with glittery butterfly wings—with plenty of pride to match. Vinnie’s haphazard attention to a lover won’t cut it this time.
Physically, they can match each other stroke for booty pop. But for the lovers to meet on common ground, they’ll have to find a way to get moving in the same direction.
Warning: Contains one uptight rower, a dancer who can rock a skirt like nobody’s business, yoga lessons, and the benefits of being very bendy.
ISBN: 9781619234468
Product Link: https://www.samhainpublishing.com/book/5749/hard-candy
Reviewer: Aerin
Review: I’m not sure whether to be happy or sad that this series is over, I have somewhat mixed feelings. I kind of want to celebrate its over because it was time to end this and I think this book is a nice strong end to this series.
I though Vinnie and Austin will get their happy ending together, but it wasn’t meant to be. I wasn’t very disappointed and I’m not sure that’s a good thing or not, but I’d like to think I just rolled with the punches. If Vinnie and Austin didn’t want to be together, who am I to force them?
Vinnie is this serious guy, all intense and focused in his studies to the point of obsession. He’s very proper, all slacks and khakis and button down shirts. Vinnie isn’t a very sexual being; in fact, the only times he has sex with Austin is when he’s had a lot to drink. Vinnie made me very sad, for him and in general, although I can’t figure out the exact reason why. What Vinnie needs is someone who’s the exact opposite of him, someone who can shake up his very monotonous life.
The person Vinnie needs is none other than flamboyant, effeminate Bryan, a dancer and yoga advocate. Bryan knows he stands out but doesn’t give a shit what people think about him. He doesn’t like to tone it down, even though Vinnie would very much like him to. He wears hot pink shirts and high-heeled boots, and if Vinnie is ashamed of him, then he can go to hell. Bryan doesn’t like to let other get close to him, because he’s been hurt and abandoned by the very people who were supposed to love him unconditionally.
Vinnie and Bryan’s relationship is more about enjoying each other’s company and genuinely liking to spend time together. They do yoga together, study together, make out and sensually explore each other’s bodies.
Neither Vinnie nor Bryan are too crazy about penetrative sex, but that works for them and makes them even more perfect for each other. Their sexual relationship is more sensual and intimate rather than steamy and dirty. I prefer a mixture of both, but in this case I though the lack of steam was fitting.
Their relationship isn’t perfect, because they have to deal with a homophobic parent and some homophobic douche bags who are students at the same campus. Problems arise, some more dramatic than others, but as long as Vinnie and Bryan focus on what’s important and don’t lose faith in one another they should be fine.
It’s been nice hanging out with these guys and their significant others, I wish them the best! And I’m certainly looking forward to Amy’s future stories, so let’s hope we won’t have to wait too long.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *