Title: Knight of Ocean Avenue
Series: Love in Laguna, #1
Author: Tara Lain
Genre: New Adult Romance
Length: Novel (254 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (May 1st 2015)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3 ¾ Hearts
Blurb: How can you be twenty-five and not know you’re gay? Billy Ballew runs from that question. A high school dropout, barely able to read until he taught himself, Billy’s life is driven by his need to help support his parents as a construction worker, put his sisters through college, coach his Little League team, and not think about being a three-time loser in the engagement department. Being terrified of taking tests keeps Billy from getting the contractor’s license he so desires, and fear of his mother’s judgment blinds Billy to what could make him truly happy.
Then, in preparation for his sister’s big wedding, Billy meets Shaz—Chase Phillips—a rising star, celebrity stylist who defines the word gay. To Shaz, Billy embodies everything he’s ever wanted—stalwart, honest, and brave—but even if Billy turns out to be gay, he could never endure the censure he’d get for being with a queen like Shaz. How can two men with so little in common find a way to be together? Can the Stylist of the Year end up with the Knight of Ocean Avenue?
ISBN: 978-1-63216-576-3
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=6281
Reviewer: Aerin
Review: I liked this book a lot, it was humorous and adorable! I loved Shaz, he was my favorite, such a sparkly personality in a small but magical package. Can you say Shazam?
The first half of this book was 5 stars, it was addicting! I loved Billy and his clueless ways, I mean he could’ve tripped and fell face first on a dick, love it and still not think he might be gay. I got a good laugh out of him, that’s for sure! And he even had gay cats, isn’t that so darn cute?
Shaz was just….Shaz! Never afraid to show who he is, Shaz was very brave in a town where it seems most of the population had homophobic tendencies. I loved Shaz (I know I said that before but it bears repeating ☺), which it’s a bit weird for me because normally very effeminate, outspoken, outrageous, in-your-face gay men are not my favorite. But somehow Shaz was effortlessly fabulous and he brought a lot of spark to this book.
The second half of the book was too cheesy for me, so maybe 3 stars. I needed some angst or something; I’m not sure what was missing, but I felt I needed something more. I found Shaz’s teaching ways very innovative; we’d all ace our tests if we had some Shaz magic in our lives.
However, I couldn’t stand Billy’s mom. What a freaking bitch! She was fine with Billy working his ass off to pay her bills, but she didn’t miss any opportunity to criticize him and do what she did best throughout the whole book: BITCH! I wanted to duct tape her mouth shut! She ruined this book for me, that’s for sure!
This was a great start to a new series and I’m looking forward to book #2, where Jim is going to mend his broken heart (literally). I was hoping we’d get Ru’s book sooner, but I guess some waiting didn’t kill anyone.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *