Title: Hot Water
Series: N/A
Author: Cassie Sweets
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (200 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 12th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Blurb: Summer never ends on the tiny South American island of Santa Juanita where the people are beautiful and the water is always—hot!
Dive master Clive Ducaine left a disastrous affair and corporate day job to pursue a simpler life. He has no regrets about his decision to move to Santa Juanita to teach tourists the fine art of spelunking. With the unlimited banquet of hot bodies and casual sex to fill his days and nights, he has truly found paradise on earth.
Eight years ago Trevor Donohue’s lover was gunned down on a New York street and died in Trevor’s arms. Life changed that day, and not for the better. Now, working as a VP for a medical manufacturing company leaves Trevor no time or desire for another relationship. But then, during his first vacation in years, he meets the resort’s sexy dive instructor, Clive.
Suddenly abandoning his tight schedules and video-meetings for a little vacation romance looks a lot more promising.
ISBN: 978-1-63216-467-4
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5796
Reviewer: Prime
Review: I really don’t know what to think of this book. I like because it isn’t over the top with drama – I had many scenarios running through my head, but none of them came to be. However, at the same time, it’s not too heavy on action, of any kind. But before I say anything about the main characters, Trevor and Clive, I have to say my absolute favourite character is a foul mouth ball of feathers – Clive’s pet bird Rodger. He is a foul-mouthed parrot who swears the most at people he likes.
I also like how the bird provides of comic relief and helps keeps the story on its feet, as his owner bumbles with his romance. Animal characters are always cool, particularly if they seem to be somewhat sentient like Rodger, because he sure does say the right things sometimes – a point that Clive does make for the reader and for Trevor. Many of his lines are from movies and though he swears it’s enough to give, at least me, a warm and fuzzy feeling.
Trevor and Clive run hot and cold when they are together. Trevor doesn’t rush into relationships. Clive, as a rule, only has hook ups. Trevor is on vacation at the resort where Clive works after being forced to take his vacation. Then Trevor wants to spend time with Clive but Clive doesn’t want to take a chance of actually getting his heart involved. Details of Trevor and Clive unfold slowly and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. The fact that these two men are stubborn often has them at cross purposes.
They both have their reasons for being who they. The one thing we know from the outset is that Trevor has already dealt with the loss of a lover when he was younger, a love that had changed the course of his career and a love that was probably more juvenile than mature. We also know Clive has also a bad relationship in the past and left everything behind, which is how he ended up as a dive instructor in another country.
This story goes at a slow but steady pace. It was an odd change for me because lately I’ve been ready fast-paced book with plenty of action. Regardless, it was enjoyable, particularly because of an event that happens in subtle but spectacular fashion, forcing Trevor and Clive to make some decisions. I’ll admit, it is a bit clichéd but the conclusion was satisfying to read, especially after what I’m calling “the event”.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *