Title: Husband Material
Series: N/A
Author: Xavier Mayne
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (350 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (January 24th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts
Blurb: Husband Material is a long-running reality show, where eighteen lucky guys compete for the hand of one lucky lady. Meet contestant number one, Riley. Since being left at the altar, he’s hit the gym to get into the best shape of his life. Now he’s in it to win it. Contestant number two, Asher, doesn’t really want the bachelorette; he needs the prize money for his sister’s cancer treatment. Asher’s upbeat personality brings Riley out of the funk he’s been in since his breakup. They make a formidable team, with one complication: Asher’s falling for Riley.
Producer Kaitlyn has her hands full when two bachelors are found in the shower soaping up inappropriately, then another live-tweets the entire debacle. If another scandal erupts, the network will cancel the show.
The two bachelors are on a collision course under the watchful eye of a producer torn between wanting them to find true love and trying to keep her show going. In the end, Riley must choose the bachelorette or the bachelor.
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4623
Reviewer: GiGi
Review: A new fun twist on the whole “reality” TV phenomenon. We get to imagine what happens behind the scenes, and of course get surprised by plenty of homoerotic encounters even among the straight players. Constants battle each other in hot silver paint, nearly nude loincloths, they climb mountains and create fine sculpture all while trying to impress their leading lady…or maybe each other? This highly entertaining novel shows us that even among the posturing, scheming, and showboating, true love can spark and grow…just not the way the show intended!
Riley has a lot to come to terms with, from his wounded heart to his deep denial of his attraction to another contestant. Asher, trying for a good cause, has to fight to win, and to protect his heart. Having been hurt by lovers experimenting with their sexuality, or in deep denial in his past, Asher tries but fails to protect himself from his deep attraction to Riley. A lot of slow sexual tension builds along with a strong bond, friendship, and eventually yes, love….but it is real, or is it the unusual environment of the reality TV set and set ups? Will Riley’s feelings last beyond the limelight? Or will we see Asher crushed once again?
This is a fun read, perfectly paced, and plenty of steamy and romantic scenes. I’ve never been a huge fan of the Bachelor/Bachelorette, but I’m a big fan of this book!